Account security centre (2024)

Questrade is committed to protecting your personal and financial information. We offer a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to safeguard your privacy and ensure that your personal information is secure. Our goal is to provide you with online access that is convenient, safe, and secure.

While we work hard to ensure our technology meets or exceeds industry standards, the best way to keep your investments and information secure is to work together with us. Take a look at our security best practices and Privacy Policy for helpful information as well as tips to enhance your online security.

You can also learn more about some of the common frauds and scams targeting the online financial services industry. No matter what type of device you log in to your account from—desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone—security is a shared responsibility.

We guarantee 100% reimbursem*nt for any unauthorized transactions in your Questrade account that result in direct losses, subject to certain conditions. For more information, check our Online Security Guarantee.

You can access your account only by providing the correct login credentials; i.e., your user ID and password. Along with these credentials, it is important for you to verify your phone and email in your Profile.

Doing this enables 2-step verification (2SV) as an added layer of security to help ensure only you can access your account information. With 2SV, we verify your identity by sending a time-sensitive, auto-generated verification code to your phone (by SMS text or phone call) or to your email address for you to enter online to confirm your identity.

To verify your phone and email, do the following:

Log in to your Questrade account
Under your name, click Profile
In your Profile, to the right of the fields with your Phone number and Email address, click VERIFY. A verification code is sent to you to enter online.
- Once you enter it successfully, 2SV is enabled at your next login. If you are verifying your phone number, you can choose to receive the code by SMS text or phone call. If you are verifying your email address, you will receive the code by email.
To save your Profile, click SAVE

Mobile authenticators

In addition to the 2SV options above, we also support mobile authenticators. A mobile authenticator is another form of multi-factor authentication, and can help provide additional security when accessing your account online.

Authenticators are mobile apps that generate a unique time-based, one-time password (TOTP) that needs to be entered in addition to the standard username and password.

Questrade now supports mobile authenticators, and you can set one up on your Settings page:

Trusted device

When you are enabled with 2SV, we keep a list of the trusted device(s) you use when you log in to your Questrade account, to ensure the security of your account access.

A trusted device is a computer or other device that is designated by you as what you use to log in to your Questrade account. When you log in using a trusted device, you are less likely to be asked to enter a verification code each time you log in.

A list of your trusted devices is maintained in your Settings > My trusted devices.

Biometric ID

If you have enabled biometric ID (fingerprint, touch, or face ID) on your mobile phone, you can also enable this for the Questrade app by logging in, going to Settings, and clicking Log in with [biometric] ID.

PIN (for contacting Customer Service)

You can set up a PIN (personal identification number) that you use to identify yourself—along with your account number—whenever you contact our Customer Service team by phone or chat.

Using a PIN reduces the number of security questions we ask you, which saves you time and gets you to the support you need more quickly.

To set up a PIN, log in to your Questrade account, go to Settings > Profile, click Edit, and, in the PIN field, enter 4 digits. To change your PIN, follow the same process
Only a primary account holder can set up a PIN

It’s important to monitor your account regularly so that, if you detect any unusual or suspicious activity, you can contact Questrade security right away.

At Questrade, we let you know when your account has been logged into from a different physical device, location, or browser.

Last login alerts

When you log in to your Questrade account, you can view details on the last time your account was accessed.

Questrade Trading and Edge Web

When you log in through a web browser, the last login alert will be visible briefly on the top right hand corner of your screen.

This is available next to the green Trade button. (The Profile menu & log out buttons are temporarily hidden by the last login widget.)

You can click the 3 dots next to the LOG OUT button anytime to view the last login details again once it disappears.

If you’d like more information on the login, what computer it was from and where, you can click the blue highlighted area for more info.

QuestMobile

When you log in using the QuestMobile App, you can also view your last login details in the main Menu (available from the top left hand side of the main screen after logging in).

The last login details are visible at the very top of your menu, and show the approximate last login time for your account.

You can also tap the blue highlighted text to view a popup with more information about your last login including:

The date and time of the login
The operating system used
The approximate location

Note: VPN usage and other factors may affect your last login location’s accuracy.

Questrade app

When you log in using our legacy mobile application, you can also view your last login alerts.

Click the main Menu, and your last login information is visible at the bottom of the page right under the LOG OUT button.

If you’re interested in viewing more information about your last login, you can also click the text to view a popup similar to what’s shown above.

FAQs

What is the answer of the security question? ›

The answer to a good security question should be obvious. In addition, it should be easy to remember, but at the same time remain secret to others. The answer should be immediately remembered as soon as the user receives the security question.

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What do you write in a security answer? ›

To ensure you have a strong password, you should include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Your security answer should be something memorable for you, but not easy for someone to guess or find online.

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Why do I have to answer security questions? ›

Security questions are usually used by banks, online services, etc. The purpose of asking such questions is to add another layer of security alongside your password.

What are some security questions and answers? ›

Here are examples of some common security questions:

In what city were you born?
What is the name of your favorite pet?
What is your mother's maiden name?
What high school did you attend?
What was the name of your elementary school?
What was the make of your first car?
What was your favorite food as a child?

More items...

Jul 26, 2022

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What if I forgot the answer to my security question? ›

If you forgot both your security question answers, there are two things you can do. If you have a computer that you have chosen to “Remember computer” on, you can log in on that computer and reset your security questions.

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What is a secret question answer? ›

Secret questions usually ask for an obscure fact that hopefully only the account owner would know and supposedly would never forget. Many Web sites assume that the user providing the answer to the question is sufficient to identify the user.

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How to fill security questions? ›

The security question should be factual and not change over time. For example, your preferred musical genre, favorite song, or work address might change, but the city you were born in won't. Unpredictable. Don't make the answer something others can easily guess or research.

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What is security in answer? ›

the state of being or feeling secure; freedom from fear, anxiety, danger, doubt, etc.; state or sense of safety or certainty. 2. something that gives or assures safety, tranquillity, certainty, etc.; protection; safeguard.

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What security questions do banks ask? ›

System-defined security questions

Because your bank has a wealth of your personal and financial information readily available, system-defined questions are easy to facilitate. For example, “what was your last purchase?” or “who else is authorized to withdraw money from your account?” make excellent security questions.

Should you answer security questions honestly? ›

Plus, you should never answer security questions honestly. Your favorite pet or the street you grew up on or your mother's maiden name are all not secret information. Many of my friends and family know the answers to all of these.

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What does it mean when it says security question? ›

A security question is a form of shared secret used as an authenticator. It is commonly used by banks, cable companies and wireless providers as an extra security layer.

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Why do I need a security question? ›

Security questions are meant to help reset passwords, reopen locked accounts, and ultimately protect your digital spaces from attacks or breaches, but such safeguarding is widely considered flawed and unreliable .

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How do you answer a security questionnaire? ›

Your security questionnaire responses should clearly answer the question being asked, including only relevant details and evidence. Always request further explanation from the client organization for any ambiguous questions rather than assuming the answer.

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How do you answer security interview questions? ›

The applicant should be able to show you that they have a passion for the job and that they want to work for you. Sample Answer: I want to work for your company because I understand the importance of a security team to your property. I know that my job is to keep your staff and property safe from harm.

What is computer security answers? ›

computer security, the protection of computer systems and information from harm, theft, and unauthorized use. Computer hardware is typically protected by the same means used to protect other valuable or sensitive equipment—namely, serial numbers, doors and locks, and alarms.

What is the security question on an e-transfer? ›

The use of the security question and answer acts as an additional security measure to validate that only the sender's intended recipient can collect the Interac e-Transfer(s). The sender sets the question when they send the transfer. The question is something only the intended recipient can answer.

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