Choose the wrong PIN code and a criminal who has
stolen your card will be able to simply guess your code -
allowing them instant access to your money.
Analysis of 3.4 million real PIN codes found that people
are surprisingly predictable - with a “top ten” of most-used
codes which allow thieves an easy “way in”.
Almost 11% of the passwords analysed use the code
1234. For a thief or hacker, it's a gift - giving them a one in
ten chance to unlock a stolen card on the first guess.
The report by Data Genetics was analysed by America’s
Yahoo! Sideshow this week - and found that the least-
used code was 8068.
“As noted above, the more popular password selections
dominate the frequency tables. The most popular PIN
code of 1234 is more popular than the lowest 4,200 codes
combined!
That's right, you might be able to crack over 10% of all
codes with one guess! Expanding this, you could get 20%
by using just five numbers!”
[Related: Tablet computer ownership trebles]
The research analysed 3.4 million leaked four digit
passwords to find the least - and most - common.
Nearly a third of passwords - 28.3% - can be guessed
using just 20 combinations.
More than 6% of people use 1111, which also provides
thieves with a good 'second guess'. Another 2% choose
0000.
As well as single-number combinations such as 5555 and
9999, simple variations such as 1122 are also common.
'James Bond fans may be interested to know 0007 is
found at position 23,' say the researchers.
Of the 3.4 million passwords analysed, 8068 was the
least-used combination - but, the researchers warn,
'Hackers can read too.' In the wake of the research, it’s
now likely that 8068 will be far less secure.
'If you are a consumer and your recognize any of the
numbers to be your passwords/pins I hope you apply
common sense and immediately change them to
something a little less predictable,'
'Alternatively, you could be lazy and not change things (In
that case, at least the only person you are harming with
this apathy is yourself.)'
The most commonly used PINS are below:
1234
1111
0000
1212
7777
1004
2000
4444
2222
6969

Mine are even numberz.so it is hard to guess.