Microsoft PIN revolution the new “advance”

Hello, if you recently upgraded for Windows 10. You may have noticed this notification: 

“Using a PN is faster and more secure than a password – we think you'll love it.”

This got me thinking, how can a 4 digits PIN code ever be safer then a long password with all the rules they require nowadays. 8 characters or more, special symbols, numbers, etc.

I could not figure it out, so I had to do some research on the topic, and this is what I found out in the end.

First and foremost the “PIN” code will not directly increase the security of your computer, but it definitely increases the security of your online account with Microsoft.

How is it possible?

• The PIN is only used to log in a particular computer, but does not guarantee access to the all the accounts that the owner may have used on that computer before.

• The idea seems to be: In case shit happens and someone manage to enter this PC he will only have access to this single computer, but will leave the rest of the network safe.

One advantage of the PIN system is that it is required for the “user” to be physically present to insert the PIN code on the keyboard. There is no remote access to go around that so far.

Windows 10 now also supports Biometrics security features to complement the PIN code. All those measures require the physical presence of the owner to log in on the account.

And another safety benefit you will get is: In case an hacker gets an hold on your Microsoft account. As it stands at the moment he can get access to all the systems associated with that account. But if you are using a PIN code the hacker will not be able to take control over your system without being able to insert the PIN , therefore it will also indirectly increase your PC security.

But if sometime in the near future you hear that someone remotely gained access to a Windows system by entering the PIN [REMOTELY], at that moment the PIN securety will become a huge risk, because obviously they are extra easy to crack by a brute force attack. If that ever happens I recommend you to disable your PIN code as soon as possible.

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