Market Talk / Jan. 7 - 13

[James48843]

Reminder from the TSP website:

January 15th - The stock and bond markets will be closed on Monday, January 15th, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Consequently, the Thrift Savings Plan will also be closed. Transactions that would have been processed Monday night (January 15th) will be processed Tuesday night (January 16th), at Tuesday's closing share prices.

Special Notice: On-line withdrawal transactions are currently unavailable; however, all other account transactions are available at this time. You can obtain information about the status of a withdrawal by calling the ThriftLine (1-877-968-3778) and selecting option 1 (account access) or by speaking to a TSP participant service representative. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

[James48843]

This- from the TSP website account access section:

***************** SECURITY NEWS *******************

Many participants have seen recent press reports regarding proper protection of personal information while transacting business on-line. These reports often note the constantly evolving nature of the threat. Participants using the TSP Web site (or any Web site) must be vigilant and protect their computers; the TSP cannot be responsible for their negligence. The TSP will ensure that its security is current and that the risk of fraudulent activity is reduced to the greatest extent possible.

To illustrate the importance of participant vigilance, in late December the computers of several TSP participants were infected with keylogging software. This software allowed criminals to record all key strokes made by the participant without the participant’s knowledge and to learn the participant’s TSP PIN and other account information.

We were able to identify approximately two dozen participants who had relatively small amounts withdrawn from their accounts and electronically forwarded to fraudulent accounts. Although we are working with the financial companies involved for the return of the funds, the total amount of loss involved is approximately $35,000. All affected participants have been notified.

We emphasize that the account information for these participants was not improperly obtained from the TSP record keeping system. External penetration testing has demonstrated that our system has not been breached. There is no evidence of any successful attacks against the system to identify a PIN and thus obtain access.

We have concluded that the personal information was compromised when keyloggers monitored each keystroke made by these participants while they entered their TSP information into their own computer. We are working with the U.S. Secret Service, which has found that such personal information is increasingly available on keylogger lists that are for sale through criminal networks.

The cases identified all involve electronic funds transfers. Criminals prefer this “paperless” way to steal money. As an added security measure, we have discontinued making these electronic payments for on-line transactions.

While anyone can be a victim of keylogging, individuals whose computers are not protected with updated security software (that includes firewalls, anti-virus and spyware detection) are most vulnerable. We strongly urge all participants to ensure the adequacy of security on their computers by installing keylogger protection and promptly closing their browser after each visit to their TSP account information on the Web site. These steps will reduce your exposure. This practice should be followed for all on-line access to any financial account. (To close your browser, click the X at the top of your internet screen – logging off a Web site does not clear your browser’s memory.)

If you are uncertain about your computer’s safeguards, please do not expose yourself to risk. Get assistance to protect your computer – see our FAQs and the tips available on many government and financial institutions’ Web sites. You may also use the TSP Thriftline or paper forms to conduct your business with the TSP.

The TSP takes the protection of your account very seriously. Over the coming months, the TSP will be introducing a number of enhancements to the Web site, including a new alert message, more robust Web passwords, and TSP account numbers which will replace the use of the Social Security numbers for most TSP purposes. We will announce these upcoming changes as we implement them. Please be assured that we will make every effort to strike the right balance between ease of use and ensuring the safety and security of your retirement savings.

************************************

Press "ENTER" key or click "Continue" to proceed.

 

[FundSurfer]

Be interesting to see if the terrorism attack on US embassy in Greece will affect the markets. Unfortunitely I will not be near a computer before the deadline. I'll stick to G. Wouldn't want my TSP account hacked because I logged in using a free WiFi at the airport.

 

[FundSurfer]

Talking about key loggers, the worst place is actually the free computers set up at hotels. I never use those computers to log into any accounts.

 

[weatherweenie]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Retail sales rose in December at the strongest pace in five months, indicating that the all-important holiday shopping season turned out better than original reports indicated.
The Commerce Department said Friday that retail sales increased 0.9 percent last month, the strongest showing since a 1.4 percent increase in July. The increase was better than the 0.7 percent advance that economists had forecast and provided evidence that consumer spending was ending the year on a firmer footing than initially thought.

 

[weatherweenie]

08:33 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -1.7. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -0.5. December retail sales rose 0.9% (consensus 0.7%) while sales, ex-autos, rose a surprisingly strong 1.0% (consensus 0.5%) to also suggest consumer spending remains solid, especially during the crucial holiday shopping season. However, with the market still sensitive to the potential of stronger than expected data diminishing the likelihood of a Fed rate cut, and November's data being revised lower, the reaction in S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures has so far been muted.

 

[airlift]

Please note that I have tried to open the TSP.gov webpage a few times today. I can't gain access to my account for some reason. If anyone has the correct Toll free nunbers and the prompts or sub-numbers we have to enter, I will appreciate that you post this information in the event that we are forced to use the number to do the ITF's today. Thanks in advance!

 

[ATCJeff]

Please note that I have tried to open the TSP.gov webpage a few times today. I can't gain access to my account for some reason. If anyone has the correct Toll free nunbers and the prompts or sub-numbers we have to enter, I will appreciate that you post this information in the event that we are forced to use the number to do the ITF's today. Thanks in advance!

ThriftLine Telephone Numbers

From the 50 States, including the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and Canada, call the following numbers toll-free:​

Telephone:​

1-TSP-YOU-FRST (1-877-968-3778)TDD: 1-TSP-THRIFT5 (1-877-847-4385)
(for hearing-impaired participants)

International callers who cannot use the toll free number should call (404) 233-4400 (not toll free).​

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

The TSP is the primary contact for participants who have left Federal service. If you are currently employed, your primary contact for TSP information is your agency or service. TSP participant service representatives also handle questions about loans, contribution allocations, interfund transfers, designations of beneficiaries, and withdrawals for all participants. You can reach our participant service representatives by calling the ThriftLine (see above). Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday,
7:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. eastern time. Telephone: 1-TSP-YOU-FRST (1-877-968-3778)TDD: 1-TSP-THRIFT5 (1-877-847-4385)
(for hearing-impaired participants)

International callers who cannot use the toll free number should call (404) 233-4400 (not toll free).​

 

[airlift]

Thank you.

ThriftLine Telephone Numbers

From the 50 States, including the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and Canada, call the following numbers toll-free:​

Telephone:​

1-TSP-YOU-FRST (1-877-968-3778)TDD: 1-TSP-THRIFT5 (1-877-847-4385)

 

[ATCJeff]

Please note that I have tried to open the TSP.gov webpage a few times today. I can't gain access to my account for some reason. If anyone has the correct Toll free nunbers and the prompts or sub-numbers we have to enter, I will appreciate that you post this information in the event that we are forced to use the number to do the ITF's today. Thanks in advance!

Tsp.gov up and running on my end...no problem logging into my account.

 

[Fivetears]

Curious; what advantage what does free wireless have over your own wireless for a "keystroke compromise" act.

Be interesting to see if the terrorism attack on US embassy in Greece will affect the markets. Unfortunitely I will not be near a computer before the deadline. I'll stick to G. Wouldn't want my TSP account hacked because I logged in using a free WiFi at the airport.

 

[ChemEng]

Wpa.

 

[Fivetears]

and? 128 bit Encryption? Properly configured firewall?

Wpa.

 

[Fivetears]

Wasn't Greece that fine country that gave us a hard time about using their air space during Desert Storm.

 

[nnuut]

and? 128 bit Encryption? Properly configured firewall?

Check for blocked Popups, happened to me at work!!

 

[Oldcoin]

Please note that I have tried to open the TSP.gov webpage a few times today. I can't gain access to my account for some reason. If anyone has the correct Toll free nunbers and the prompts or sub-numbers we have to enter, I will appreciate that you post this information in the event that we are forced to use the number to do the ITF's today. Thanks in advance!

I'm having the same problem. Hope they get it fixed soon.

 

[airlift]

Now I feel better knowing that Oldcoin also is experiencing problems. I thought it was me only!

 

[SkiUtah]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I am getting programming code when I try to access tsp.gov. never a good sign.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]System error[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]error: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]Can't open file /home/webmas/websites/www.tsp.gov/docs/account/includes/outage.txt
[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]context: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]... [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]326: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]327: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]328: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]<%def .outage_message>[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]329: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]% my $outage_file = "/home/webmas/websites/www.tsp.gov/docs/account/includes/outage.txt";[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]330: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]% open(OUTF, $outage_file) or die "Can't open file $outage_file\n";[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]331: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]% use Date::Manip;[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]332: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]% my $today = UnixDate(ParseDate("today"), "%Y%m%d%H");[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]333: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]% my $daterange = <OUTF>;[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]334: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]% my ($startdate,$enddate) = split(/\|/, $daterange, 2);[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]... [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]code stack: [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]/home/webmas/websites/www.tsp.gov/docs/index.html:330
/home/webmas/websites/www.tsp.gov/docs/index.html:181
[/SIZE][/FONT]raw error

 

[Nimrod1193]

It appears to be back up now.

 

[James48843]

And back down again- this time the account access page greets you with a message that says:

[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]