A method for providing an alternate keypad arrangement in a virtual keypad is presented. In the alternate keypad arrangement, the virtual keys are laid out in a non-sequential arrangement. In one embodiment, the labels displayed on the virtual keys appear sequential, however the values registered when the user presses the virtual key does not match the label and, hence, the values are laid out in a non-sequential manner. Using alternate keypad arrangements arranged in patterns enables the user to use a common pattern, or patterns easily remembered by the user, for a wide variety of authentication data used to access a wide variety of systems. Rather than remembering the specific PIN codes and passwords, the user simply remembers a pattern and selects virtual keys that match the pattern.