The device hummed in agreement. And Arthur knew, with a cold, sinking certainty, that he had just registered for something far more dangerous than net banking.
The laptop screen changed.
Below it, a new line of text: Secure Key registered. You are now authenticated. You may close this window. hsbc register new secure key
The hum stopped. The new device on the floor glowed a soft, steady green. On his laptop, the HSBC login page reappeared. It was already logged in. His balance was displayed: £11,432.78. The device hummed in agreement
“This is ridiculous,” he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his other hand. His laptop, balanced precariously on a stack of phone books, displayed the dreaded red text: Secure Key not recognised. Please try again. Below it, a new line of text: Secure Key registered
He exhaled, a shaky, ragged sound. He reached for the new Secure Key. As his fingers touched it, the device spoke. Not a beep. Not a vibration. A voice. His own voice, but hollow, digital, and echoing from somewhere far away.
He slid the new device out of the envelope. It wasn't a fob. It was a slim, brushed-metal rectangle with a single, recessed button. No screen. He pressed it. Nothing happened.