How to Reset Security Questions in Yahoo Mail

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Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: July 28, 2022

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Using a Computer

|

Using a Phone or Tablet

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Q&A

This wikiHow teaches you how to disable the now-defunct security questions for your Yahoo! account and implement more secure recovery methods, including phone number verification and a backup email address.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Computer

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1
Open a web browser on your computer. Because of several hacks in 2016, Yahoo! is no longer using security questions. This means you’ll want to add new account verification methods in case you get locked out in the future.
- Unencrypted security questions and answers have been disabled, so if you can’t answer the questions and you don’t have another recovery method associated with your account, you won’t be able to retrieve it and are locked out for good.^{[1]
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Visit the Yahoo! home page.

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You’ll see this at the top of the page.
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Type your Yahoo! account name and password.
- If you’re currently locked out of your account, visit the Account Recovery page. You’ll need to enter a recovery email or phone number associated with the account in order to retrieve it.
- Security questions are no longer being used by Yahoo!, and you won’t be able to use the answers to your old questions, even if they’re correct.
You’ll see this in the same location the Sign In button was.
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Click Disable security questions. If you previously had security questions enabled, you can disable them here. Once you’ve disabled your security questions, you can add new recovery methods.^{[2]
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- Your existing security questions cannot be edited, and new ones cannot be created.
Since Yahoo! Doesn’t use security questions anymore, adding a phone number to your account is the quickest way to verify your identity in the future.
This must be a mobile number that can receive SMS messages,
This verifies your new phone number.
Besides associating a mobile number, you can also add another email address that you can be reached at. Password reset links will be sent to this address.
you receive. This may be in your Updates folder if you’re using Gmail. Your recovery email is now active.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Phone or Tablet

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Multiple Yahoo! hacks in 2016 led to the phasing out of security questions for Yahoo! accounts. You’ll need to disable security questions if you still have them and set up new recovery options.
Visit the Yahoo! home page.
6
Type your password and tap Sign in.
- If you are currently locked out of your account and don’t have any recovery methods associated besides security questions, you will not be able to recover your account. If you have a phone number or backup email, you can recover your account at the Yahoo! Account Recovery page.
If you had security questions associated with your account, you’ll need to disable them before you can add new recovery methods. Existing security questions cannot be edited, and you can’t make new ones.
This will allow you to quickly verify your identity if you get locked out in the future.
This will verify the phone number.
Adding an email address will allow you to recover your account if you don’t have your phone handy.
Make sure this is an account that you know you’ll have access to.
You’ll receive the email shortly.
Your account is now protected with your phone number and an additional email address.

Community Q&A

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Question

How can I contact Yahoo to reset my security questions?

Community Answer

Yahoo help indicates security questions are no longer used. They suggest setting up your email address and phone number. If you are locked out, they will send a code to your phone device, and an email to help unlock your account.

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Question

I forgot my password, phone number, and security questions. How do I get my account back?

Community Answer

You can try entering a recovery email address or phone number into the form at https://login.yahoo.com/forgot? to see if you can recover your account. If this website doesn't work, you will not be able to recover the account.

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Question

Under Account Info, I don't have a section that shows security questions, it looks like it may have been removed. How can I get these back?

Community Answer

Security questions used to be used to protect your Yahoo! account, but have been phased out in favor of recovery phone numbers and email addresses. Because of this change, you can no longer view or reset your security questions. To protect your account, you'll need to enter a phone number or recovery email address.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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