Is birth dates usage acceptable when changing combination numbers?

Is birth dates usage acceptable when changing combination numbers?

• A. Yes, it is acceptable.
• B. It is acceptable only if not your own birth date.
• C. It is acceptable for temporary access.
• D. No, it is not acceptable under any circumstances.

Answer: (D)

Birth dates are not acceptable as a combination number because they are low-entropy and often easy to discover. A secure code should be unpredictable and not tied to personal information that others can guess, infer from public sources, or learn about you through social media or public records. Using a date structure, formats like MMDDYYYY or similar, gives attackers a much smaller space to test and makes guessing feasible. When changing combination numbers, the goal is to maximize resistance to guessable information. That’s why you should use a random, high-entropy code generated by a trusted source, with sufficient length, and avoid any codes derived from personal data. For temporary access, the same principle applies: issue a time-limited, randomly generated code that does not rely on birth dates or other personal identifiers, and invalidate it after use or expiration. This approach keeps access secure even if someone knows you or can learn bits about you.

Birth dates are not acceptable as a combination number because they are low-entropy and often easy to discover. A secure code should be unpredictable and not tied to personal information that others can guess, infer from public sources, or learn about you through social media or public records. Using a date structure, formats like MMDDYYYY or similar, gives attackers a much smaller space to test and makes guessing feasible.

When changing combination numbers, the goal is to maximize resistance to guessable information. That’s why you should use a random, high-entropy code generated by a trusted source, with sufficient length, and avoid any codes derived from personal data. For temporary access, the same principle applies: issue a time-limited, randomly generated code that does not rely on birth dates or other personal identifiers, and invalidate it after use or expiration. This approach keeps access secure even if someone knows you or can learn bits about you.