The most common PINs have been revealed – and yours could be on the list
Personal identification numbers (PINs) are vital for protecting our online banking accounts, devices, and sensitive information. And while it may seem like it is simple to make a four-digit PIN, you need to create one that is challenging to guess – and with only 10,000 possible combinations, creating a genuinely secure code proves more challenging than one might expect.
A weak or predictable PIN can serve as an open door for cybercriminals, which is why you need to have a strong and individual code. Privacy specialist Trevor Cooke, from EarthWeb, has investigated PIN usage patterns, revealing the most and least popular selections and demonstrating why selecting a robust and unique PIN matters.
Research of breached password databases and security incidents, which exposed more than 3.4 million four-digit PINs, shows that the most frequently selected PINs are often those that stick in the memory due to their straightforward patterns – but are equally highly predictable.
Top 10 most commonly chosen PINs
- 1234
- 1111
- 0000
- 1212
- 7777
- 1004
- 2000
- 4444
- 2222
- 6969
These PINs usually feature repeated digits, sequences, or dates with personal meaning, making them vulnerable to brute-force attacks, reports Nottinghamshire Live. Some 10.7% of all PINs examined were simply 1234, whilst the three most popular PINs accounted for nearly 20% of all PINs in the data set.
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The Least Common PINs
The most unusual 4-digit PIN was discovered to be 8068, surfacing merely 25 times amongst the 3.4 million passwords – a minuscule frequency of just 0.000744%. The ten least used 4-digit PINs, starting with the most infrequent, are:
- 8068
- 8093
- 8398
- 7638
- 8428
- 8285
- 7583
- 6835
- 8629
- 7539
The listed PINs are uncommon due to their lack of apparent patterns, repetition or any personal connotations such as birthdays or anniversaries – usually the sources for more predictable PINs. Their random and hard-to-remember nature likely makes them some of the least frequently chosen combinations.
Trevor suggests that while opting for a truly random PIN boosts security, it might make the number challenging to remember. Thus, he proposes some tactics to invent unique yet memorable PINs.
One could adopt the Word Method: Map your pin to a word using letters on a telephone keypad. For instance, the word “SAFE” equates to the PIN 7233. Opt for an infrequent word that is unlikely to be guessed.
Taking advantage of significant dates is another method. Despite avoiding easily guessable dates like anniversaries or birthdays, one can utilise a significant date as a pin. A day you adopted a pet or your first date with your partner could serve this function. Further customise by combining or altering the numbers.
Developing patterns or acronyms is another strategy. Find a pattern or acronym that may be significant to you but would be alien to others. Consider using the first letters of a favourite quote or reversing the numeric pattern of your childhood street address.
Finally, extending the length of your PIN is a robust option. Many systems accept PINs beyond 4 digits. The longer your PIN, the more difficult it becomes for anyone to crack.