Guess how long it would take a computer to brute-force an 8-number password. The answer: instantly. That's according to Hive Systems' Password Table, which shows how shockingly quick passwords of ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Davey Winder is a veteran cybersecurity writer, hacker and analyst. Sometimes, the most critical security threats are right there ...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (WHAT THE TECH?) — You probably have at least one simple four-digit code memorized. We use them for a lot of important things like debit cards and phones. But some pin-codes are more ...

Choosing a phone PIN code that's easy to remember might be a time-saver. It's also a potential security risk. If your phone or another device is lost or stolen, an easily-guessed PIN code makes it ...

Have you ever gotten a new phone only to find out it’s locked to a specific carrier? This often happens when you purchase a subsidized phone from a carrier. The carrier locks the phone so you can’t ...

Update, May 26, 2025: This story, originally published May 24, has been updated with a brief history of PIN codes, information regarding the most secure codes you can use and why 8068 really isn’t the ...