The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementations for authenticating a user. A first request is received to set up authentication information with respect to a user, wherein the first request specifies a type of information to be used for future authentication of the user. It is determined whether the type of information related to the user poses risks based on a reverse information search result. The type of information for being used for future authentication of the user is rejected when the type of information is determined to pose risks.