ARCHIVED: Choose a secure PIN

This content has been archived, and is no longer maintained by Indiana University. Information here may no longer be accurate, and links may no longer be available or reliable.

When creating or changing a PIN (personal identification number), use the same care you would in choosing a password or passphrase. Some general guidelines are:

Do not use birthdates, anniversaries, or similar numbers as your PIN. An unauthorized user can often easily find this information via social networking sites or an internet search.
If the PIN allows alphabetic characters, use a mix of letters and numbers.
Do not use an actual word or name as your PIN; similarly, do not use a word misspelled with a number/letter substitution (such as capta1nk1rk or mr5p0ck).
Do not use a PIN that you use for your personal banking, or that is a password on another site.
Treat your PIN as you would any other password: use one that you can remember without writing down; do not share your PIN with anyone; and change it if you believe it may have been compromised.

Note:

For requirements for WorkFlows PINs, see About your WorkFlows PIN.