Secure Your Data with Emojis

Secure Your Data with Emojis

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Jun 15, 2015

Connected to our bank accounts and smartphones are those four numbers in a specific pattern that must be used when trying to get money from an account at an ATM or when trying to access our phones. At some point in history, PIN codes were the latest-and-greatest when it came to high-level security practices, but now, with the sophistication that hacking has taken on, it’s time to get creative in securing our private data.

That’s exactly what Intelligent Environments, a UK-based company, has done. Taking the route of creativity, the company developed a system that allows symbols, mostly emojis, to be used instead of a four-digit PIN code. This makes PINs easier to remember and according to research, using emojis can be more secure than simply using digits.

A traditional PIN code of four digits only has 7,290 unique combinations, but based on 44 non-repeating emojis, Intelligent Environments’ Emoji Password makes 3,498,308 unique combinations possible. This means the “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” monkeys in combination with a heart makes your data 480 times more secure.

Tony Buzan, English author and educational consultant who popularized the ideal of mental literacy and the use of Mind Mapping, applauds the use of emojis for PINs. This is based on Buzan’s research of the human brain and its ability to work better with images by better remembering information in the form of a picture.

Cybersecurity expert Alan Woodward also voiced his support of this system, indicating that hackers would have far more combinations to work through. However, Woodward also suggested that the use of emojis should still be paired with two-factor authentication.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.