My understanding of security mechanisms is shallow, but you've opened my eyes to new layers of knowledge I need to explore.
In a sense, my question about the security of my SecurID device answers itself. The fact that one of America's largest banks uses the SecurID system to identify someone living outside America's mobile-phone operator enabled security system is proof the bank finds value there. It's also delivering value for me (the customer) because I can use banking services from outside the USA.
Moving overseas as my wife and I did two years ago automatically makes you aware of the "outer limits" of America's infotech security system.
For instance, another bank we use wants mobile phone authentication when I access their website through a Virtual Private Network.
Only when I shut off my VPN, does my bank let me go ahead and access their website to see my accounts.
We are getting social security payments sent directly to our Japanese bank. Another 100,000 Americans living in Japan also enjoy this same convenient service offered by our federal government.
And yet we are being blocked and cannot access the my Social Security information site because we cannot receive mobile SMS messages to verify who we are. Yes, we do have telephone numbers in Japan (and even an Internet based U.S. phone number) but those numbers lie outside the security blanket of US mobile phone connections.
So how does Social Security communicate with us? Well, that's the role of the Federal Benefits Unit in Tokyo, operating out of the U.S. embassy, who maintains contact with all the Americans resident in Japan through postal letters, phone calls, and on-line-submitted exchange of info and questions.
So how does Social Security communicate with us? Well, that's the role of the Federal Benefits Unit in Tokyo, operating out of the U.S. embassy, who maintains contact with all the Americans resident in Japan through postal letters, phone calls, and on-line-submitted exchange of info and questions.
Interesting stuff pundit... I see a future book here - letting American newcomers know what to expect. You might want to file your experiences so when the time comes to write, the book will almost write itself.