When people forget their passwords on major Internet sites such as Amazon.com, the password software that is installed will typically ask them a “reminder” question such as their mother’s maiden name or the town in which they were born. According to PC Pro, scientists at Rutgers University claim that these questions are too easy, and that new standards need to be put into place to protect people from phishing and other Internet fraud.

“We call them activity-based personal questions,” said Danfeng Yao, assistant professor of computer science in the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences. “Sites could ask, ‘When was the last time you sent an e-mail?’ or, ‘What did you do yesterday at noon?’

“It’s about using information that is much harder to obtain.”

One of the easiest ways to protect your Internet passwords is to use a password manager such as Mitto.com that offers one-click access to your important online information. Mitto also offers the most stringent security protocol available for an online password keeper, giving users peace of mind.