Players at the USA-friendly CEREUS Network sites UB.com and Absolute Poker will now be able to make it a lot more difficult for their accounts to be compromised by using security tokens. The security measure was introduced this week and can be purchased in the UB Points Store.
UB.com’s Joe Sebok was elated to bring the added layer of security to life for players on his home online poker site. Sebok commented in a press release distributed by CEREUS officials this week, “We are committed to doing everything possible to safeguard our network and players and we want to provide every option to boost their personal security, particularly those who keep sick amounts of cash in their accounts day-to-day. The security token will provide the most up-to-date security solution to ensure that every player’s personal information and bankroll are always protected.”
If you’ve never heard of a security token, it’s a small device that generates a numeric code. When you log into your UB.com or Absolute Poker account, you’ll need your user name and password along with the code generated by the security token. If you don’t have all three pieces of information, then you won’t be able to sign in. The code randomly generates and will be different from login to login. Just press the button located on the device, which is synched with UB.com’s servers, to see what the code is.
Therefore, if your user name and password are compromised, a would-be hacker won’t be able to log into UB.com or Absolute Poker without the code generated by the security token. CEREUS officials have dubbed it a “two-factor authentication process: the password plus the unique security code generated by the ‘one-button’ device.”
The security token is available for 6,500 points in the UB Points Store and a separate link is given for players from Canada to purchase one. Text found on UB.com explains the importance of coughing up the necessary points for a security token: “Because the code is only displayed on your security token and nowhere else, your account will remain safe in the event that your username and password fall into the wrong hands.”
Once you receive your security token in the mail, you’ll need to log into UB.com to activate it. Just click on the “Cashier,” “Account Information,” and then “Security” and you’ll be on your way. If you incorrectly enter your security token code three times, then you’ll be locked out of your account. To be reinstated, contact UB security via e-mail at security@ub.com.
Players on the CEREUS Network can also elect to use a SecureID pin number, a five-digit code that must be entered at login in order to access the virtual felts. The SecureID Pin was introduced to UB.com in the middle of 2009 and can be used in tandem with the security token. To access the SecureID Pin, visit the “Security” menu within the UB.com software.
Other online poker sites also offer security tokens to protect their players. Full Tilt Poker offers branded and un-branded security keys for 5,000 points in the store that generate a unique six-digit code every 30 seconds. The site also boasts a mobile version of its security key that can be utilized on a cell phone. The price of PokerStars’ RSA security token varies based on a player’s status in the VIP program.
UB.com and Absolute Poker happily accept players from the United States. The former’s team of sponsored pros includes Sebok, Poker News Daily Guest Columnist Annie Duke, and 11-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth.
Now that’s a joke! UB and AP had some security problems with superusers, missing Hand Historys and SSL encryption!!! UB/AP is making online poker look bad and should be shut down and the owners sent to jail.