Why are Mother's Maiden names often used to access high security, or confidential information?

Is it that difficult to find out what an individual's mother's maiden name is?

Everybody knows their own, typically nobody knows anybody else's.

They're rarely used to access 'high security'. They're used to access confidential info because they're a low level security question. Very few people know the maiden name of someone else's mom, but it's certainly not 'high security'.

Useful identity theft hint......... If a bank website or the like asks for your mothers maiden name, give them a false one. Someone else may be able to find out what your mothers maiden name *really* is - but they have no way to know that you told the bank it was "Rumplestiltskin" os the like.

Richard

I don't think it would be that hard for someone to find out another persons Mother's Maiden name to gain access high to security or confidential information and that is why they have other items needed to be able to gain this access. Maybe this is used to find out if someone is trying with criminal intentions.

it isn't impossible, but it does take a bit of work (and time) to get mother's maiden name.

Lots of security features aren't designed to keep someone out permanenetly- just to make it enough work that they go to the next "opportunity"

It tends to be more difficult to find out someone's mothers maiden name. More than likely, the name has changed, so the mother wouldn't be recognized by that name either. It's information that typically only you would know.

Exactly! Most people know ur last name but they dont know the last name of ur mom before she was married?
That's not a fact u usually share with someone when u meet them.

It's not like in a conversation it just comes up like "Hi my name is Mar, im 22 im a taurus and my moms maiden name was Ciccone. "

Because it is easy to remember and kind of hard to find out. IT isnt used alone to access high security information it is usually part of a multi-password login or for getting a new password emailed to you.

Because unless you know the family, and know the mother's parents, you're not likely to find out what someone's mother's maiden name is that easily.

It's probably because in order to know a woman's maiden name, you must know her personally. That (sort of) prevents people from acting like they are someone they aren't.

Its something that no one, other than your family, will really know. It CAN'T be guessed, and its not at all too random that you're going to forget it.

because usually only they know there maiden names and there mother but no one else.

no its not difficult,but time consumming.they try to ask questions you should know .security questions are not very secure

Seems to be a somewhat unkown piece of data.....

Mothers rule!

because its totally random and nothing that be guessed