Pin Memorization and Storing Technique

In this post, I introduce you to a very simple, yet efficient technique to memorize and secretly store PIN (Personal Identification Number). I want to do this by using an Android App that I have created some time ago to illustrate the concept. Please take note that this technique is not new nor is it my invention; I have just created the App from an old, known concept. I have personally learned this "old-school" technique from an ex-boss who is a wise, old man with myriad of old, yet efficient tricks and hacks. Please click on the following link to check out the App in the Playstore!

Pin and Code Memorizer

Figure 1. Pin and Code Memorizer Logo

I have initially developed this for my personal use. As I have found how useful it was for me (true, no marketing jambalaya), I thought it would be nice of me to share it and teach people about it! =]  But I have to admit that I haven't done a great job at explaining the concept when I talk to people about it. So hopefully, I do a much better job with this post here!

Let's move forward...

Motivation: Why would I need a secured PIN memorization and storage technique?

It is fair to say that people nowadays are deeply submerged into the virtual 'world' and heavily rely on technology to be productive... well, for leisure too. There is simply too many different sources of data and information, accounts that we have to manage, personal data that we want to protect, and passwords we have to remember to protect these information. Just take PIN's for example, how many PIN's do you have to memorize to secure your 'virtual' data and accounts. I could easily point out the PIN for your phone and its SIM Card, for debit and credit cards, some online accounts, and possibly for Identification Smartcards too!! And who knows, maybe you'll need a couple of PIN's more in the near future when the Internet of Things emerges.

Figure 2. SIM PIN Prompt Screenshot

Yes sure, you could encrypt the PIN's and save them in a virtual private vault, or write them on a piece of paper. But keep in mind that you will secure those PIN's with an additional password; if you forget it, you might not be able to recover your PIN's! Needless to say, writing them on a piece of paper is not safe at all. Memorize them all you say? Well this is the safest way!, but good luck memorizing them all... and not forgetting them. Use only one PIN for all your credit cards? What if the PIN is accidentally discovered by a third party? Then you would have to change all your PIN's to re-secure the accesses if he/she has not already gained access to the accounts.

For these reasons, the need of low-complexity and safe PIN storage technique is warranted. The technique that I am proposing actually deals with all problems and drawbacks mentioned above. Whether you choose to use the app (or any other similar app) or plain-old hard copy, you may have the risk of losing the PIN's if you don't have a backup!

Concept: So how does it work?

The concept relies on using some charts composed of blocks with random colors and numbers as shown below.

Figure 3. Example Chart Screenshot

Essentially, you would want to conceal your PIN inside this chart in a pattern that only you know. Even if a person for one reason or another gets access to your chart, without your secret pattern he/she won't be able to decipher the PIN from this random-looking chart. So, don't worry if your charts are stolen!

Basically, you are hiding your PIN inside a chart that others would view as a bunch of blocks with random numbers and colors. For you to make sense out of it, you will have to memorize one pattern of your own. Your pattern can be based on position, color, and numbers. You could apply this same secret pattern to different charts to conceal different PIN's!

Not convinced? Well, let's look at a couple of examples to let the concept sink in...

Example 1: Using Colors as Pattern

Let's look at the chart in Figure 4, below. A PIN of mine (not really) is concealed in the chart with a pattern that I have memorized. I can tell you my pattern is based on color. Could you guess what my PIN is? I doubt it.

Figure 4. Example Chart 1

Now I need to retrieve the PIN, and I know that each digit of my PIN is placed to the Left of the first 4 Blue blocks. Looking at the chart, I find my PIN to be 4267, as shown in Figure 5.

 

Figure 5. Example Chart 1 with PIN Selected

The pattern is ultimately your protection against other viewers. You are obviously not constrained to choosing a pattern based on color. Let's look at another example.

Example 2: Using Positions as Pattern

Let's do the same exercise as before. I have a very important PIN concealed here based on position. What is my PIN?

Figure 6. Example Chart 2

Well, the digits of the PIN are placed at the Top and Bottom of every Fourth Column. So, my PIN is 6061. This pattern was a bit complicated and uninteresting, but it is here just to illustrate the point. You may choose a simpler one, or even a more complex pattern.

Figure 7. Example Chart 2 with PIN Selected

Now, let's look at the last example...

Example 3: Using Numbers as Pattern

As usual, I have the PIN of my credit card (maybe?) concealed here based on numbers. What is my PIN?

Figure 8. Example Chart 3

My PIN's digits are found after the first 4 multiple of 3 numbers scanned from Left to Right, Top to Bottom. So scanning through we find 9 is multiple of 3, our first digit is 6. The next multiple of 3 number is 9, so the second digit is 2, and so on to find that our PIN is 6245, as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 8. Example Chart 3 with PIN Selected

Conclusion

I hope the previous examples have illustrated the concept of this technique (and the App). Please feel free to try it out if you like the concept. If you don't like to use Apps, you could easily make the same chart on excel and print a hard copy out in colors! Of course, there are tons of possibilities you could use as pattern by mixing the different criteria for pattern. Use your own creativity!

And If you are still not convinced of the level of security that this simple technique offers, then I would really appreciate if you share other methods you use or know of! Hope you are satisfied with this simple trick, and it serves useful to you!