Patent ID: 8370926

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for authenticating users, at least a portion of the method being performed by a computing device comprising at least one processor, the method comprising: during a user configuration phase: receiving a selection of an image to be used for mutual assurance with a user, and associating the image with the user by providing information that identifies the image in a profile of the user; identifying the image associated with the user; modifying the image based on a prompt message to create a modified image that displays the prompt message by overlaying the prompt message over the image to create the modified image; identifying, within the profile of the user, user-related information that is specific to the user; during a user login phase: displaying the modified image, identifying a password associated with the user, wherein the password is distinct from the user-related information, receiving user input from the user provided in response to the prompt message, determining that the user input comprises an expected response to the prompt message, wherein the expected response includes a combination of the password and the user-related information and at least one of the prompt message and the expected response is based on the user-related information, and authenticating the user based on the determination.