PINtunnistusta

PIN-tunnistus, or PIN-based identification, is a Finnish electronic method for proving a user’s identity when accessing online services. It is typically provided by a financial institution, most often the user’s bank, and relies on the user knowing a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

In practice, the user initiates a login by providing identifying information such as a personal identity number, and the bank’s authentication system verifies the credentials. The service then issues a secure authentication token that allows access to the requested online service. The exact flow may vary by bank and can involve confirming the login via a bank app, a hardware device, or a biometric check offered by the bank.

PIN-tunnistus is used across a range of online services in Finland, including online banking, government portals, and other platforms that support bank-based identification. It is one of several methods used to satisfy strong customer authentication under relevant regulations.

Security considerations emphasize that PIN-tunnistus combines something the user knows (the PIN) with something the user possesses (the bank’s app or device). Users are advised to keep the PIN confidential, avoid using public or shared devices for authentication, and be vigilant against phishing attempts that imitate legitimate login flows.

Compared with newer, standardized identification solutions such as Suomi.fi-tunnistus or BankID, PIN-tunnistus may be offered by individual banks and is sometimes viewed as a legacy or supplementary option. The Finnish identity landscape comprises multiple methods, with organizations selecting the approach that best fits their security requirements and user base.