Why was my WRDS account suddenly banned?

WRDS is a platform that provides access to various financial and economic data sources for research and analysis purposes. WRDS has recently enabled two-factor authentication (2FA) for all users to protect the data and the users' accounts from unauthorized access. 2FA is a security measure that requires users to verify their identity with a second factor, such as a code sent to their phone or email, in addition to their password. This makes it harder for hackers or intruders to log in as someone else, even if they know their password.

However, 2FA may also cause user login problems, depending on their device, browser, network, or operation. For example, some users may not receive the verification code on time, enter the wrong code by mistake, or change their phone number or email address without updating their WRDS account. In some cases, these problems may result in the user’s account being blocked or temporarily banned by WRDS until they can verify their identity.

If you have encountered any login issues related to 2FA or your WRDS account has been banned, as shown in the following picture, you need to email wrds-support@wharton.upenn.edu directly for assistance.