International Business Machines Corporation

Michael T Strosker

Joel Howard Schopp

George Conerly Wilson

Ryan Patrick Grimm

Jeffrey David George

Nathan Fontenot

Nathan Fortenot

A method which controls modification of passwords. An end user designates, in advance, a universe of social media contacts such as friends on social media web sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Contacts so identified are used as a set of potential identity verifiers. In order to enable a reset or modification of an account password, a subset of the universe is required to assert that they have verified the identity of the user requesting to reset a password. Such verification can be accomplished by varying means by those to whom an inquiry has been directed.

Controlled password modification method

Apparatus which control modification of passwords by implementing a procedure by which end user designates, in advance, a universe of social media contacts such as friends on social media web sites such as Facebook and Linkedln. Contacts so identified are used as a set of potential identity verifiers. In order to enable a reset or modification of an account password, a subset of the universe is required to assert that they have verified the identity of the user requesting to reset a password. Such verification can be accomplished by varying means by those to whom an inquiry has been directed. Te apparatus may be in the form of a computer system or a computer readable storage medium.

Controlled password modification method and apparatus

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Michael T Strosker