Lock screen pattern?

[Robert7107]

Someone i know recently had there phone stolen and unfortunately they had valuable information on it the thief was able to use it and cost the phone owner thousands of dollars... They didn't have a lock pattern just a swipe to unlock....
They usually dont leave there phone around unattended on a regular basis... They just happened to do it this one time because phone was charging and they thought they had it hidden but not well enough...
Iam very similar i keep my phone with me at all times outside of my home but find the need to charger it at work from time to time and leave it hidden unattended for hours....
Do lock patterns work???

 

[Digital Controller]

What do you mean?

In what I am understanding, yes they do work, in fact if the perpetrator gets the password wrong enough the phone will automatically factory reset itself, causing all your information to be deleted off your device.

Not only that, once you realize your phone has been stolen, certain carriers allow for remote deactivation, meaning the phone can no longer be used.

A good thread to read up on this issue is right here: http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/691455-lost-stolen-locked-out-device-read-here.html

 

[chanchan05]

Depends on a lot of things. Sometimes if you don't use a screen protector, you can see the pattern on the screen based on the grase left by sweat and stuff so you'd want to wipe your screen off after you use it. A PIN is less easier to crack with that method of course, but it's still prone to quick eyes for premeditated stealing. But having some for of security is better.

You could also use a security app like Bitdefender, AVAST, Cerberus or Lookout. These apps have a feature where you can send an SMS command or via a web interface to make the phone go into lockdown and tracking mode, or to wipe the device of any information remotely.

 

[Stuntman]

At least on my phone, when I unlock using the pattern lock, I actually use my phone quite a bit and all of the smudge marks from using the phone would smudge the marks I used when unlocking the phone. I have hear a story where someone did manage to guess a friend's pattern lock. However, I have not heard this to be a wide spread problem.

 

[fdbryant3]

Reading the "patten smear" is regarded as vulnerability the makes it less secure than a PIN or password.

Personally I just took the pattern I was using and turned it into a PIN. I can enter it just as fast and accurately. I double up one of the numbers just to make it more complex just in case someone should figure out the numbers based on screen marks.