Adjustable security

This mortgage outfit decides to beef up security for its users' laptops by adding full-disk encryption, reports an IT pilot fish who helps support the users.

"The encryption program has three security questions you have to answer," fish says. "That way, in case you forget your password, you can reset by answering the questions correctly."

Two of the questions are standard for all users: mother's maiden name, and the name of the street where the user grew up. But the third question is up to the user to choose, though the IT staff offers some suggestions in the instructions.

After months of using the system, one user has trouble logging in -- and can't manage to reset his password, either.

He calls fish, who walks him through answering the questions. The first two are no problem. But user's third answer is rejected.

Fish: What did you choose as your third question?

User: "It's 'What is the rate of a 30-year mortgage?' I put it in, but the machine isn't taking it."

Fish: Your answer has to be whatever the rate was when you set it up months ago.

User: "How am I supposed to remember that?"

Remember this: Sharky wants your true tale of IT life. Send it to me at sharky@computerworld.com. You'll snag a snazzy Shark shirt if I use it. Add your comments below, and read some great old tales in the Sharkives.

Now you can post your own stories of IT ridiculousness at Shark Bait. Join today and vent your IT frustrations to people who've been there, done that.