iPhone 4s: why does app store keep popping up "security info required"

Well I got a response from apple on my email via expresslane... Here is a direct quote from the response:

"I can assure you, that the info for the 3 new security questions and the backup email are there to improve the security of your account. You can change your security question, as well as any other data on the website appleid.apple.com."

I think the responder missed my point. In fact we cannot change these three new security questions or even find out they are required on appleid.apple. It appears, however that this is really apple. But I for one am none to pleased with the whole matter. I am not sure I need to buy on iTunes or download applications. I may not be using iTunes the same way in the future.

Oh one more thing, this new level of security does not affect updating old applications. I was able to do that without completing their new security request.

Thanks for digging deeper and doing all you did to make sure this security thing was legit. Like everyone else I was skeptical and thought 'ummm Apple doesn't usually do stuff like this'. So I came here and was glad to see that I wasn't the only one and that everyone didn't just blindly hand security info. BAD APPLE BAD! Next time notify us first!

And a further mystery, what is the point of the alternative email address.

I already have my other email addresses associated with my apple ID.

I tried putting one of those in the security pop up and in says I cant because this email is already in use (The email address is NOT my apple ID email address). So I created a new mail address and used that. It now shows that address on the new security page so it is treated differently to the other email addresses I have associated with my apple ID. However it says it's unconfirmed - but I never received a confirmation email (and yes I did check my SPAM folder!)

New Apple iTunes store security measure are impossible. I can't us my account "xxxxx" any more. Apple wants us to use questions that I don't have answers for. If I've never had a car, I can't answer my first car or favorite car! If I lived in the country away from other children I would not have a best childhood friend. What if I was bulled and did not have friends? If I was home schooled, I would not have favorite teachers or worse teachers.

Apple support said to make something up and hide it somewhere!

If one is having memory problems as in some elderly or other challenged people, these changes will just make life more difficult. What happened to accessibility? The question are geocentric, culturally bias and discriminate against people with minor disabilities.

Their refusal to not let us consolidate accounts, makes it more difficult on users. You are losing usability for security and DRM over management.

Glad to see this is an update from Apple and not something fishy. I really wish Apple would have notified us of this latest requirement. This new request popped up two days ago when I went to download a free app. I went with it and created three new security questions and answers. As soon as I did this the app began downloading and all was fine. I have downloaded free apps since and it has not asked me to answer the security questions. I am not sure when these will come into play.

Legitimate or not, I'm remaining sceptical about this until it's officially announced SOMEWHERE on the Apple Support site (possibly under the Apple ID Support page at least - it's not even under the FAQ, crying out loud.) There's been a lot talk and speculation from other websites lately that it's a new security measure, and a lot of confused users asking the same questions through these very forums, but no official word from the source? What gives. Most people are wary of pop ups asking for security info, and they want confirmation that it's safe to do whatever the pop up is asking. Seriously, it's not that hard Apple, to first send an official email to users at the very least that they will now be asked to answer/make up answers to random questions) AND supply a new email address specifically for the purposes of verifying their original apple id email address. At least if we were advised in the first instance, everyone will know what's going on.

Like Allan Der - I don't have answers to the stupid security questions foisted upon us by Apple intelligentsia.

I answered each of the 3 questions with "unknown" variations, and did not enter an "optional" rescue email.

This was accepted, and I could again continue to send money to the iTunes store.

Wow - what a bunch of insulated geeks! How about letting us pick our own questions, so we can have answers that we could remember.

I see that no one has posted the feedback link on this thread yet...

Let them know how you feel here: http://apple.com/feedback/

So they already had 2 email addresses, one from the .me and another. I now give them a third email address which I can only assume is the backup backup email address. When we went to IOS 5 we had to consolidate our iTunes login name by somehow adding the .me (if you didn't have one) with 2 seperate passwords. All the while no explanation or how-to from Apple in either case. We shouldn't need to read through forums to find out what's going on. As a matter of fact we spend tons of money on this.

Apple, please have the courtesy to tell us what's going on in the future. It's our information and we'd like a heads up. It's really not that much to ask. I personally didn't buy any apps for a week while this was up in the air. Not 100% sure what the apps I wanted were, but you lost money from me anyway.

I am now locked out of the App Store on my iPhone and my iPad and cannot download any new apps - free or paid. Everytime I try to download an app the pop up window "Security Info Required" opens. When I input in all the questions, answers, email address and YOB, I get a blank white screen which will not go away. I have gone to the Apple Store and checked that my account information is up to date.

Is anyone else experiencing this problem? Is there a way to get around this or resolve this?

Having spent a ton of money to migrate to Apple from PC's (MacBook Air, iPhone 4S and iPad, all in the last year) I am quickly becoming disillusioned with Apple and their products.

I cannot download an app and the security questions lead to "cannot connect to iTunes store".

I would like to answer the security questions and be done with them but that's not happening.

Here is another thread on the subject:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3883785?answerId=18171338022#18171338022

Here is a little more info on the issue: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/04/13/apple_rolls_out_new_security_measu res_for_itunes_app_store.html

I cancelled too. Thinking about it later I concluded that we are all used to providing confidential information when we initiate the transaction - like opening an account. But when the request is unsolicited, our scam alerts start screaming. Also, the request itself is unconvincing. "Security Info Required" lacks authority and authenticity. I almost expect it to be misspelled too! Sorry Apple, but "Major Fail".

Okay so I received the email (as no doubt everyone else did) stating:

'Security question(s) and answer(s)

If these changes were made in error, or if you believe an unauthorised person accessed your account, please reset your account password immediately by going to iforgot.apple.com.'

I then clicked the link and did the necessary and got the message:

'Email has been sent.

When you receive your sign in information, follow the directions to reset your password.'

I never received the email, so I tried again, and again, and one last time for good measure.

Could it be that the email is going to the recovery email address? That however would be laughable because if it the changes were made in error or by an unauthorised person then how would I ever get it? My security was fine but now has been compromised by the ‘enhanced’ security measures, hahaha.

Can't believe I miss Jobs so much already.

Just tested it with my wife's account and set my email address as the recovery email and true as nuts when she clicks the 'Oops If these changes were made in error link' and does the necessary, I received the email with the link straight to the page with appleid and all:

Create a new password.

Enter a new password for xxxxxxxx@hotmail.com below.

Your password must be at least eight characters long. It must

blah blah blah ....

So now someone else will be changing my password and logging into my account and doing whatever they like and there is nothing I can do about it. No need to get scammers to get us to part with security info when apple can do it for you. Don't think they thought that on though to well.