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> So, I asked for random numbers in the format of XXX-XX-XXXX along with fake names and addresses, and it happily obliged. Most social security numbers aren't
by dharmab 3y ago
> So, I asked for random numbers in the format of XXX-XX-XXXX along with fake names and addresses, and it happily obliged.
Most social security numbers aren't random- for most of the programs history certain digits encode information.
- tpurves 3y agoBut, unless you are working for the gov, it's also unlikely most apps you might build depends on any of the encoded meaning. So random digits should work fine for most people's testing purposes.
- turquoisevar 3y agoIt used to be that way, but they’ve changed to random enumeration a decade or so ago. Sadly not everyone has gotten that memo. As an immigrant I got one assigned to me that would’ve originated from a specific state before this change, now every once in a while when I go through those identity quizzes by credit agencies it’ll ask me in which state my SSN was assigned and I need to choose the state that used to correspond with those first few numbers even though I’ve never set foot in that state, otherwise it’ll fail the quiz.
- mikedillion 3y agoIt's more about liability.
- awwaiid 3y agoIndeed -- https://www.computerworld.com/article/2526471/study--social-security-numbers-are-predictable.html https://www.computerworld.com/article/2526471/study--social-...
- Zuiii 3y agoYep, CGP Grey did a good (and entertaining) video on the topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erp8IAUouus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erp8IAUouus