PIN Security Concerns

The cluster discusses the security strengths and weaknesses of PIN codes, especially 4-digit ones, for phones, bank cards, and accounts, debating brute-force risks, rate limiting, hardware protections, and alternatives like longer PINs or passphrases.

📉 Falling 0.3x Security
2,987
Comments
19
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#2487
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2008
10
2009
20
2010
37
2011
103
2012
162
2013
201
2014
166
2015
151
2016
265
2017
245
2018
181
2019
215
2020
217
2021
176
2022
188
2023
278
2024
207
2025
153
2026
12

Keywords

e.g US SSN ID ATM PIN UK samsung.com ATT SMS pin digit password pins digits phone brute passwords account secure

Sample Comments

7v3x3n3sem9vv Sep 23, 2022 View on HN

if you're paranoid don't use a 4 digit PIN. use a passphrase. problem solved

Dylan16807 Mar 10, 2017 View on HN

It is an option. Make them use a randomized keypad when setting the pin, and make them enter it three times.

bowlofpetunias Oct 1, 2013 View on HN

4 digits pin codes aren't passwords either. Sometimes good enough is good enough.

benologist Sep 12, 2013 View on HN

What's to stop them from mutilating you until you reveal your pin?

greenleafjacob Aug 14, 2016 View on HN

The 4 digit PIN is rate limited. How is that a single point of failure?

IshKebab Oct 20, 2015 View on HN

Not a bad idea, except there's a limit on the number of attempts. Otherwise you could easily brute force the PIN.

isykt Oct 10, 2023 View on HN

Why is a pin more secure than a password?

LorenPechtel Mar 19, 2023 View on HN

A PIN is a de-facto very weak password. Of course it can be brute forced!

u801e Apr 9, 2018 View on HN

It would be nice if they would start requiring a PIN.

knodi123 Jun 10, 2016 View on HN

I guess it's time to move to a 5-digit PIN in order to prevent this sort of leak from being feasible in the future.