You never really know who your friends are

[cynic51]

I had to make a call to a tech support number tonight. At one point they wanted to confirm my ID by asking my security question, which was "who was your childhood best friend?" I got it WRONG. Twice. My third try was also wrong and they politely disconnected me. Apparently, my childhood memories are completely bogus. It appears the security

Comments

[aspasia93]

I opt for "mother's maiden name" whenever possible -- then submit a word that is not my mother's actual maiden name or in any way related to it.

I don't give a crap who knows my mom's real maiden name, because they can call in and offer that all they damn well please -- they'll never access any of my account info. No signed affidavit from me or death certificate -- no access.

Arbitrary strings allowed

[aspasia93]

I often just treat such questions as a second password - using a random word in no way related to the question. I've been known to answer all three questions exactly the same way which, while less secure than different answers, returns the control of the security level to me. I.e. for one place where it really doesn't matter, the answer to every single one of not three, but five security questions is "peach".

-micah

[indy_was_here]

I recently had to complete a forty-some page online background check (to get my shiny new NASA security badge) where-in part of the login was answering security question of your own choosing. My question was "What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"