Personal identification number

"PIN code" redirects here. For PIN code in Indian addresses, see Postal Index Number.

A personal identification number (PIN; sometimes redundantly a PIN code or PIN number) is a numeric (sometimes alpha-numeric) passcode used in the process of authenticating a user accessing a system.

The PIN has been the key to facilitating the private data exchange between different data-processing centers in computer networks for financial institutions, governments, and enterprises.[1] PINs may be used to authenticate banking systems with cardholders, governments with citizens, enterprises with employees, and computers with users, among other uses.

In common usage, PINs are used in ATM or POS transactions,[2] secure access control (e.g. computer access, door access, car access),[3] internet transactions,[4] or to log into a restricted website.

  1. ^ Higgs, Edward (1998). History and Electronic Artefacts. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198236336.
  2. ^ Martin, Keith (2012). Everyday Cryptography: Fundamental Principles and Applications. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199695591.
  3. ^ Cale, Stephane (2013). Mobile Access Safety: Beyond BYOD. Wiley Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84821-435-4.
  4. ^ "E-Commerce: A Tangled Web for PIN Debit". Digital Transactions. 1 February 2013 – via Associated Press.