Least Common PINs
Since the blog post that I made yesterday about ‘the most common PINS’, I’ve had a bunch of emails asking me if there is a list of the least common PINs. Instead of responding to all of the emails I have opted to make a blog post about these least common PINs and how you can create a more secure PIN for yourself.
For those who did not see my blog post on the most common PINs, take a few moments to familiarise yourself with it – https://paulbrook.co.uk/most-common-pins/
Before, I go into more detail about the least common PINs, let me say that the worst thing you can do is to go and change your PIN into one of these numbers. Why? Well if a lot of people all go and change their number to correspond to one from the least common PINs list, then it stops that number from being less common.
You also need to factor your memory into the equation. Since a secure PIN should never be written down, you will need to recall it in a flash to stop that ever increasing shopping queue from turning on you.
The best thing for you to do is find a number that means something to you, a four digit number, but not one of these:
- Birthdays – yours, your spouses or significant others
- Wedding anniversary
- Children’s birthdays
- House number / apartment number
- First four digits of post code / zip code
- First four digits of phone number
Choose a number that means something to you, then don’t just use it. You will need to encrypt it in some way. Don’t worry this isn’t some form of spy software. All you will need to do is mix up the letters in an order that you will remember. For example, you may reverse the four numbers, swap the first and last number, flip the middle two numbers, etc. The choice is up to you and is limited only by what you will be able to remember.
The Least Common PINs List
Just for those who were unable to see the image above showing the list of least common PINs, here they are in text format, it’s the last 20 numbers from a list of a possible ten thousand:
- #9980 – 8557
- #9981 – 9047
- #9982 – 8438
- #9983 – 0439
- #9984 – 9539
- #9985 – 8196
- #9986 – 7063
- #9987 – 6093
- #9988 – 6827
- #9989 – 7394
- #9990 – 0859
- #9991 – 8957
- #9992 – 9480
- #9993 – 6793
- #9994 – 8398
- #9995 – 0738
- #9996 – 7637
- #9997 – 6835
- #9998 – 9629
- #9999 – 8093
- #10000 – 8068
Make Your Secure Number One of the Least Common PINs