Guess how long it would take a computer to brute-force an 8-number password. The answer: instantly. That's according to Hive Systems' Password Table, which shows how shockingly quick passwords of ...

If you have an Apple or an Android phone—and you probably do—you have the option of locking your phone using a PIN code. With most of these phones, you can choose a four-digit PIN or a six-digit PIN.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Davey Winder is a veteran cybersecurity writer, hacker and analyst. Keeping your iPhone or Android device secure is a no-brainer.

There's nothing particularly difficult about cracking a smartphone's four-digit PIN code. All it takes is a pair of thumbs and enough persistence to try all 10,000 combinations. But hackers hoping to ...

Personal identification numbers (PINs) are vital for protecting our online banking accounts, devices, and sensitive information. And while it may seem like it is simple to make a four-digit PIN, you ...