He PIN It is one of the most common security methods among users, because it is easy to implement and easy to remember. But using it may have a risk to the security of the mobile phone and the stored information, and to solve it Android It has a little-known tool to minimize that problem.
For those who have a cell phone updated to Android 14 there is a function called Improved PIN privacydesigned to make it difficult for third parties to observe the code when entering it, since the device runs an animation that may be enough to guess the password.
He pin code It acts as an access key to all the information stored on our mobile. If someone maliciously obtains it, they could access critical applications such as password managers, financial services, and personal files.
This is particularly worrying due to the existence of criminals who specialize in watching people enter their codes and then stealing the device and quickly unlocking it.
Data theft through code observation is simpler than it seems. The animations that appear when you press each number on the PIN They make it easier for someone, looking over their shoulder, to memorize it. This technique is known as shoulder surfing and it is one of the most common forms of code spying.
To solve this problem, Android has incorporated the option of Improved PIN privacy. This tool allows you to disable the animations that appear when each number is pressed when entering the PINthus reducing the chances of someone observing and memorizing the sequence.
Without these animations, the person trying to figure out the PIN You would have to pay direct attention to the movement of your fingers, which complicates the task and adds an additional safety barrier. Although this feature does not completely guarantee that the code will not be discovered, it does make it much more difficult.
Activating this feature is a simple process that takes no more than a few seconds and varies slightly depending on the version of Android and the device manufacturer’s customization layer. Below we explain the general steps:
- Access the ‘Settings’ application on your Android device.
- Scroll to the ‘Security and privacy’ section and select it.
- Look for the option ‘Device unlock’ and press it.
- Within this option, you will see a settings icon (usually represented by a gear wheel) next to ‘Screen lock’. Click on it.
- Activate the call option ‘Enhanced PIN privacy’.
The Improved PIN privacy It is especially useful for those who use their phones in public places or in situations where other people might be watching. For the user, the experience of unlocking the device barely changes, but security is significantly increased.
It is important to note that this function is compatible only with the option of PIN unlock and does not apply if you use other authentication methods such as patterns or passwords.
Additionally, although disabling animations helps protect you from visual spying, it does not eliminate all the risks associated with using the PINso it is advisable to follow other good security practices, such as avoiding introducing it near strangers and not using easy-to-guess combinations of numbers (for example, ‘1234′ or ‘0000′).
It should also be taken into account that this function reached mobile phones through Android 14, Therefore, if a phone is not updated to this version or later, it will not be possible to access it and other care will have to be taken when entering the security PIN.
