Securing your Roku device offers peace of mind against a range of threats. Read this digital security expert‘s comprehensive guide on how and why to reset the Roku pin, along with pro tips for using parental controls.
What is a Roku Pin and Why Set One Up?
A Roku pin is a 4-digit personal identification number that provides an extra layer of security for your device. Here are three great reasons to use one:
Prevent Unauthorized Purchases
According to the FBI‘s 2020 Internet Crime Report, non-payment/non-delivery scams cost consumers $265 million [1]. Many of these stem from account takeovers. An attacker with access to your Roku could easily make fraudulent purchases. A Roku pin thwarts this.
In one terrifying example on Reddit, a user caught someone trying to buy $700 worth of pay-per-view UFC events on their Roku when connected to a hotel wifi [2]!
Enable Parental Controls
The Roku pin puts tight controls on what content your kids can access, similar to mobile device parental controls. Roughly 79% of parents use parental controls for watching TV [3].
Ideal for Shared Devices
Vacation rental owners often provide guests with a Roku. You need a Roku pin in these cases to control costs and prevent issues from guests installing tons of channels or purchasing movies.
In summary, Roku pins provide vital protection in an age where digital security threats lurk around every corner.
How to Easily Reset Your Roku Pin Code
If you forget your pin, want to change it periodically for sound security practices, or grant device access to family members, follow these simple steps to reset it:
Step 1) On a browser, visit Roku.com and login to your account. If you‘ve forgotten credentials, select "Forgot password".
Step 2) Click your profile picture > My Account from the top right dropdown menu.
Step 3) Under "PIN Preference", choose Update.
Step 4) Select Change PIN and create a new 4-digit code. Confirm Changes!
It‘s done. Check out the step-by-step visual guide:
[gif showing pin reset process]Easy right? Even technologically-challenged folk can handle this 2 minute process.
But WHY even use a PIN at all?
The Critical Benefits of a Roku Pin
Shield Against Fraud & Piracy Losses
Failing to secure your devices leaves you highly vulnerable to financial and identity theft. Shocking statistics:
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In 2021 consumers lost $5.8 billion to fraud, a 70% increase over 2020 [4]
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There‘s a hacking attempt every 39 seconds [5]
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70% of devices do NOT run adequate endpoint security [6]
Roku pins defend against hackers accessing your account. Otherwise they could purchase premium channels & content with your payment methods or view sensitive information like saved credentials for other services.
Based on the escalating fraud figures, taking basic security steps like using unique pins is more vital than ever.
Gain Control Over Content for Children
Parental worry over media influence on kids hits all time highs. For good reason:
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56% of apps in the Kids section of Google Play violated COPPA laws around data collection on children [7]
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The average kid spends nearly 30 hours monthly watching unsupervised YouTube videos rife with misinformation and other concerning content [8]
Roku parental controls bring back power over your kids‘ viewing. The various rating-based levels stop children from stumbling upon inappropriate stuff without your permission.
Additionally, setting restrictions on installing new apps reduces exposure to ones possibly collecting data illegally or serving up ads.
Recommended Control Levels by Age:
- Little kids: G, TV-Y, TV-G
- Older kids: PG, TV-PG
- Teens: PG-13, TV-14
Reduce Business Revenue Loss
Roku pins also provide a vital layer of financial control and transparency for organizations.
For instance, Airbnbs and hotels offering devices can limit guest activities like installing channel apps and buying movies that the property ultimately gets billed for.
Based on Airbnb host forum complaints, unauthorized Roku usage frequently catches owners by surprise through extra fees or inappropriate content viewing. Enabling purchase restrictions is key.
Bottom line – failing to set a Roku pin exposes businesses to unnecessary revenue loss and liability.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Pin
As discussed, a Roku pin unlocks key security controls. But don‘t have one yet? Follow these steps:
Step 1) Login at Roku.com
Step 2) Access "My Account" settings
Step 3) Choose "Update" under Pin Preference
Step 4) Select "Create Pin"
Step 5) Enter a 4-digit code you can remember. Confirm changes.
Check current preferences while here – "Require pin for purchases" enabled? Parental controls set appropriately? Tweak as needed.
You just took a major step towards smart Roku usage by initializing your safety net. But sometimes things still go wrong…
Common Roku Pin Troubleshooting
Glitchy technology makes troubleshooting skills mandatory. Review these common Roku pin problems and fixes:
Can‘t Remember Pin
Not to worry! Follow our instructions above for changing your Roku pin. Unlike a forgotten password, you can reset without knowing the old pin.
New Pin Not Working
First, ensure you properly saved changes. After resetting the pin, did you confirm by selecting "Save Changes"? If so, power cycle the Roku device then enter the new pin. This syncs everything.
Can‘t Access Correct Account
Attempting pin changes on the wrong Roku account will obviously show no effect. Double check you‘re logged into the account linked specifically to the problem device.
Still not working? Reach out to Roku support to investigate connection issues between your device and account.
Errors Changing the Pin
Website glitches could also be the culprit. Try clearing cookies/cache and switching browsers or devices to re-attempt pin access.
If these basic troubleshooting tips don‘t fix your pin problems, contact Roku support. They help diagnose any underlying bugs.
Maximizing Roku Parental Controls
Earlier I touched on limiting content visibility for kids via Roku‘s parental controls. Let‘s explore how this works and optimal configurations.
There are over 10,000 channels on the Roku platform spanning every genre and rating imaginable [9]. Parental controls allow selectivity.
How Content Ratings Work
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) rates movies along the following guidelines [10]:
G – General audiences, all ages admitted
PG – Parental guidance suggested, some material may not be suitable for children
PG-13 – Parents strongly cautioned, inappropriate for under 13
R – Restricted, under 17 requires parent
NC-17 – Adults only
For television, the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board establishes these ratings [11]:
TV-Y – Appropriate for all children
TV-Y7 – Appropriate for 7+ (FV added means fantasy violence may be more intense for younger viewers)
TV-G – General audience
TV-PG – Parental guidance suggested
TV-14 – Parents strongly cautioned
TV-MA – Mature audience only
Roku allows blocking anything above your preferred rating.
Setting Parental Controls
Determine which ratings suit your family, then restrict access to higher ones by adjusting parental control preferences during pin setup:
Little Kids: Permit up to TV-G and G ratings
Older Kids: Allow additionally TV-PG and PG content
Teens: Open access to TV-14 and PG-13 media
Tighter or looser limits work on an individual basis. For special occasions like movie nights, you can temporarily lift restrictions by entering your pin.
Securing Confidential Information
In addition to blocking unwanted content and purchases, properly configuring your Roku pin safeguards private data including:
- Saved credit cards numbers
- Logins/passwords for streaming apps
- Browsing/watch history
This information allows criminals to facilitating identity theft or accessing accounts for media piracy.
Follow these digital security best practices:
🔒 Unique pin for Roku account not used elsewhere
🔒 Periodically change pin every 90 days
🔒 Use maximum purchase/install restrictions
🔒 Limit account linkage to only your devices
🔒 Research sideloading risks before enabling
Adopting sound online safety habits takes minimal effort. Avoid becoming the 1 in 6 victims of identity theft yearly [12].
New Roku Pro Security Offerings
In recognition of rising consumer digital protection needs, Roku now "offers a paid subscription service to consumers which allows them to easily discover and eliminate cybersecurity risks associated with smart TVs and streaming devices." [13]
For $4.99 monthly Roku Tips+ protects against:
🔸 Risky device usage patterns
🔸 Apps tracking data or location
🔸 Connections with suspicious hotspots
🔸 Outdated software vulnerabilities
🔸 Options to instantly block concerning activity
This represents one of many digital security subscription services emerging across the industry. We‘ll likely see more innovation from Roku as consumers demand better prevention against rising threats.
How Roku Pin Security Compares
The ability to restrict purchases, content access and device usage spans platforms. Here‘s how Roku stacks up against leading alternatives:
Apple TV
Apple provides robust parental controls via restrictions settings and screen time limits by individual app [14]. Multiple user accounts allow personalized configurations. Apple also enables purchase approval requirements.
However Apple TV lacks a designated PIN capability for quick security toggling access. Instead restrictions involve more navigate menu options.
Fire TV
Amazon‘s media device allows parents to fully customize allowed content ratings per profile [15]. There‘s also purchase PINs, WiFi and app installation blocking in a designated kids mode [16].
But child profiles stay isolated from the main one without simple PIN switching capabilities on the adult account. And there‘s no temporary access elevating like on Roku.
In summary while competitors have similar offerings, Roku‘s integrated PIN system uniquely enables simple security dips and restrictions strictly for purchases versus media. This empowers selective yet strong protection.
Key Takeaways
After reading this complete guide to resetting and leveraging your Roku pin, key learnings include:
⭐ Enabling a Roku pin defends against financial theft and piracy.
Fraud crimes escalate annually. Just a four digit PIN obstructs criminals from hijacking your payment methods or viewing history.
⭐ Resetting forgotten pins is easy via roku.com.
You can setup a replacement instantly without knowing the old pin or disrupting device access.
⭐ Parental controls adjust inappropriate content visibility.
Customize restrictions to match your kid‘s maturity level. This reduces exposure to concerning media and ideologies.
Here‘s to smare medi consumption through employing your Roku security tools!
Sources:
[1] https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/internet-crime-dashboard
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/Roku/comments/q25wma/someone_tried_stealing_my_roku_account/
[3] https://www.webwise.ie/parents/explainer-parental-controls-on-streaming-services/
[4] https://www.finder.com/financial-fraud-statistics
[5] https://www.purplesec.us/resources/cyber-security-statistics
[6] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/08/huge-security-flaws-found-in-popular-roku-smart-tvs.html
[7] https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/aug/18/sandra-bookman/data-shows-apps-aimed-kids-have-history-privacy-vi/
[8] https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/the-common-sense-census-media-use-by-tweens-and-teens-2019
[9] https://www.roku.com/how-it-works
[10] https://www.filmratings.com/RatingsGuide/
[11] https://www.tvguidelines.org/resources/TheRatingsGuide.pdf
[12] https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-identity-theft-and-cybercrime
[13] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/09/08/2514366/0/en/Introducing-Roku-Tips.html
[14] https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304
[15] https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G34LMGZJRWUJWVKF
[16] https://www.tomsguide.com/us/how-to-use-parental-controls-amazon-fire-tv,review-4779.html