General

Security questions can be used as an extra level of security when your clients contact you in order to verify their identify. You can then prompt them for the answer to the question they selected. Also, when resetting their password from the client area, the client will be prompted to select their security question, and enter the answer before a new password will be generated.


Where to find

Menu bar (fig. 1) >> "User name" >> Change security question

Figure 1: where to find "Security question"


Change your "Security question"

As shown in figure 1 and 2 you can change it into any question and answer thats easy and save for you.

Don't leave the current question as it is.

Figure 2: Changing a "Security question"

When is it asked?

In case of a password reset, Flightmap prompts you your security question (fig. 3) that you need to answer with your secret answer. Use the same answer as you entered before (including capitols, spaces or numbers).

Figure 3: As you reset your password the "security question" is asked. But don't use this example

How to choose a security question

A typical security option is setting up a security question. While this potentially provides a quick and easy way to recover your account, it also presents a security liability in case the answer is easy to guess or research.


Some websites have realized that standard security questions, such as ‘What is your mother’s maiden name?’ or ‘What is your pet’s name?’, are far too easy to figure out, even by strangers. If you have heard of the guy who hacked into dozens of celebrity email accounts, you will understand. Essentially, this guy could gain access to the star’s email accounts by guessing email addresses, passwords, and finding out answers to security questions.


The same is happening to regular people, as a comment to one of my articles highlighted. A jealous spouse or an angry ex-partner can cause a lot of trouble if they gain access to your online accounts. It’s better to prepare for the worst and not give an ill-natured individual the chance to harm you. Fortunately, most websites now allow users to set custom security questions.

What Makes A Good Security Question?


First and foremost, you will want to pick a security question that is very hard to guess or find out, both for strangers and for people who know you well. On the other hand, the answer should be easy to remember for yourself. Keeping in mind that you may have to answer the question in a few years from now, the answer shouldn’t change over time or at least you should be able to answer it correctly in the future.


Let’s summarize these 3 basic principles:


  •    Hard to guess or find out;
  •    Easy to remember;
  •    Doesn’t change over time;


Options