Observable authentication methods and apparatus

A machine-accessible device having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:

• receive a request from a user to create an account;
• receive a selection of a level of security from the user;
• determine a secret login rule for the user based on the selected level of security, the secret login rule corresponding to a type of login map used to provide access to the account;
• and
• transmit the secret login rule to the user.

A system comprising:

• a server configured to:
• host a service for authorized users;
• and
• receive a request from a client device associated with a user to access an account for the service, the request including an identifier associated with the user;
• a security processor communicatively coupled to the server and configured to:
• determine a secret login rule previously provided to the user based on the identifier;
• determine a login map associated with the account of the user;
• generate observable information based at least in part on the secret login rule and the login map;
• transmit the observable information and the login map to the client device;
• determine a correct answer by analyzing the positioning of the observable information within the login map in conjunction with the secret login rule;
• and
• responsive to determining that a answer received from the client device matches the correct answer, instructing the server to provide the client device access to the account for the service.