Personal Cybersecurity (Part 32): Needles of Protection: How Many PINs Secure Your Digital Life?

How Many PINs Do You Have?

Have you ever counted how many PINs you actually use? Managing our digital lives today means juggling a myriad of PINs and passwords. It's not just about remembering a couple of key combinations anymore. We need distinct PINs for a range of purposes:

• Banking and financial accounts
• Credit and debit cards
• Mobile devices (including mobile phone, tablets and laptops)
• Mobile payment apps
• Email accounts
• Cloud storage services
• Social media accounts
• Home security systems.

The Importance of Unique PINs

Using unique PINs for each of these categories is crucial. Repeating PINs across different services can expose you to greater risk. If one account is compromised, all your linked accounts can be at risk too.

The Risks of Reusing PINs

Sharing the same PIN across multiple devices and services increases vulnerability. If a cybercriminal gains access to one account, they can easily breach others that share the same PIN. This domino effect can lead to significant data breaches and financial loss.

Common Sources of PIN Numbers

Many people choose PINs based on easily memorable numbers. Common sources include:

• Birthdays: Birthdays of yourself or loved ones are often used.
• Anniversaries: Significant personal dates, such as wedding anniversaries, if you can remember!
• Significant Events: Dates related to significant events like graduations, start of a job, etc.
• Famous Dates in History: Significant historical dates can be memorable but predictable, unless you are bad at history!
• Sequential Numbers: Simple sequences like 1234 or 0000 are easy to remember but highly insecure.
• Repetitive Numbers: Patterns like 1111, 2222, or 123123.
• Keypad Patterns: Visual patterns on the keypad, like forming a shape (e.g., an "L" or a "Z").
• Credit Card Numbers: Last few digits of credit card number or CVV code.
• House Numbers: Your street address can be easily guessed.
• Phone Numbers: Incorporating parts of your own or a close contact's phone number.
• Car Registration Numbers: Using your car's number plate is another common but risky choice.

The Most Common PIN Codes

Based on research, here are some of the most common and easily guessed PIN codes:

• 4-Digit PINs: 1234, 1111, 0000, 1212, 7777
• 5-Digit PINs: 12345, 11111, 12321, 54321, 55555
• 6-Digit PINs: 123456, 111111, 123123, 654321, 000000, 159753
• 8-Digit PINs: 12345678, 11111111, 12341234, 87654321, 00000000

For a more detailed visualisation, check out this link .

How Criminals Exploit Common PIN Sources

Cybercriminals often start by gathering information from your social media accounts. Here’s how they can guess your PIN:

• Social Media Clues: Personal details like birthdays, anniversaries, or special dates can be found on your profiles.
• Photos and Posts: Pictures of your home or car may reveal your house number or car registration.
• Public Information: Shared posts about historical events or dates of personal significance can provide further hints.

Using PINs in Public Places

Using your PIN in public places can pose additional risks. Here are a few tips to protect your PIN:

• Decide is you need to: is it essential to enter it, can it wait until you are in private.
• Cover the Keypad: When entering your PIN, use your hand or body to shield the keypad from onlookers or cameras.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Look out for anyone standing too close or acting suspiciously.
• Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Refrain from entering sensitive information, including PINs, when connected to public Wi-Fi networks.

Remember, if you need to use your PIN in a public place to unlock your mobile device (because biometrics are not working), and it seems unusual, then ask yourself whether your device could have been powered off/on by someone else without you knowing in order to discover your PIN, and wait until it is safe to unlock it.

Consider Complex Alpha-Numeric PINs

If you think you're secure because you hardly ever use your PIN and have it as a backup, then why not have a more complex alpha-numeric one that is harder to guess? Using a combination of letters and numbers increases the difficulty for potential attackers to guess your PIN, significantly enhancing your security.

How to be Creative in Generating PINs

Some people use mathematical algorithms to create more secure and complex PINs. These algorithms can help generate PINs that are not easily guessable and are more resistant to attacks. Here are some common methods people might use:

Matrix of numbers

You could just remember four PINs but picture them in a matrix arrangement, such as:

• 1845
• 2887
• 9165
• 2050

Now you have 10 PINs if you read the extras down and diagonal, thus, 1292, 8810, 4865, 5750, 1860, 5812.

Mathematical Algorithms for Creating PINs

• Random Number Generators (RNGs): Use a random number generator to create a PIN that doesn't follow predictable patterns.
• Hash Functions: Apply a hash function to a known value (like a phone number or a date) to generate a PIN. The result is a seemingly random sequence that is difficult to reverse-engineer.
• Modulus Operations: Use modulus operations on larger numbers to produce smaller, seemingly random numbers. For example, take a large prime number and compute its modulus with another number.
• Prime Numbers: Use prime numbers or products of prime numbers to create less predictable PINs.
• Fibonacci Sequence: Generate a PIN using digits from the Fibonacci sequence, though not very common, can add an extra layer of complexity.
• Personal Algorithms: Develop a personal algorithm that combines elements from various personal data points in a complex way that only the user understands.

Example of Creating a PIN Using a Simple Algorithm

Example Algorithm:

• Take the last four digits of your phone number.
• Multiply by a prime number (e.g., 7).
• Add the day of your birth (e.g., 15).
• Take the modulus of the result with 10000 to get a four-digit number.

Example Calculation:

• Phone number: 5678
• Multiply by 7: 5678 x 7 = 39746 [7 might be digit number in the alphabet of the first letter of the service you are using i.e. Google, if more than 9 add the two numbers together to get a single digit thus Y = 25, 2+5=7]
• Add birthday: 39746 + 15 = 39761
• Modulus 10000: 39761 % 10000 = 9761

Generated PIN: 9761

Benefits of Using Mathematical Algorithms

• Unpredictability: Algorithms can create PINs that are not easily guessable or related to easily obtainable personal information.
• Complexity: Increases the difficulty for attackers to crack the PIN using common methods.
• Customisation: Users can create personal algorithms tailored to their specific needs, adding another layer of security.

Using mathematical algorithms to generate PINs can significantly enhance security compared to using common, easily guessable numbers like birthdays or sequential digits.

Effective Management Strategies

Managing numerous PINs can seem daunting, but it's manageable with the right strategies:

• Password Managers: These tools securely store and manage your PINs and passwords.
• Two-Factor Authentication: This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification.
• Regular Updates: Regularly updating your PINs and passwords can prevent unauthorized access.

Adopting a Robust Cybersecurity Posture

A proactive approach to cybersecurity is vital. Beyond managing PINs, consider the following:

• Regular Software Updates: Ensure all your devices and apps are up-to-date with the latest security patches.
• Awareness and Training: Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices.
• Secure Connections: Always use secure, encrypted connections, especially when accessing sensitive information.

The Role of Cyber Hygiene

Maintaining good cyber hygiene is akin to personal hygiene – it's essential for preventing infections. Simple practices such as not sharing your PINs, avoiding predictable sequences, and being cautious with public Wi-Fi can make a significant difference.

Final Thoughts

In our interconnected world, the need for robust cybersecurity practices cannot be overstated. Are you taking the necessary steps to safeguard your digital life, or are you leaving yourself exposed to potential threats?

#Cybersecurity #DigitalSafety #PINManagement #OnlineSecurity #DataProtection #TechTips