Hackers Highlight Investors' Need for a Back Door to Their Brokers

There's no reason for E*Trade (EGRP Quote) customers to panic over Wednesday's disruption of service by hackers.

It turned out to be little more than a costly prank. Access -- not account data -- was at risk. But the incident highlights the advantages of working with an online broker that gives you ways to bypass the Internet in an emergency: direct dial-up access to your account, good phone customer service and real-world branch offices. ...