# Use Case: Using Security Question for Password Resetting

Source: [https://docs.virtosoftware.com/docs/virto-active-directory-user-profile-sync-web-part/using-security-questions-for-password-resetting-use-case/](https://docs.virtosoftware.com/docs/virto-active-directory-user-profile-sync-web-part/using-security-questions-for-password-resetting-use-case/)
Product: Virto AD User Profile Sync Web Part
Updated: 2026-08-12


***Situation:***

User forgets the password. How to reset the password with an answer to a security question? How this answer is defined?

***Solution:***

User defines an answer to a security question when he fills out a special field. Information from this field will be verified and if the answer is correct, password will be reset.

***How to implement:***

Two web [arts are installed on a SharePoint site – **Virto SharePoint Active Directory Self Service**and

## Virto SharePoint Password Reset Web Part.

The first web part allows user to set an answer to a security question (value of the special field), the second web part enables to reset the password when user forgets it.

The following actions must be done:

1. Virto SharePoint Active Directory Self User Service installing.
2. Adding special field which will contain answer to a security question.
3. Virto SharePoint Password Reset Web Part installing.
4. Selecting field (created in 3) in the SharePoint Password Reset Web Part settings for security question answer.

***Detailed Instruction:***

***For SharePoint site administrator***

Install Virto SharePoint Active Directory User Service. Then go to “Site Actions – Site Settings”.

![Opening Site Actions then Site Settings on the SharePoint site](https://img-docs.virtosoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/using_security_questions_for_password_resetting_use_case_1.png)

Follow the link “Virto Active Directory Service Settings”.

Click “Manage Fields” and use “Add Field” to add new field to the list.

![Manage Fields page with the Add Field option in the Virto Active Directory Service Settings](https://img-docs.virtosoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/using_security_questions_for_password_resetting_use_case_2-1024x205.png)

![Add Field button for creating a new field in the Virto Active Directory Service Settings](https://img-docs.virtosoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/using_security_questions_for_password_resetting_use_case_3-1024x184.png)

Enter required data and pay attention to the field “AD Name” (corresponding field from Active

Directory).

![New field form with the AD Name mapping to the corresponding Active Directory attribute](https://img-docs.virtosoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/using_security_questions_for_password_resetting_use_case_4.png)

Click “OK”.

![New security question field added to the list in the Virto Active Directory Service Settings](https://img-docs.virtosoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/using_security_questions_for_password_resetting_use_case_5-1024x196.png)

The field will appear in the SharePoint Active Directory Self User Service Web Part.

![Security question field shown in the SharePoint Active Directory Self User Service web part](https://img-docs.virtosoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/using_security_questions_for_password_resetting_use_case_6.png)

Go to the site where **Virto SharePoint Password Reset Web Part**is installed. Use “Edit Web Part”.

Adjust web part for security question (see User Guide). Define the field (created with the SharePoint Active Directory User Service) as a field with an answer to security question.

![Editing the Virto SharePoint Password Reset web part settings to assign the security question field](https://img-docs.virtosoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/using_security_questions_for_password_resetting_use_case_7.png)

![Selecting the security question answer field in the Virto Password Reset web part settings](https://img-docs.virtosoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/using_security_questions_for_password_resetting_use_case_8.png)

Click “OK”.

***For user***

Go to SharePoint site where the SharePoint Active Directory User Service is installed. Fill out the field

“Secure Answer (Pet’s Name)”. Click “Save”.

![User filling out the Secure Answer field with a pet's name in the Self Service web part](https://img-docs.virtosoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/using_security_questions_for_password_resetting_use_case_9-1024x504.png)

***If user forgets his password.***

Go to the site with anonymous access (contact your administrator).

![Anonymous-access password reset page where the user answers the security question](https://img-docs.virtosoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/using_security_questions_for_password_resetting_use_case_10.jpg)

Enter answer to the security question. Click “Submit”. If the answer is incorrect, a message will appear.

![Error message shown when an incorrect security question answer is submitted during password reset](https://img-docs.virtosoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/using_security_questions_for_password_resetting_use_case_11.png)

When the answer is correct, password will be displayed and sent by e-mail.

![Reset password displayed after a correct security question answer, also sent by email](https://img-docs.virtosoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/using_security_questions_for_password_resetting_use_case_12.png)