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.
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).
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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)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:
How about, who needs this added security. Annoying.
It would be more annoying if your Apple ID got hacked :p
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.
I get the reason behind extra security for new devices and like the way Apple (and many other companies) have been doing this.
But having to to type in multiple extra responses beyond your account password simply to update an existing or new app on an existing device is ridiculous.
They better start doing a lot better job QAing apps to minimize updates or its going to drive business away.
Distinguishing between a new purchase and an update makes the most sense to me.
I don't see why updates even require the password. Is there any risk just allowing updates to occur as soon as you push the "update all" button? The apps are already on the device. Do I really want the downloads interrupted half way through with a dialog for one of the apps asking me to confirm that I'm still over 18? Is there anyone using Apple products that ages in reverse?
I agree with the extra security questions for any new purchase, however.