Almost all residential security systems come with a passcode feature to turn off the alarm. Depending on how many digits you are allowed to choose, there are almost infinite passcodes. To keep your home effectively protected, you must select a passcode that is not easily guessed. Here are some "do's" and "do nots" to help you make a good passcode choice.

Do Not Select a Single Birthdate

Selecting a single birthdate is too easily guessed. For example, say that your birthdate is 10/22/1983, so you choose a six-digit passcode that is 102283. Anyone that knows anything about you could guess that, and anyone that has spent time scouting out your home would figure out the passcode easily. This also applies to wedding anniversary dates, since people tend to select important and significant dates in their lives. 

Do Select More Than One Birthdate

If the occupants of your home include you, your spouse or partner, and two to four children. choose four to six birthday numbers. Mix them up. You can use just the months, like this:  2-7-8-9-10, where double digit months act as two separate digits somewhere in the code, or use just the dates, where each two-digit date counts as two digits in the code, like this: 8-19-24-2. If ALL the birthdate days and months of those living in the house have two digits, then select three people's months or days to create a passcode. You could also choose the ages of each person in the house, which is even more secure because it requires you to change the passcode each time a family member has a birthday.

Do Not Use Sequential Numbers

Yes, you forget passwords and passcodes too easily, so you make them easier to remember. However, using 1-2-3-4-5-6 or 10-9-8-7-6 is NOT a good idea. These may easier for you to remember, but they are particularly easy guesses for an intruder that wants to turn off your alarm.

Do Use Series of Numbers That Make Sense, Ending the Sequence Unexpectedly

To select a a passcode this way, choose a series of numbers that makes sense and then deviates from the expected ending. For example, maybe you would use even numbers starting with 2. The sequence would be 2-4-6-8-19. You chose a double-digit odd number to end the sequence, making it difficult to guess what the last two numbers could be. You could also do something like using Pi to the fourth digit, and then throwing two random and unrelated digits on the end.

For more help, get in touch with a company like All Pro Security.

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