Q: Forced Apple ID security questions for App store - why?

For some people these questions trigger bad childhood memories. There are no answers for some people--their lives are or were totally different. The questions assume a certain experience. I own computers but my childhood was terrible.

It would be better to be able to write our own security questions.

I think Apple care is willing to work with people who have issues with these specific questions. Call them.

Concur.  I'm on the road too much with just my iPad to have to worry about looking up my answers to their ridiculous questions.  I wish they would've let me opt out.  I just finished a chat session with them and they told me it was in the user agreement... I couldn't find it in the US user agreement.  Too much work to stay with apple... I just became someone else's customer  Sorry Apple.

Since this illadvised question scheme was implemented I have received 3 attempts at resetting my password by someone other than me. One of them in chinese. Thank you apple. You have joined the TSA in the hall of security theatre greats.

It is a proud moment in history that Apple is now a house hold name. TSA well that is just a curse word for freequent flyers.

I'm glad it worked for you.  I agree that some security is necessary.  However, I am a paying consumer that wishes to provide for my own security.  I should have the option to opt out of this program and assume my own risk.  If I am not afforded that right, then the only way for me to opt out is with my dollars. 

Security questions are pointless...

1. They may or may not be relevant to everyone

2. They are annoying to type in every time

3. If they are relevant and you have filled them in accurately, then they are certainly not hard to guess or figure out

4. If you made them up which may be more secure, then you may not remember what you've answered

5. Typing in questions at every prompt to "verify" who you are is rediculus as a security measure and from a legal standpoint.

A few vague questions constitute security how?

Oh wow you've really throw off the would be hacker should they

have guess my easy friggen password...

Besides a dictionary attack at a few questions with common answers should be another tricky one to figure out...

Seriously?

Well I guess I’m onto my Android tablet where I am not pestered with such ridiculous nonsense.

Most could guess at your security questions with about 5 minutes of digging…

They have already guessed / stolen your password.... DUAH! Its too late.

One of the things I have always liked about Apple is that they seem to have seriously considered how real people will use their products.

These new "security questions" indicate they have either given up on this policy or hired a few ex-Microsoft people.

Incidentally, I'm delighted to see that I'm not the only one who thinks these "security questions" are ridiculous and anything but secure. I'm 58 and not American - none of these questions have any meaning for me. There are no answers I just "know".

Allowing me to set my own questions would work, although I'd question how secure it would be. Inevitably, if I set up questions which are easy for me to answer, a lot of others are going to be able to guess the answers ...

If Apple are going to stubbornly insist on this approach, I'm going to have to find a simple and easy work around which isn't going to be very secure. There have been a few good suggestions in this thread - some more would be appreciated.

You made a good choice, android never bothers me with my accounts. Being an ex apple user who still has an iPod touch I find that android is just so much more open, even though the iPod has a jailbreak.

Sorry, it's just so hard to take fandroids seriously.

I wouldnt mind but the site to reset the questions isnt working i guess 1 million people are all trying it

I guess ill just have to download the cracked app version seeing as apple wont let me pay for it

muppetts

put it back like it was and if it aint broke dont try to fix it

In over 30 years of IT I have never seen anything as moronic as this.  4 or 5 questions that you wouldn't remember the answers to .. brilliant!  Anyway, here is a solution:

What was the name of your first teacher: Answer "teacher"

What was your favourite job: Answer "job"

ie: make the answer the last word in the question.

Hope this helps others ... just d-u-m-b.

This three question hurdle is just lame. First the questions are stupid and second, let me opt out. Great idea of putting a hurdle in front of me spending money.  I am not going to be bothered with.

I'm not bothering either.  I contacted Apple about it a few times, and told them I am done with the iTunes Store unless they change something with this.  There are so many different ways they could easily improve this if they care to - even if it is just to add more questions from which to choose.  But they don't care. 

I had always heard good things about Apple as a company too.  The iPad i purchased last December was the first Apple product I have ever owned.  I was very happy with it until this.  For a while they let me download from ITunes on my PC, then just sync the iPad to it, but they changed something so now iTune on the PC wants these questions now too.  That just infuriated me, because the "use your PC and sync the iPad" idea was suggested to me by an Apple rep.  I thought it was dumb, but it worked.  Not any more. 

So last week I finally decided to get with the 21st century and upgrade my old phone to a smart phone.  Since I was so happy with the iPad, earlier this year I had been considering an iPhone.  But this really turned me off from Apple, so I bought a Droid Incredible 4G. 

Those in the Apple "cult" probably have so much invested they have to do whatever Apple tells them.  New customers do not.  I'm glad I found out early. 

Sorry, Apple.  You really missed the boat on this one.

Seems that some folks are too busy complaining to notice:

I got that option (to choose "not now") for a couple of weeks, but they took that away about a month ago. 

Then they forced it onto my PC also.