How Qtrade Direct Investing keeps your money and accounts secure
Quick answer: Qtrade protects your investments through multiple layers of security: our dealer, Aviso Financial Inc., is a Member of Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) , 256-bit encryption, two-factor authentication, a separate trading password and banking verification through Flinks. Qtrade also offers a 100% reimbursement guarantee for losses from unauthorized activity*, provided you've taken reasonable steps to protect your own account.
Starting to invest online often comes with one nagging question: what happens to my money if something goes wrong? It's a fair thing to ask, and you deserve a clear answer.
Qtrade builds security into every layer of your account, from the moment you sign up to the moment you place a trade. Here's some of the steps we're taking to protect your investments, and what you can do to keep your side of the equation just as secure.
What protections does Qtrade have on your account?
Your investments are backed by several overlapping safeguards, so no single point of failure puts your account at risk.
- CIPF membership. Aviso Financial Inc., Qtrade's dealer, is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). If Aviso Financial Inc. were ever to become insolvent, CIPF provides coverage for property held in your account, within set limits.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA). You'll set this up when you open your account. Every login requires a code sent to your phone, so a stolen password alone isn't enough to get in.
- A separate trading password. Beyond your login password, you have the option to set a distinct trading password required to buy or sell securities.
- 256-bit encryption. Any personal or sensitive information you send to Qtrade is encrypted from the moment it leaves your device until it reaches Qtrade's systems. This is among the strongest encryption standards used commercially today.
- Flinks banking verification. When you link a bank account to deposit or withdraw funds, Qtrade uses Flinks to confirm that the details of the bank account holder matches that of the Qtrade account holder , closing off a common avenue for fraud.
- Session timeouts. If you are not actively using your account while logged in, your session will timeout after 30 minutes. This protects against unauthorized users accessing your account if your browser page is left open.
- The Qtrade Security Guarantee. If you experience a loss from unauthorized activity in your account through no fault of your own, Qtrade reimburses you 100%.*
What's your role in keeping your account secure?
Security is a shared responsibility, and a few habits go a long way:
- Check your account often. Reviewing your activity regularly helps you catch anything unusual early.
- Protect your passwords. Never share your login or trading password and avoid reusing passwords across sites.
- Keep your devices clean. Install up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
- Update your browser and operating system. Outdated software is one of the easiest entry points for attackers.
- Secure your internet connection. Be especially careful with public or unsecured wireless networks.
- Stay alert to online fraud. If something feels off, like an unexpected email asking for your password, trust that instinct and verify before you act.
Qtrade and you: Partners in keeping your accounts safe
Knowing how your investments are protected is the first step toward investing with confidence. Qtrade handles the infrastructure: the encryption, the verification and the protections through our guarantee. You handle the habits: strong passwords, regular check-ins and a healthy dose of skepticism toward anything that looks suspicious.
Together, that's a partnership built to keep your money doing what you need it to: growing your wealth.
* We will fully reimburse your Qtrade account if we conclude that there was unauthorized activity resulting in a loss and the activity occurred through no fault of your own. We will also need to ensure that the activity was not initiated by you (the account owner) or by someone whom you allowed to access your account, either purposefully or inadvertently.
The information contained in this article was obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, we cannot guarantee that it is accurate or complete. This material is for informational and educational purposes, and it is not intended to provide specific advice including, without limitation, investment, financial, tax or similar matters. Information, figures, and charts are summarized for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change without notice. All investments are subject to risk, including the possible loss of principal.