Behold, The World’s First Emoji-Only Password Because PIN Codes Are Just Too Mainstream
A password you wouldn't be able to forget.
By John Lim — 17 Jun 2015, 05:47 PM
An emoji often speaks louder than words, that's why we love them so much. In fact, did you know that Malaysians are the #1 users of the poop and fart emojis in the world?
Well, we have some good news for you emoji lovers out there. Your favourite smiling poop could be moving out from your phones to ATM machines!
A UK-based software company that specialises in banking security has created what it's calling the world's first emoji-only password
Intelligent Environments, a UK firm that makes digital banking software, has created what it's calling the "world’s first emoji-only passcode," offering a choice of 44 emoji that can be used to create a four-character PIN. The company says this means there are 3,498,308 possible permutations for non-repeating emoji pass codes, compared to just 7,290 for traditional non-repeating PIN.
theverge.com
According to the company, it is more secure than traditional PINs and passwords
Emoji Passcode is mathematically more secure than traditional methods. There are 480 times more permutations using emojis over traditional four digit passcodes. In addition, it will prevent hackers from identifying common and easily obtainable numerical passcodes, like a date of birth or a wedding anniversary.
It is easier to remember too! Multiple pictures of little monkeys covering and opening their eyes are definitely more memorable than a bunch of boring numbers.
This new emoji security technology is also easier to remember as research shows humans remember pictures better than words. Memory expert Tony Buzan, and inventor of the Mind Map technique, said: “The Emoji Passcode plays to humans’ extraordinary ability to remember pictures, which is anchored in our evolutionary history. We remember more information when it’s in pictorial form, that’s why the Emoji Passcode is better than traditional PINs.”
However, don't get too excited yet. Some experts have argued that emoji passwords are not really that secure.
Former memory champion Michael Tipper told the BBC the technique for remembering a sequence of either numbers or pictures was essentially the same. "Fundamentally we are hard-wired to remember pictures," he said.
However, people are lazy and they will adopt the easiest way through. "Statistically it will be harder to crack - but if you're presented with a screen of emojis and you can't be bothered to remember a sequence you're going to pick the ones in the four corners or the top row - and then you are left with an equally insecure technology."
No banks have signed up to use this concept yet nor had the company patented the idea. So in the meantime, stick back to emoji spamming your friends!
Intelligent Environments' managing director David Webber told BBC News that the company hadn't patented the idea, meaning any bank that wants to introduce emoji PIN codes can do so.
theverge.com