Significance of Having a 4-Digit PIN for Your Phone

How many times do you remember security professionals urging you to secure your mobile with a strong level passcode? It’s true that entering a passcode while accessing your phone every time can be a royal pain. However, the alternative is equally dangerous and painful as it can open your personal world to any stranger who can get a direct access to your phone history, call history, your destination, pics, texts, emails, and inculcate malware that can follow all your online activities. Worst case scenario, they can turn your mic on and listen all your conversations without your knowledge along with the camera. Super dangerous, isn’t it?

You might want to counter this concern by explaining that your life is an open book and there is nothing you wish to hide. But what about your reputation, your bank account, and other confidential information related to your job, company, or business. Anyone can use your mobile banking app and take control over all your funds or take in the second factor login details that controls your financial details.

Even if you wish to keep things simple, you can always go for a simple 4 digit PIN than a complicated 8 digit alphanumeric code. Even a 4-digit PIN would be enough work for the hacker. It might not be that strong a wall against hackers, but it will keep them engaged for a while. A 4-digit pin means 10, 000 possibilities and 5, 000 different combinations. To make things better you can add the setting that wipes off complete device after a specific number of wrong trials.

On the safer side, never presume that your system is safe on its own. As the adage goes, “there is nothing more dangerous than presumed security.” What if someone comes with a box that would automate the procedure for entering all kinds of PINs or knows how to save the device from being wiped? (in short knows when to disconnect power supply). Means giving them unlimited trials without paying any price. Trying 10, 000 combinations for your phone means spending around 4-5 days in trying that.

Therefore, while it is a big hassle to secure your phone with a PIN, there is no other alternative to this unfortunately. But if you have the latest iPhone you can always simplify the things by installing a finger print scanner over your phone.