How to Select the Best Security System PIN
3 pros!
Here's how to come up with an alarm code criminals can't crack.
We all depend on Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) to secure the most valuable aspects of our lives. From home security systems to cars to bank accounts, PIN numbers grant access to very important possessions.
However, a study done by Data Genetics revealed that a staggering 19 percent of all PINs in the world are either “1234,” “1111,” or “0000.” In fact, 11 percent of all PINs are “1234.” It just goes to show how easy it could be for a criminal to guess your PIN number and wreak havoc.
So, how can you increase the strength of your PIN? Follow the security tips and advice listed below.
Don't use dates for your PIN
A very common PIN combination is the year you were born. That's a problem because every combination involving a birthday can be whittled down to two start numbers: “19XX” or “20XX.”
Right there, you’re already giving a criminal a two-number head start on guessing your PIN. Also, with the amount of information available on social media today, it becomes very easy for a criminal to research the date of birth for you and your family members and run through the limited options when trying to crack the code.
Avoid sequential numbers, easy patterns and repeats
According to Data Genetics, the top five most used PINs in the world are “1234,” “1111,” “0000,” “1212,” and “7777.” If you’re struggling to figure out a PIN that will be easy for you to remember — but tough for a burglar to guess — try using the 1-800 phone number strategy.
We’ve all seen the infomercials pleading us to call 1-800-XXX-XXXX. Use this same strategy to choose your PIN, using the old school alphabetical counterparts for numbers to choose your PIN. For example, say your dog’s name is “Jake,” the correlating number would be “5253.”
Never use default PINs
Most security systems come with a default PIN. It’s highly recommended to customize your PIN to ensure you’re the only one who knows how to arm or disarm the system. It’s the quickest and easiest way to drastically improve your home’s security.
Choose a creative pattern
Many people tend to choose a PIN that's composed of adjacent numbers on the keypad, like “4567.” For example, a PIN that is “8259” is harder to guess because the numbers are spaced out well on the keypad.
Burglars tend to try patterns when they’ve run through the most common PINs, so avoid an easy button pattern.
Stay alert as you type in your keyless door PIN each day. (Photo by Tom Lange)
Position alarm control panel out of plain sight
Make sure your alarm control panel isn’t easily visible through a window. You never know who could be out there lurking, hoping to catch a quick glance of your PIN. This advice can also be applied to garage code panels.
In general, just make sure no one can easily track your PIN from a distance.
Clean your security control panel
It may seem like a drastic measure to take, but it’s very important to clear your fingerprints and marks off of the control panel every few months because the wear and tear on your combination can become fairly obvious over time. This essentially creates a four-digit guessing game for a burglar.
Periodically change your PIN
It’s smart to change your PIN every year to avoid the problem of wear and tear on the buttons. You should switch up the numbers you use so certain buttons aren’t more worn out than others.
Do you have trouble remembering all of your PINs? Share your thoughts and tricks in the comments section below.
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