Secret Questions

Where were you born? What's your favorite sports team? What's your mom's maiden name? These are all "secret" questions you're asked when registering your bank account, credit card and every other service online. The questions are meant to help protect your identity; they can also add an extra layer of protection.

Before choosing your question and offering the answer, consider these tips:

1. Begin/end responses with the same number, (e.g., your son was born on the 12th of the month and your mother's maiden name is "Jones" your response might be "12Jones12").
2. Select security questions that few people (if anyone) know the answer; avoid picking the question that nearly everyone can answer, (e.g., if you're a big Cubs fan, don't choose the "favorite sports team" question).
3. Combine the question with the name of your favorite TV show, (e.g., the answer to your favorite sports team question might be "YankeesCSI").

As with passwords, the answer to secret questions should be kept confidential, yet easy to remember. Click for information.