At Amalgamated Locksmiths, we offer a range of safes to meet your needs. But did you know that you can make your safe even more secure simply by changing the codes? Alarm systems, safes and electronic digital keyless locks can all require access codes. Many come with built-in PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) or codes as default and a lot of people don’t think to change them. It is important for your security to change your safe’s default PIN.
Common PINs to Avoid
Default PIN codes are often simple and easy to guess. They are often things like 1-1-1-1 or 1-2-3-4. Simple codes like this are also the most common PINs people choose. We understand – codes like 1-2-3-4 or 4-3-2-1 are easy to remember, but they are also easy to guess. The easier your PIN is to guess, the less secure your system is.
Patterns
Numerical patterns are good to avoid. 2-4-6-8, for example, is a pretty obvious PIN. Similarly, 8-5-2-0 or codes that form patterns on the keypad are easier for visual learners to remember. Keep in mind our rule of thumb: the easier it is to remember, the easier it is to guess.
Birthdays
If someone is trying to break in to your safe, one of the first things they’ll try is your, your partner’s or your child’s birthdate. Avoid important dates such as birthdays or anniversaries or anything that can be guessed by looking in a calendar. In fact, avoid years altogether – 4-digit codes that begin with 19- – are far more common than codes that do not. Of those, higher 19 – – codes, are more common still, e.g. 1976 is more common than 1911.
Our Rule of Thumb
Setting codes based on important years or dates is tempting, we get it: it helps you remember both your alarm code and your partner’s birthday, but it’s too easy to guess. So we recommend random codes, such as 8-9-4-2. Random codes are harder to remember but much harder to guess. Again, the easier it is to remember your code, the easier it is to guess.
Don’t Repeat Your PIN codes
In our modern age, the chances are that you will have a number of PINs – one for your credit card, another for your debit card, another for your home alarm, business alarm and safe. As tempting as it consolidation is, you must not set the same code for all your PINs. By setting all of your PINs the same, once one is compromised, they all are. This can create a real headache because instead of just having to change one code, you suddenly have to change them all!
It’s Just Not Logical, Captain!
As a fun aside, did you know that one of the most common codes is 1701? It’s not anything to do with history. That’s the number of the USS Enterprise – Captain Kirk’s ship in Star Trek!
How Do I Reset My PIN?
You can contact us! Amalgamated Locksmiths are able to reprogram a number of your security codes. Our nationally-accredited locksmiths are able to service, repair and reset your security codes, including safe combinations and home security network PINs.
