Urooj Niazi 
In the digital realm of the modern world, anyone who uses mobile banking or UPI services needs to get acquainted with such a concept as MPIN. The Mobile Personal Identification Number or MPIN is a 4 or 6-digit number that protects your financial transactions in the mobile applications and only you can authorize and access banking services. Regardless of whether you are accessing a mobile application of a bank or a UPI service, the MPIN is the ATM PIN of your smartphone. It keeps you safe in terms of logging in, sending and receiving money, and guaranteeing your balance without lengthy account information. Getting to know what is MPIN is a way of secure, comfortable, and easy banking.
What Is MPIN and Why It Matters?
In order to get acquainted with modern digital banking, one should be aware of what is MPIN and how it improves security. The next one is MPIN, which is short and numeric and this is a unique identifier that certifies your identity on mobile banking application and UPI services. Similar to an ATM PIN, the MPIN will provide security of all transactions, logins and authorizations against unauthorized access. As digital payments are becoming commonplace, it is no longer possible to be a safe internet user without knowing what is MPIN.
How an MPIN Works in Mobile Banking
Once you understand what is MPIN, then you will see how vital it is in normal banking. After you have inserted an MPIN in your mobile app in the bank or UPI, it would be your online password to authorize operations. You do not have to fill your account number or IFSC code or other long information; instead, you just have to fill in the MPIN to perform transactions. This is also convenient, particularly among those who use it frequently and just need to use the apps when making quick payments, settling bills, and checking their balances.
Key Functions of MPIN
To know what is MPIN, it is necessary to know its core functions:
- Authentication: This is the MPIN that is used to authenticate who you are as you access your mobile banking account.
- Security: It helps in ensuring that even when someone is in possession of your phone; they are not able to access your funds.
- Convenience: MPIN makes the process of transacting more convenient since there is no need to fill long banking information each time.
- Standard Format: MPINs consist of 4 or 6 digits depending on the bank or the app.
These functions obviously demonstrate why it is important to know what is MPIN to ensure secure digital banking.
Where MPIN Is Used?
Mobile banking almost requires your MPIN in nearly all its key functions. Some of the common uses of it include:
- Using the mobile app of your bank.
- Sanctioning payments done in IMPS, NEFT or UPI.
- Looking at the balance of bank accounts or statements.
- Carrying out instant cash transfer.
- The completion of different mobile banking services including SMS banking or IVR banking.
Having an idea of what is MPIN will enable you to use such services without fear of abusing it.
Security Tips for Using MPIN Safely
After knowing what MPIN is, you are required to know too how to maintain its security. The MPIN security is essential as it provides access to your financial accounts. The following are some of the necessary safety tips:
- Do not disclose your MPIN: To friends and family, and even strangers, your MPIN should be kept confidential.
- Different PINs: To eliminate the chances of risks, use different MPIN and UPI PIN where possible.
- Change it every now and then: It is also an addition to the security to change your MPIN after a few months.
- Use non-sequitur numbers: Do not use birth dates, phone numbers, and repeating numbers.
- Please do not write it down: While memorizing your MPIN, you should not save it on the paper or mobile notes.
With this in mind, it is best to follow these tips to make sure that even when a person has access to your device, he/she will not be able to abuse your bank account.
Why MPIN Is Essential in the Digital Era
With the increased rate of cashless payments becoming common, it is important to know what is MPIN in order to have secure and easy payments. MPIN works as a barrier that secures your financial identity and also provides you with access to the digital banking services at any given time, anywhere. It plays a significant part in all the mobile-based financial operations; hence it is a significant aspect of the current digital banking system.
