- You may want to see the tutorial on creating strong passwords before viewing this one as it covers some basic concepts.

- If your bank will let you generate your own PIN code, we recommend it. It's easier to remember one you created.

- Many banks will assign a PIN code but will let you change it if you come into the bank.

- The biggest mistake people make is using numbers that are superficially familiar.

- In other words don't use numbers from things that many people may be able to guess or figure out.

- Since most PIN codes are four (4) digits people tend to use dates like MM/YY or MM/DD.

- Examples of what NOT to use include:

• Birthdays - yours or spouses or significant others


• Wedding Anniversary


• Children's birthdays


• House number


• Apartment number


• First four digits of Zip Code


• First four digits of phone number

- The problem with all of these is that they are too superficial and too easy for others to either know of figure out.

- As described in the tutorial on passwords you have an infinite store of personal experiences to draw upon.

- These things are easy for you to remember and difficult or impossible for others to guess.

- Examples include:

• Date you graduated from High School.


• Date you graduated from college.


• Year your Mother was born.


• Year your Father was born.


• Date you met your spouse.


• Any other date significant to you.


• The reverse of any of these.

- If you need more than 4 digits you can use a full date like 061267 (June 12, 1967)

- Note: Note of the examples given in this tutorial are PIN codes used by me.