Three-Factor Authentication Eyed For UserI.D.

PALO ALTO, Calif. - (08/01/05) -- While leading-edge financial serviceproviders are busy implementing two-factor user log-ins--those thatauthenticate the user to the site and the site to the user--E-TradeFinancial sees a third way--three factor sign-in. So E-Trade, theelectronic securities broker, is exploring software that would scanthe remote user's computer for viruses and other outside invasions.The virus-scanning software would supplement the two-factorauthentication already available to E-Trade customers and preventthe spread of viruses, spyware and phishing trackers.