Apple Enhancing Apple ID Safety by Enforcing Security Question Requirements
The Next Web reports that Apple has begun enhancing the security of users' Apple ID accounts, requiring those who have do not have alternate email addresses and security questions on file to add them.
Hacking of iTunes Store accounts has been a long-standing complaint from a number of users, but with over 225 million user accounts, they make for a popular target for phishing, brute force hacking, and other methods. The company has occasionally taken steps to improve account security such as last August's addition of confirmation emails when content is purchased from a previously-unused device, and the company undoubtedly evaluates its security practices on an ongoing basis.
In the past 24 hours, Apple appears to have started prompting iOS devices owners and those with Apple IDs within iTunes to make their accounts more secure, requiring them to pick three security questions and enter their answers when they download a new app.
The company is also asking users to enter a backup email address, in order to better protect their device but also their account (which is tied to Apple’s Retail website and all of its media services).
Hacking of iTunes Store accounts has been a long-standing complaint from a number of users, but with over 225 million user accounts, they make for a popular target for phishing, brute force hacking, and other methods. The company has occasionally taken steps to improve account security such as last August's addition of confirmation emails when content is purchased from a previously-unused device, and the company undoubtedly evaluates its security practices on an ongoing basis.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
15 months ago
Do users realize that the best strategy is to give non-sequitur responses to this kind of question: The first school you attended was: tangerine trees.
Right, because inevitably your first reaction to your security questions after you forget your password is "Why yes, my first school was tangerine trees." :rolleyes:
15 months ago
How about, who needs this added security. Annoying.
It would be more annoying if your Apple ID got hacked :p
15 months ago
How about combining multiple ID's? It'd be nice as over the years many have used different email addresses, etc. and having to enter/authorize all of them is a PITA.
15 months ago
Does Apple suggest that you not put answers to your security questions that can be looked up from public sources -- like a Facebook account? :rolleyes:
Do users realize that the best strategy is to give non-sequitur responses to this kind of question: The first school you attended was: tangerine trees.
Do users realize that the best strategy is to give non-sequitur responses to this kind of question: The first school you attended was: tangerine trees.
15 months ago
I hate this... Security questions are useless if you use good passwords. They actually make it easier to hack an account because they are usually things found out pretty easily.
This is only good for those people that use stupid passwords like the names of their children, dog, or top-100 common ones like 'sunshine' or 'password'.
This is only good for those people that use stupid passwords like the names of their children, dog, or top-100 common ones like 'sunshine' or 'password'.
15 months ago
Does Apple suggest that you not put answers to your security questions that can be looked up from public sources -- like a Facebook account? :rolleyes:
Do users realize that the best strategy is to give non-sequitur responses to this kind of question: The first school you attended was: tangerine trees.
The question is: Do you actually put in right answers for these questions? Obviously, I don't.
15 months ago
It's sad how the terms "hack", "hacked", "hackers" have been mutilated with the advent of online accounts. :(
15 months ago
Great... Another hoop I have to jump through just because people are dumb enough to keep falling for phishing attempts that ask them for their login details!
You people deserve what you get :mad:
You know, you're absolutely right. Why should you have to go to all that horrible, burdensome trouble just because there are many people not as incredibly sophisticated as you.
Yup, all those people who just enjoy using iOS devices, but are not wise to the ways of the electronics, deserve to get ripped off. No, actually, they deserve to have their iPads and iPhones taken away from them!
Ah, hell, just kill the assholes so you won't be inconvenienced.
Yup, I feel your pain...all that bother for security that you don't need.
:rolleyes:
[ Read All Comments ]
As noted by The Verge, Microsoft has released a new Windows 8 tablet ad that uses Siri to highlight a few of the iPad's shortcomings, depicting the ASUS VivoTab Smart tablet as a robust...
Realmac's gesture-based list making iPhone app Clear has been updated to version 1.2.2, adding a feature that allows users to email their lists to other people. When viewing a list, Clear users...
In an event today at the CTIA conference, case maker OtterBox announced it was acquiring waterproof case maker LifeProof.
OtterBox will keep LifeProof's San Diego location and employees will...
Google has announced plans to roll out an update to the iOS version of Chrome that will enable voice searching. The feature will function similarly to Siri on the iPhone, requiring a tap on the...
Forbes reports that former Gartner research director Michael Gartenberg has joined Apple. While his exact position at Apple hasn't been revealed, Gartenberg is said to be working under Apple...
Twitter has updated its Mac app today, adding notification support. When a Direct Message or mention is received, users will now be alerted with a popup notification. This option can be configured in...
FiftyThree, the developer behind the popular sketching app Paper, has posted a lengthy article examining the new Zoom feature that was added to Paper earlier this month.
Zoom is one of those UI...
As noted by Gizmodo, iLoveHandles has launched a new Trunk Lightning charging cable for the iPhone 5, offering an innovative posable design that allows the short cable to also serve as a stand for...
