Do you use different four-digit PIN codes for different purposes? And did you strive to think carefully about what number(s) to use? If so, you’re likely in the minority, as too many people are a little lazy when it comes to PIN code security.
Almost One in 10 People Choose the Same PIN Code
Four-digit PIN codes are used for lots of different things these days. This includes unlocking your phone (unless you usebiometrics such as facial recognition or fingerprints), getting money out of an ATM, or accessing your banking app.
However, unfortunately, too many people appear to be taking the easy option when it comes to picking a PIN code. In fact, according to Australia’sABC News(viaPCWorld), almost one in 10 people uses the same PIN code. And there are no prizes for guessing what it is.
Yep, the most commonly used PIN code is 1234, with ABC News discovering that 9 percent of people choose that as their PIN. There are other common ones too, including 1111, 0000, 1342, and 1212.
In order to discover this, ABC News analyzed 29 million PIN codes that show up onHave I Been Pwned?And while the popularity of different PINs has been analyzed previously, this time, the data has been presented in a visually pleasing way that makes it worth taking another look.
Choose a Number That Only Means Something to You
As well as learning that 9 percent of people use 1234, we find that at least 1 percent use 1111 or 0000. Beyond that, the vast majority of the top 50 most-used PINs are either the same number used four times, sequences of numbers, or birth years.
It should go without saying that all of the above are bad choices, just as they are whenchoosing passwords. Given its popularity, the first PIN anyone would try would be 1234. But using your year of birth as your PIN is also a bad idea, given how readily that information will be available online.
The best advice when choosing a PIN code is to choose one that only means something to you. And that meaning should not be related to information other people could find online. Also, be sure to use a different PIN code for different purposes, rather than the same one for everything.
