With a BlackBerry, how do I send PIN-to-PIN messages?

Warning: Be wary of sending PIN-to-PIN messages. When using the BlackBerry Enterprise Server Redirector, all email messages are Triple DES encrypted when traveling between your device and your Exchange mailbox, ensuring that they are indecipherable by anyone who might intercept them. However, PIN-to-PIN messages are not encrypted and transmit in plaintext, allowing anyone who intercepts them to read them. While this is a remote possibility, you should keep it in mind and not send sensitive information in a PIN-to-PIN message.

Each BlackBerry device is assigned a unique eight-digit number called a personal identification number (PIN). You can find your BlackBerry's PIN by selecting the Options icon (the pocketknife) and clicking Status. Your PIN will appear in the Status screen.

You can send messages directly to a BlackBerry user's PIN rather than to the user's email address in two ways, depending on whether you have the PIN stored in a contact in your address book. If you have a contact in your address book with the PIN entered, you can select the PIN using the Compose application:

1. Select the Compose icon (the open envelope and pencil).
   
   
2. In the "To:" list, scroll to the correct contact. Click the trackwheel to display a drop-down menu for the contact.
   
   
3. Select PIN from the menu for the contact.
   
   
4. Compose your message, and send it as usual.

When the message is sent, it will be routed using the PIN rather than the email address.

Note: The next time you select that contact with the Enter key, the PIN will be used rather than the email address. To reset the contact to use an email address, simply follow the directions above and select Email rather than PIN from the menu.

If you want to enter a PIN not associated with a contact, you can type the PIN directly into the "To:" field:

1. Select the Compose icon (the open envelope and pencil).
   
   
2. Scroll up to [Use Once] at the top of the "To:" list. Click the trackwheel to display a drop-down menu.
   
   
3. From the menu, select PIN. Enter the PIN, and press Enter.
   
   
4. Compose your message, and send it as usual.

Also see:

• What can I do to make my BlackBerry more secure?