I just completed a Web site registration where they asked me for a secret question and answer in case I forget my password. One of the possible questions was “In what city were you living at age 14?”
What is up with all these secret questions that only make sense for people who—unlike me—pretty much lived in one or two places growing up? I can’t be sure I would consistently answer questions like that, or questions like “Who was your childhood best friend?”, since I moved every one to three years throughout my entire life.
I lived in two different places the year I was 14—Huntsville, AL and El Paso, TX.
My childhood best friend changed every year or two, mostly because my city of residence changed that often.
So those questions make no sense at all for me. Unfortunately, some sites try to make the secret question choices so incredibly obscure, they pretty much make it impossible for me to pick something I would actually remember. So my secret answer becomes just another password of sorts to write down somewhere so I don’t forget it.
Aargh. Just wanted to vent.
Lyn - I’m writing a book on military brat experiences. If you care to share, please email me. Thanks.
Preston - What about all those piece of crap sites that say “anywhere in the world” and then make you pick your state? That, in my opinion, is a much bigger gripe than the password question. That is just a security hole anyway, remember that most of your friends know where you lived when you were 14 (not in your case obviously but you get the idea). I’ve always answered those “Lost Password” questions with utter BS so I don’t get hacked.