The trial of Alex Murdaugh for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul shocked the nation. It was a case filled with lies, betrayal, and ultimately, justice. But buried within the courtroom drama was a digital mystery that took months to unravel: Paul Murdaugh’s iPhone. Locked with a six-digit passcode, the phone held a critical secret that helped secure Alex’s conviction. The key to unlocking it? Paul’s birthday.
This story unfolds like a thriller, and it’s a cautionary tale for anyone concerned about digital security. While the simplicity of Paul’s passcode ultimately brought justice, it also underscores why predictable passcodes can jeopardize your privacy.
The Night of the Murdaugh Murders
On June 7, 2021, Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were found shot to death at the family’s hunting estate in South Carolina. Investigators believed the family patriarch, Alex Murdaugh, was the prime suspect. However, Alex claimed he wasn’t at the scene of the murders that evening.
Paul’s iPhone, recovered at the crime scene, became a focal point in the investigation. Investigators hoped it might hold clues that could confirm or contradict Alex’s alibi. But there was an immediate problem. The phone was locked with a six-digit passcode.
Paul Murdaugh’s Locked iPhone
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, or SLED, began trying to unlock Paul’s phone, as reported by NBC News. Investigators first guessed obvious options, like family birthdays and anniversaries, but failed repeatedly. Each failed attempt triggered Apple’s security features:
- Temporary Lockouts: After a few incorrect guesses, the phone was temporarily disabled, delaying further attempts.
- Risk of Permanent Lockout: Too many failed entries could permanently lock the phone or even erase its data.
Lt. Britt Dove, a digital forensics expert with SLED, explained the pressure investigators faced. They couldn’t afford too many wrong guesses, but they also couldn’t access vital evidence without cracking the passcode.
When manual attempts failed, investigators turned to advanced tools. The phone was sent to the U.S. Secret Service. Using digital forensics technology designed to bypass iPhone encryption, the Secret Service attempted to crack the passcode. Despite their efforts, Apple’s security measures thwarted the attempts. Months passed with no success. Investigators knew the phone likely contained evidence critical to the case, but it remained locked.
The No Tech Breakthrough
Months into the investigation, with no progress from high-tech solutions, investigators decided to revisit an earlier idea: trying Paul’s birthday. Entering 041499, for April 14, 1999, the phone unlocked instantly.
This seemingly obvious passcode opened the door to a treasure trove of evidence. Among the findings was a video taken at 8:44 PM on the night of the murders. The video, recorded at the family’s dog kennels, captured Alex Murdaugh’s voice in the background—directly contradicting his alibi that he wasn’t at the scene. This video became a cornerstone of the prosecution’s case, providing irrefutable proof that Alex was lying about his whereabouts that night.
What We Can Learn From Paul Murdaugh’s Passcode
Paul’s use of his birthday as a passcode was a double-edged sword. For law enforcement, it was a stroke of fortune. An easily guessed code that helped secure justice for Paul and his mother. But from a security standpoint, it was a glaring vulnerability.
Birthdays, anniversaries, and similar dates are among the first combinations anyone, be it investigators, hackers, or thieves will try when attempting to unlock a device. Further, personal information like birthdays is often available on social media, public records or through casual conversations with you or people who know you. If your passcode is easily guessable, it undermines modern cell phone security. While devices like iPhones use strong encryption, a predictable passcode makes these features effectively useless.
How to Create a Stronger 6-Digit Passcode
If Paul’s case has you rethinking your phone’s passcode, here’s how to create one that’s secure yet practical:
- Avoid Personal Information: Skip birthdays, anniversaries, or any numbers tied to your identity.
- Use a Random Sequence: Choose a completely random six-digit code, such as 479263 or 831504. Avoid patterns like 123456 or repeated digits like 111111.
- Create a Memorable But Unique Code: If you need something easier to remember, try a mnemonic. For example, you could combine unrelated numbers, like the last three digits of two different phone numbers.
Predictable Passcodes Are A Problem
Paul Murdaugh’s birthday passcode helped bring justice in a high-profile murder case. But for the average person, such predictability could have devastating consequences. Your phone likely contains sensitive information such as photos, messages and financial data that you wouldn’t want to fall into the wrong hands. While a six-digit passcode is a significant security improvement over four-digits, the lesson here is clear—even your six-digit passcode is only as strong as its unpredictability.
