Would you use a PIN instead of a password?
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
October 14, 2015 11:00am CST
Windows 8 and Windows 10 are configured to use a Microsoft account when logging in to the system. The reason is presumed to be so that you will have direct access to Mail or Onedrive without having to log in to them separately.
However, Windows prompts you to set a 4 digit PIN to use instead of the password, which Microsoft insists would be more secure. There is no doubt that Microsoft has a far better comprehension of the system than I ever will, but I find this suggestion laughable.
I regularly update my Microsoft password, always ensuring to create a secure password of decent length being alphanumerical along with a few symbols. With 26 letters available and usable as either lower of higher case, along with 10 digits and a myriad of available symbols, the possible permutations are in the billions. With a 4 digit PIN the possible permutations are 10,000, which despite being secure falls well below the password level.
Would you use a PIN, or do you feel like me that the suggestion is a joke.
6 people like this
7 responses
@Carmelanirel2 (8085)
• United States
15 Oct 15
I don't remember being asked to create a pin, but I did find out how to separate signing into the account from my mail. I think connecting accounts with our e-mail is STUPID! Especially on a desktop computer that is used by more than one person.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Oct 15
@Carmelanirel2 Surely you could have logged into the one account that was okay and then amended the other one via User Accounts in the Control Panel.
1 person likes this
@Carmelanirel2 (8085)
• United States
19 Oct 15
@Asylum I do have two accounts, but weary of making too many. See on my laptop, I had two accounts and one of them ,messed up and I couldn't sign in. I went to a Microsoft forum and was told to do something I never should have, because I ended up messing another account up. Of course that was on Windows 8.1, but sometimes I get error messages when trying to sign into my new account on the laptop.
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
15 Oct 15
In a way it's good, because it increases the security of your Microsoft account. The PIN is only for the computer, so if someone else has access to it they only have access to the device. But if you login using Microsoft account password then it makes your entire Microsoft account vulnerable (email, etc.)
@topffer (42155)
• France
14 Oct 15
It depends what security is behind the PIN. If the account is blocked after a few attempts, it can be good enough. If it is only the IP attempting to access to the account which is blocked, it is a no, no, for me. And if there is no limit for attempts, you are right, it is a joke
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@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
14 Oct 15
Yes, a PIN is fine for credit cards etcetera because if someone acquires our card they will have a very limited period in which to try to use it. The card would also be retained if they entered a wrong PIN 3 times, whereas you can constantly try for a computer.
1 person likes this
