India finds itself under the spotlight in the wake of a staggering 33 per cent surge in cyberattacks during the first quarter of 2024 as one of the most targeted nations globally, according to a report by Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
Cybercriminals are honing in on vulnerabilities within computer systems and networks, infiltrating entities ranging from individuals to businesses and government bodies. Methods such as phishing scams and ransomware are being leveraged to pilfer sensitive information, shedding light on critical lapses in cybersecurity infrastructure.
A startling factor contributing to this exponential rise in cyber threats is the prevalence of weak PINs, which serve as an open invitation for attackers to breach systems effortlessly. According to a recent cybersecurity study by Information is Beautiful, the top ten most common 4-digit PINs reveal a worrying pattern of simplicity and predictability:
- 1234
- 1111
- 0000
- 1212
- 7777
- 1004
- 2000
- 4444
- 2222
- 6969
Choosing such rudimentary or easily guessable PINs can significantly heighten vulnerability to cybercriminals, experts say. The inherent risk posed by simplistic passcodes can lead to grave consequences of compromised security.
Birth years, birthdates, or repetitive passwords can easily be guessed by scammers, experts caution.
A password manager as an additional layer of defense can help generate random, secure codes that do not rely on easily accessible personal information, ESET cybersecurity expert, Jake Moore told The DailyMail.
Some of the least common 4-digit PINs are:
- 8557
- 8438
- 9539
- 7063
- 6827
- 0859
- 6793
- 0738
- 6835
- 8093
A difficult to guess, completely far off from personal information can be a good and strong password.
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