Abstract: A method and system for user authentication uses photos, pictures, images, pictures of words, logos, graphics, icons, or pictures of colors (graphical elements) as password elements (graphical password) to gain access to a secure platform, section of a platform, specific content, website, computer, mobile device or other electronic device (secure content). The Method and system provide the creation, use in authentication and maintenance of the graphical password. Graphical password creation is initiated through user selection and platform storage of a subset of one or more platform provided or user provided graphical elements (secret graphical elements). The graphical elements are photos, pictures or images that are memorable to the user and are from within one or more relevant categories, e.g. colors, playing cards, animals. A graphical user interface (GUI) having virtual dials, wheels, reels or keypads to display images is used to implement the login/authentication process.