In addition to allowing you to sign in to the operating system with your Live ID and local account, Windows 8 includes the option to create a custom PIN that can be associated with your local account or Live ID. Although this feature was added in Windows 8 mainly for tablet device users, PC users can also create a PIN code to log into Windows.
I've been using Windows 8 since its initial public release in 2011, but only recently started using a PIN to log into the operating system. I liked this feature because with it I get access to my computer faster, since I don’t have to enter my complex password (after all, entering 4 digits is faster and easier than typing various symbols, numbers and letters), and it’s also not required Press the Enter key because after entering the last digit of the PIN code, the system automatically opens the initial screen.
I must say that a PIN is less secure than a password with numbers, upper and lower case letters, and special characters. However, it is quite safe for everyday use, especially on a home computer. On touchscreen devices, you can use a pattern password, which is more secure than a PIN.
Almost every mobile phone owner has a PIN code. Typically, this is a 4-digit code that must be entered to gain access to the phone. Our credit cards are protected in the same way, and the guide below will tell you how to create a PIN on Windows 8.
Press Win + I. The “Settings” menu will appear on the right, at the bottom of which you need to click on the “Change PC settings” button.
In PC settings, go to the “Users” section and click on the “Create PIN” button.
Enter your current password. Yes, it is necessary to have a regular password or a picture password set on your computer, otherwise the “Create PIN” function will not be available.
Then create and enter a 4-digit PIN code twice and click on the “Done” button.
That's all. To check, lock Windows 8 with the Win + L key combination and try to log in using the PIN you created. And if you want to delete the PIN code, return to the PC settings and simply click on the “Delete” button.
It's worth noting that the picture password and PIN can only be used on the local computer, so neither of these login methods will be accessible remotely.
Have a great day!
1. To set a PIN code, you need to go to the panel and in the block Pin use the button Add.
2. Even before entering the PIN code, the user is asked to confirm his identity using a valid password.
3.1 If desired, you can use not only numbers, but also letters and symbols for the PIN code. To take advantage of this opportunity, just check the box next to the option Include letters and symbols.
3.2 There are some security rules in place for PIN codes that do not allow combinations to be set too simple. You can view their list by following this link PIN code requirements in the same window Setting up a PIN code. Organizations are given the opportunity to tighten these requirements at their discretion; in your case, they may differ.
Changing, deleting and resetting your PIN
1. If necessary, the PIN code can be changed or deleted at any time; the corresponding functions are available in the same panel Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → Pin, are called by buttons with self-explanatory names Change And Delete.
2. To change the PIN code, after pressing the button Change, you need to indicate the previous combination, enter and confirm the new one, and then apply the changes by clicking on the button OK.
2.1 You can change your PIN code without entering a previously used combination by using the reset function offered at the link I don't remember my PIN code in the panel Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → Pin. In the window that opens, you just need to follow the instructions of the wizard. Resetting may lead to the loss of confidential data; after the reset, you will need to re-enter games, applications, social networks, access to which was limited by the PIN code.
3. To remove the PIN code after pressing the button Delete, you need to once again confirm your intention by clicking on the button of the same name again, and then enter a valid password confirming your identity.
Friends, I personally don’t use the PIN code of SIM cards, because I don’t see the need for it, for ten years now. Modern smartphones, including Xiaomi smartphones, have fairly good protection, of course the phone, not the SIM card. But you must admit, once in the past it was the PIN code that was used to protect phones. On the other hand, I agree with those users who will tell me: “What to do when it is a bank SIM card, that is, a SIM card whose number is linked to bank accounts?” Then yes, you need to set a PIN code on the SIM card. But let's return to our question.
Video instruction
Just recently one of my friends asked me: “Listen, Andrey, how can I set the SIM card PIN code on my Xiaomi?” Of course, I didn’t refuse him and decided to help him deal with this issue. To be honest, at first this seemed like a very simple question to me. But when I picked up his phone and started looking for the SIM card settings to set a PIN, I realized that it was not so simple. That’s exactly why I decided to write a short article on the topic: How to quickly remove or set the PIN code of a SIM card on Xiaomi Miui 9 smartphones.
When I picked up the phone and started looking for the SIM card settings to set a PIN, I realized that it was not so simple
At first I thought that I would find all these settings in the “Sim cards and mobile networks” section - it’s not even worth going there (then I realized that I had not used a PIN code for a very long time). Then I thought that I would definitely find this in the “Blocking and Protection” section, because there are all the settings related to the security of the smartphone. By the way, in this section you can set up fingerprints, as this is described in detail in our other article here. But, unfortunately, I didn’t find the necessary SIM card settings here either.
Only after some time (maybe 5 minutes, or maybe all 10 minutes) I managed to resolve this issue. Well, in order to remove or set the SIM card PIN code on Xiaomi Miui 9 smartphones, follow the instructions below!
Instructions for setting a PIN on a SIM card:
Unlock your smartphone and go to the settings menu - to do this, you need to pull the curtain down and press the gear-shaped button;
Next, you need to go down a little in the menu and click on the Advanced settings field;
In advanced settings, find Privacy - click;
It is in the Privacy section that you will find the necessary SIM card settings and set or remove the PIN code - scroll down a little and find SIM card lock;
I’ll add on my own behalf - before you do these or other actions, think carefully about whether you need to do this at all, because the security of your phone number and bank account (if an account is linked to this number) depends on this. If you have any difficulties, do not hesitate - ask questions in the comments below, and together we will try to solve your problem.
Stay tuned, there is still a lot of interesting things to come!
For most, a phone or tablet is no longer just a device for accessing the Internet or a way to contact someone, but also a device that stores your personal information: photos, videos, bank card information, contacts, social network passwords, etc. And each of us wondered how to protect this data, one of the simplest ways is setting a password on your phone or tablet. Password protection is a compromise between convenience and security; you choose the type of password and regulate its complexity. In this article, I will show in detail what types of passwords exist for the Android OS and how to set them.
There are several types of passwords in Android:
1) Password;
4) Face recognition.
To choose one of the methods, open the "Settings" menu.
Select "Lock Screen", on some device models you need to go to "Security".
I propose to analyze each of the methods, and start with the safest ones.
Set a password on Android.
This method is the best way to ensure security for accessing information on a smartphone/tablet, since you can come up with a very complex password that will be incredibly difficult to hack/guess.
Select "Password".
Create and enter a password using numbers, letters (capitals, uppercase) and special letters. signs.
The minimum password should contain a minimum of 4 characters, a maximum of 17. There is little in the password that limits you and it is quite easy to come up with a really complex password. The only thing to consider:
a) Do not forget the specified password;
b) Please note that it must be entered every time you unlock the device and entering 17 characters takes quite a long time.
Setting a PIN code on a smartphone/tablet.
Another way to secure your mobile device is to use a PIN code. This method is less secure because it involves using only numbers in the password.
Select "PIN code" from the list of methods.
Installing a graphic key.
Another way to secure your gadget is to install a pattern key. This method is quite convenient to use, since you need to select a pattern as a password. Its disadvantage is that with standard 9 points, this method provides 389,122 combinations, which today is not so much.
Select "Pattern Key".
The minimum requirement is to connect 4 points.
Please re-enter.
Face recognition as a phone/tablet unlocker.
This method, it would seem, will be a standard and it is almost impossible to hack it, since all faces, like fingerprints, are unique. But bypassing such unlocking is quite simple; to do this, you need to have a photo of the owner of the mobile device, and today almost any photo can be obtained from social networks, Instagram and other services. There are variations using the face and voice, but such a combination also does not complicate the hacking process much. Plus, you must not forget that you may find yourself in a dark room or in a place where it will be extremely inconvenient to bring the gadget to your face.
Smart Lock feature in Android.
Starting with version 5 of Android, the Smart Lock feature appeared, which can make access to the device easier. What is Smart Lock? You specify the conditions under which a password, PIN code or pattern code will not block your phone/tablet. What conditions can be used:
1) Reliable devices. They can be a Bluetooth watch, a Bluetooth speakerphone in a car, or an NFC tag in a car. For example, if the watch is near you, then unlocking the phone/tablet is not required.
2) You can specify a geographic location where a password is not required, such as home, place of work, etc.
4) Physical contact. The mobile device will be unlocked as long as it remains in contact with you (in your hands, pocket, bag).
Naturally, in order to use certain conditions, it is necessary to use the appropriate sensors (GSM, take a photo, connect a Bluetooth watch, etc.).
We must admit that such a function will be extremely convenient if you actively use your phone or tablet. But keep in mind that each of the conditions leaves a small loophole for attackers.
If you're doing a clean install of Windows 10 1803 (or upgrading from a previous version, as Twitter tells me) and choose to sign in with a Microsoft Account (MSA), you'll be prompted to create a PIN that you can't refuse. The decision is controversial, and it immediately generated outrage on social networks.
Of course, after installation, the PIN code can be deleted in Options — Accounts — Login Options, but there is an interesting nuance. The next time the system boots, the login screen prompts you to enter a password, but the option to log in with a PIN is highlighted (red arrow) because the last login was with one.
And if in this situation you enter a password, then on the next screen you will again be forced to create a PIN code, and this is already a very unfortunate UX. In the end, you can refuse, but it’s easier to immediately choose to log in with a password.
PIN code is not a replacement for password
If only because you can’t create it without a password. For home users with a Microsoft account, the PIN code is primarily about convenience (and the more complex the password, the more convenient the PIN code is:)
Windows 10 doesn't let you set too common PIN codes
These are combinations in which the difference between adjacent numbers is always the same.
- Not allowed: 1111, 2345, 1357, 9630
- Possible: 1115, 2346, 1358, 9530
PIN is safer in a number of scenarios
It is tied to the device, stored only on it, protected by TPM. It is not transmitted over the network like a password, which is one of the main aspects of security [in an organization]. Microsoft's extensive explanation.
The PIN is not limited to four digits and allows other characters
If you wish, you can make it as complex as your password.
And if earlier this had to be enabled by politicians, then at some point (it seems like in 1709) a checkbox was added directly to the PIN code creation dialog.
Bonus: Profile name depending on account type
Returning to the question clean installation, there is one more nuance, which for some will be more important than the PIN code. When logging in with MSA, your profile folder name is based on the first 5-6 characters of your email address. For example, if my MSA [email protected], then my profile will be sterk.
A workaround for this is to create a local (standalone) account with a desired name (let's say Vadim) that can be linked to the MSA after logging in. However, now they are forced to come up with security questions for a local account :) It is better to give answers to them that are not related to the questions.
If you did not foresee such a scenario and received an unwanted profile name, in KB2454362 you will find instructions on how to change the account name and, accordingly, the name of the profile folder.
Do you use a PIN or biometrics to log in?
