Apple has begun to ask iOS device owners for the answers to security questions as part of an effort to beef up Apple ID security. iPhone users began widely reporting the change on Thursday, though the changes actually began happening sometime in the last 24 hours. Not all iOS users have seen the request pop up yet, however, leaving some confused about whether the prompt is legitimately from Apple.

The prompt that shows up on an iOS device says "Security Info Required." It proceeds to ask the user to select from a handful of security questions and provide answers. If the user has not yet provided a backup e-mail address to Apple for his or her Apple ID, Apple requests that as well, and then prompts the user to verify it using a link to Apple's website. In addition to the prompt on the iOS device, some have reported (via Apple's discussion boards) that they are being asked the same questions via iTunes on the computer.

This is undoubtedly meant to help combat the growing number of phishing attempts on people's Apple ID and iTunes accounts. Reports from iTunes users about unauthorized charges have been trickling in for years at this point, and Apple's support team is likely getting inundated with requests for help. In fact it's almost ironic that some users are suspicious of the prompt and believe it to be a phishing attempt. We were able to confirm that the prompt is indeed legit. (Still, it's always better to be safe than sorry!)