Consider These Effective Private Security Questions

Security questions are a common encounter we all take part in.

Many online platforms use them as a form of identity authentication, and for a good reason. The internet makes it easy for unscrupulous elements to discover personal information.

If you’re worried about account security, here are some good security questions you can use.

What are Security Questions?

Security questions are a type of authentication that aim to prevent unauthorized logins to company platforms. Security questions are open-ended questions that appear during a login attempt. A correct answer grants the user access to the platform, while a wrong answer like “Who is your closest relative” will deny access.

Security questions are set up during the account creation process for an online service. They are a simple security measure that provides an extra layer of protection from malicious third-party attempts to access your account.

These questions are often things that only the user knows. They are often very personal questions that other people are not able to learn about on their own without extensive research. They are not intended to be questions that a malicious attacker could learn by guessing.

Security questions are not meant to be a standalone measure. Rather, they are meant to complement existing measures such as 2FA, passwords, and others. Alone, security questions may not seem like a strong security tool.

Remember that story where a man asked his sons to break sticks? The sticks broke when bent alone but held firm when bent as a bunch.

Consider These Effective Private Security Questions — Photo by Franck on Unsplash

The Importance of Security Questions

Good Security Questions

Where did your parents meet?
In which state were you born?
What’s the name of your childhood best friend?
What is your mother’s maiden name?
Where did you attend your first concert?
What is your eldest sibling’s middle name?
What was the make, trim, and model of your first car?
In what city did you first meet your spouse?
Who was the boy or girl you first kissed?
What school were you attending when you had your first french kiss?
What’s the nickname of your youngest child?
What was the name of your first stuffed animal?
Where did you have your first kiss?
What was the first exam you failed?
What was the first dish you mastered?

In Summary

Security questions are a standard part of platform security. They appear during account creation, where users choose a question that only they can answer. These questions usually focus on personal information.

Avoid questions that are easy to guess. They are a major security risk, considering the fact that the internet makes it easy for people to stalk others online. Stick with answers that are memorable, unique, consistent, and unpredictable.

These good security questions should serve as a basis for choosing one for your account. Stay safe!