A security mode prompt method and apparatus where the method includes when it is determined that a terminal is currently in a first security mode, acquiring prestored first security information; receiving first verification information entered by a user, and establishing a first correspondence between the first security information and the first verification information; displaying confusion information, the first security information, and the first verification information on a screen for the user to select; receiving a selection result of the user, and determining, according to the first correspondence, whether the selection result of the user meets a preset rule; and when the selection result of the user meets the preset rule, prompting the user that the terminal is in a second security mode. Using the present disclosure, security of a terminal can be improved.