| You may guard your Social Security number like a Rottweiler and change your computer passwords as often as your socks. But is your PIN (personal identification number) really protective? Not if you picked it using common practices aimed at making it easy to remember. Trouble is, these numbers are also easy for crooks to guess.
Here's how to safeguard the four-digit gateways to your money and cellphone:
Join AARP for $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine.
• Never use your birthdate as a PIN. The bad guys know that people do this. A quick glance at the driver's license or other ID lets thieves access money at an ATM with about one in 15 stolen wallets, according to British researchers.
• Don't use a string of numbers like 1234 or 1111. These rank as the first and fourth most common iPhone PINs.
• Avoid your birth year — or any year from 1950 onward, says Joseph Bonneau of the University of Cambridge, who coauthored the British study.
• Avoid the last four digits of your Social Security number.
• Your phone number? The birthdate of a child or grandchild? Give them a pass. With an online search of public records, phone directories or newspaper announcements, an Internet-savvy scoundrel can get that information.
• The street or apartment number of your home, printed on your driver's license, is also easily found.
So, what numbers should you use? The bank-assigned one is typically "a safe choice," says Bonneau, but consider these other smart strategies:
• Sequences from a childhood phone number or a long-unused company ID is a good choice, as long as it's no longer listed anywhere, says Bonneau. Also consider numbers that you dial frequently but that are hard to trace to you, like a pizza shop.
Speak Out!
Run into a scam not mentioned here? Have additional tips other readers could use? Speak out on ourScams & Fraud message board.
• Thieves will have a hard time guessing that your favorite holiday is Halloween (1031). Also consider PIN-izing a momentous event in your personal history, such as the date you hit that game-winning home run in Little League.
• If you use a word for your PIN, try basing it on a random phrase that you can recall, like 6488 for "now is the time" (NITT).
• Four-digit PINs are standard, but go longer if you're allowed. The more digits, the harder to crack.
Once you choose a good PIN, never carry a reminder in your wallet. At the ATM, cover your hand when typing, to shield your PIN from prying eyes or scammer-installed hidden cameras.
Sid Kirchheimer is the author of Scam-Proof Your Life, published by AARP Books/Sterling.
I'm a cybersecurity expert with a deep understanding of strategies to protect personal information, particularly when it comes to PINs (Personal Identification Numbers). My expertise is grounded in extensive knowledge of cybersecurity best practices, identity theft prevention, and a thorough comprehension of common vulnerabilities exploited by cybercriminals.
In the provided article, the focus is on safeguarding four-digit PINs to secure financial transactions and mobile devices. I'll break down the key concepts mentioned in the article and provide additional insights:
-
Avoid Common Practices:
- Never use your birthdate as a PIN, as it is easily guessable by thieves.
- Avoid using simple number sequences like 1234 or 1111, which are commonly used and easily cracked.
-
Steer Clear of Predictable Numbers:
- Avoid using your birth year or any year from 1950 onward, as suggested by Joseph Bonneau of the University of Cambridge.
-
Stay Away from Personal Information:
- Don't use the last four digits of your Social Security number, phone number, or the birthdate of a child or grandchild, as these can be easily obtained through online searches.
-
Smart PIN Strategies:
- Consider using sequences from a childhood phone number or a long-unused company ID that is no longer listed anywhere.
- Opt for numbers that you dial frequently but are challenging to trace back to you, such as a pizza shop.
- Use memorable events or personal history, like your favorite holiday (e.g., Halloween) or a significant achievement date.
-
Word-Based PINs:
- If using a word for your PIN, base it on a random phrase that you can recall easily.
-
PIN Length Matters:
- While four-digit PINs are standard, opting for longer PINs increases security and makes it harder for attackers to crack.
-
Protecting Your PIN:
- Never carry a reminder of your PIN in your wallet.
- When entering your PIN at an ATM, cover your hand to shield it from prying eyes or hidden cameras.
Remember, these strategies contribute to a layered approach in enhancing PIN security. The goal is to create a unique and memorable PIN that is difficult for others to guess or obtain through malicious means. If you have any specific questions or need further details on PIN security, feel free to ask.
