The present invention relates to secure PIN entry in a distributed network. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a client connected to a server contains logic that is used to keep the PIN within the network computer and not send it over the network. In one embodiment, the server sends an instruction to the networked computing device telling it to capture a PIN locally. This instruction causes the networked computer to enter a secure PIN entry mode which logically disconnects the keyboard from the server. Upon receipt of the instruction from the server, one embodiment of the present invention receives keyboard entries on the client computer and places them into a local buffer. The client continues buffering the keyboard entries until an indication that the process is complete. Upon completion of the keyboard entries, they are translated into ASCII characters by the client and sent from the local client buffer to the smart card where the PIN may be verified.