Should you keep your devices' serial numbers confidential?
Like every person on planet Earth, they have their own unique identification card. Electronic devices - such as your phone, laptop , keyboard, mouse , etc. - and almost everything you buy also have a unique identification card known as a serial number. The purpose of this seems obvious; to easily identify the specifications of the devices.
But the question here is.. Should these numbers be kept private and kept away from the eyes of others, so that they are treated like passwords? Or is there no concern in revealing them by someone else or sharing them on the Internet? Well, to find out the answer, let's learn from this topic everything related to Serial numbers, starting from their description and what they are used for until discovering whether disclosing them is a risky matter or not. Let's start directly in the following lines.
What is the serial number?
Simply put, a serial number is a unique identifier that is randomly assigned during the manufacturing process of a product. Serial numbers don't have to be a "number" and can contain a combination of letters and symbols in addition to numbers, so one of your devices might look like "12345678910" while another might look like "ABC123!@#". Some devices also shorten the serial number to "S/N" instead of "Serial Number".
However, this unique identifier allows manufacturers to distinguish between devices that are otherwise identical. Through the serial numbers, these companies can know where the device came from, when it was manufactured, and other information. So when we need warranty service for the device, the company can know that you have a unique device that is not a counterfeit and verify that it has not previously received any warranty service. Without this unique number, the company will not be able to track the device and know information about it.
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Where can I find the serial number (for electronic devices)?
There are several different ways to find out the serial numbers of electronic devices. This number is often placed on a sticker somewhere on the device, so try turning the device over, whether it is a laptop, mouse or keyboard, and there is a chance that you will see its serial number. For desktop computers, you may see the number on the back of the computer or on a sticker inside the case.
If you don't see a sticker, you'll often find the serial number printed on the back of the device itself. For example, on Apple's iPhones and MacBooks, you'll see the serial number printed on the bottom back [as shown in the image above].
But for smartphones in general, you will find the serial number in the software itself. That is, it is stored within the operating system and can be accessed by going to Settings, then scrolling down the list and clicking on About Phone. There, information about the phone is displayed, including the serial number. There is also a chance that you will find this number on a sticker on the box in which the device was packaged.
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What are serial numbers used for (for electronic devices)?
Serial numbers are generally used for warranty service and repairs, not for any other purpose. For example, if you have an HP device, you can use the serial number for that device to check the validity of the warranty . If you give the company the serial number, they can find out when you purchased the device.
Computer manufacturers as well as smartphone manufacturers often provide such a service to check warranty eligibility via serial number. They also provide a service to request a new warranty via this number in addition to providing other information that confirms your purchase of the device.
Apple also offers a service to check the Activation Lock status of the iPhone or iPad using the serial number only. By viewing the Activation Lock status, you can know whether your device is usable or blocked from Apple servers. This is a security feature that prevents thieves from erasing data from the phone and reselling it. Therefore, checking the Activation Lock is important when buying an iPhone or iPad from someone online. This is what we reviewed together in our topic on how to avoid buying a stolen iPhone
Should serial numbers not be disclosed?
So, should serial numbers be kept secret? They are unique but public numbers. Let's say you throw the box your phone was in in the trash and someone picks it up, they'll have your phone's serial number. But in general, the chances of someone knowing the serial number of your device getting you in trouble are very low.
Otherwise, serial numbers are always printed on the device itself, so anyone who gets hold of your phone can easily look at the back and record the serial number without you noticing.
Furthermore, serial numbers are generally visible in stores. If there is an advantage in knowing serial numbers, anyone can go to an electronics store and write down the numbers listed on the boxes. If you need your phone serviced, for example, even from a company other than the one that manufactured it - they will most likely ask you for the serial number of the device so they can know what parts and components are needed to fix it. You shouldn't feel anxious about giving serial numbers to service centers, after all, it is printed on the device itself and they can figure it out without you even asking.
It is unlikely that someone will try to use your device's serial number to cause problems for you, hack your devices, get information about you, or spy on you. Dear! The serial number is not like a password or a credit card number. No one can use the serial number to hack your device.
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On the other hand, you shouldn’t take a screenshot or take a picture of the serial number of one of your electronic devices and then post it on Facebook, Instagram, or any other platform. It’s a bad idea to publish such unique numbers in general. It’s okay to share it on the manufacturer’s website, but don’t post it anywhere else.
A Lenovo representative previously warned against publishing serial numbers for electronic devices that are still under warranty, as they can be used by others to order replacement parts, change the warranty status, or obtain detailed information about the device, as some companies have warranty policies that are so “generous” that they can be exploited only by a serial number.
For example, someone could enter the serial number of someone else's keyboard into the manufacturer's website, say their keyboard is broken and ask for a replacement, and if that company's warranty policy is "generous" they might send that person a new keyboard, while the person who owns the actual keyboard has no idea.
Generally, the chances of someone using your serial number to fraudulently claim a warranty replacement are very low, but it's best not to share your devices' serial numbers online.