1. A system, comprising: a computer system having a processor and a memory; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions for computer-based user authentication and for execution by the processor, the instructions programmed to cause the processor to receive, into the memory, a request to establish or enhance security for an image based password having a plurality of components, one component of which comprises a verification image having a plurality of target locations, one target location of which comprising a selected target location with a region upon which actions could be applied; and in response to receiving the request to establish or enhance the security for the image-based password, encrypt information related to position of the selected target location on the verification image.