generally known in the art the above protocols are secure specifications that allows users to communicate via electronic mail messages with authentication of who each user is and optional encryption of the message contents it will be further understood that secure messaging protocols are only one exemplary type of electronic messaging protocol being used in connection with the present invention those of skill in the art will recognize that any electronic communication technology now known or hereafter developed may be used in connection with the exemplary embodiments of the invention described herein a method and system in accordance with the invention of using messages to send challenge response questions to provide for multi factor authentication before a user is granted access to an information source database database application software application or web based information service preferably includes the following sequence transmitting an email sms messaging or instant messaging message to a pre defined email sms messaging or instant messaging address receiving the transmitted message by a receiving mail server routing the email sms messaging or instant messaging message to an application server formatting a reply email sms messaging or instant messaging message to the user containing a challenge question with optionally enumerated responses such that each individual item in the reply email sms messaging or.