PIN codes protect our ATM card or phone. However, to be effective, they must be sufficiently complex and difficult to guess.
Unfortunately, many frequently used combinations no longer function at all.
By choosing such a PIN, you are asking for trouble and making it easier for the thief.
PIN codes are the easiest to crack
Data analyst, Nick Berry, analysed PIN codes and, using a database of disclosed numbers, published a list of those that were easiest to guess.
Check if your number combination is also there. If so, be sure to change it. It will take a while, but it may save you from losing your savings and serious problems.
Selecting a PIN code takes only a moment, but it is worth putting effort into it and choosing a combination that will be difficult to guess. Unfortunately, many people ignore security considerations and set just any PIN.
The most at-risk PIN codes also include the following combinations:
- 1234
- 1111
- 0000
- 1212
- 7777
- 1004
- 2000
- 4444
- 2222
- 6969
- 2580
They are easy to remember, but also easy to break such “security.” We might as well have none at all.
If you have such a PIN, be sure to change it. Codes consisting of four of the same numbers will be weak security, even if they are not on this list. 3333, 5555 or 6666 is also a bad idea.
Which PINs are best to choose and which ones to avoid?
It is also not recommended to set your date of birth as your PIN. Many people do this, but it is poor security because it is not secret information. After all, no one hides when their birthday is. Sometimes you just need to go to someone’s Facebook to find out. Thieves are aware of this.
It is best to choose a combination of numbers that has nothing to do with us. These should be completely random numbers that have no connection with each other in any way. The harder it is to remember the PIN, the better.
Forgetting your PIN is a problem, but it can be solved in a few minutes by calling your bank’s hotline. And if someone robs us, recovering the money is much more difficult and takes much longer. It will not always be possible. Therefore, it is better to choose difficult PIN codes.
Security experts also warn against writing down your PIN. The worst thing you can do is carry a card with this number stuck to your ATM card. Never do that.
Of course, you should not share your PIN with anyone and should change it regularly. This increases our safety.
