PaperCut PIN

[thimon]

For print release, how many digits do you use for user PINs? Our users currently sign into copiers with a 4 digit PIN. My worry is that with the amount of users we have it can’t take too many tries to sign in with a random PIN. 5 numbers would dramatically reduce the chance of this happening. What method do people use for print release? (We’re hoping to use card release in the future)

[MatthewL]

We use 5 and they are randomly generated but the primary method is card but we allow login via AD login, card and PIN so there is always an option if they forget one or the other.

[ConTheITGuy]

We use 6, which they also use as their door entry codes. Randomly generated when we create the users and we import them into AD for BGInfo to read.

[enjay]

6 digit, randomly generated. We are phasing in cards as we replace the copiers. At my previous school, it was ID and PIN, which I much prefer.

 

Students use AD login details, although some struggle as the copier times out before they finish logging in. They would forget a random PIN, and based on experiences in initial IT lessons, using their DOB wouldn't be much better (plus would be easy to guess someone else's, plus there would be duplicates).

[thimon]

Thank you all. Quite clearly our 4 digit PIN length isn't enough. Will plan for this to be changed in the near future. Cheers!

[enjay]

Thank you all. Quite clearly our 4 digit PIN length isn't enough. Will plan for this to be changed in the near future. Cheers!

 

4 digit PINs give 10,000 combinations, so a roughly 1/10 chance of guessing someone else's number.

[DGardiner]

we use cards primarily, but the users can self service a pin from the papercut user page if they wish and its 8 characters to discourage it being used - handy for if they forget the cards/misplace them