If you feel secure with your Android phone's lock pattern, think again. A group of researchers from the Lancaster University, Northwest University in China, and the University of Bath found out that Android's pattern lock system can be cracked in just five attempts. What's even more mind-boggling is that the more complicated the pattern used, the more it gets easier to crack, according to these security experts.
The Pattern Lock is a security measure used to protect one's mobile devices. Despite the prevalence of fingerprint scanners in recently launched Android phones, many people still deem it as a greater alternative to PIN codes because it is easier to remember and easier to enter into their devices. In order to access their phones, users are given five attempts to draw a pattern over grid dots on their phone's screen before they are locked out.
Cracking The Code Of Your Android Phone
Using a sophisticated algorithm software, researchers were able to crack the code by filming and analyzing fingertip movements and positioning of the device. Researchers used 120 unique patterns that were collected from different users and were able to figure out more than 95% of the patterns in just 5 attempts.
The researchers expressed their concern that this method could be used by thieves in order to gain access to stolen phones and obtain personal information. This algorithm can be used by attackers across the room inside a busy café or a restaurant. An attacker could pretend to be fiddling with a phone while surreptitiously filming an unsuspecting victim.
"Pattern lock is a very popular protection method for Android devices. As well as for locking their devices, people tend to use complex patterns for important financial transactions such as online banking and shopping because they believe it is a secure system," says Dr. Zheng Wang of Lancaster University. "However, our findings suggest that using Pattern Lock to protect sensitive information could actually be very risky."
The More Complicated The Code, The Easier It Gets
The group also found out that the complicated patterns are the ones easier to crack because they narrow down the possible options. Guixin Ye, a researcher from Northwest University, added that it might even be safer to use shorter, simpler patterns instead of the more complex ones.
The researchers also suggested that Android users cover their fingers while drawing the patterns on their phones or to change their devices' screen color and brightness to pre-empt an attack.
