Do you think companies should stop using mothers maiden name as a security question

[notedbiscuits]

This is why I believe companies should stop using MMN as security

. Your siblings - including half siblings who you share the same mother have the same MMN
. If your mother has sisters and they have children too - they also share the same MMN
. Mothers who split up with their child(ren)'s father or decide they have nothing to with the child(ren)'s father(s) usually have the same surname as the mum if the mum wants to revert back to her maiden name (if got married) and kids get surname to match their mum's - their MMN is their surname!
. Anyone can go on free websites or have a free trial to find birth registers and if you know the quarter their births are registered - can find MMN with ease.

For companies that insist on a MMN - I use a family surname which is none of the MMNs of my parents or grandparents.

I find it odd too.

I get asked for my mums maiden name for things.

My mum is dead.

I actually get caught out every time I'm asked and would prefer being asked for a memorable word.

I agree in principle, but now I come to think about it I haven't been asked for my MMN in years, so I think probably most institutions have already stopped doing it.

Nowadays I think you're mostly asked to give a choice of security questions and answers when you set up an account, e.g. first school, first pet, first car, middle name of oldest sibling.

My mum didn't marry my dad until I was 35 and even then didn't change her name. It's very old fashioned. Most women I know don't change their name on marriage so it will probably die out as a concept in the next few generations.

Why does it need to 'fade out' for the reason you've given?

I mean, there remains answer to that question, whether or not your mother ever married, so just give that answer. 🤷

Because it’s an outdated concept? It’s obviously a loaded question. @CitronellaDeVille explained it well with their post:

It’s the question itself and the meaning, culture and assumptions embedded in it. Plus as many have demonstrated, the sheer inappropriateness and irrelevance.

Just invent a name then.

YANBU ive always thought it was a poor question as loads of friends would know it.

Think they’ve already stopped doing this; at least, I haven’t been asked it for a while. It’s all faces, passcodes and fingerprints these days.

When I was asked it I always gave MILs… DMs was Polish and had too many Z’s for comfort. If I’d had to speak it to someone over the phone they’d never have known how to spell it. Anyway, they’re not checking to see if it’s accurate, just checking you know a word you’ve chosen for security.

Usually you can choose a question from a drop down menue.
I never use real names. In the end it needs to be something that is only known by you...

Just choose any name. They aren’t going to check!
And don’t enter any stupid facebook quizzes that ask information like that!

I agree and do not choose that.