Android Pattern Locks Opened Using Video Recordings

Scientists from China and the UK have published research that reveals how to break Android’s pattern lock system using videos of people entering their patterns. Craig Young, Principal Security Researcher at Tripwire commented below.

Craig Young, Principal Security Researcher at Tripwire:

“Password based authentication is the best option in terms of securing an Android device.  It is important to remember that the lock screen pattern/pin/password is also used to derive the encryption keys for a device so it is definitely worth considering passwords for this reason as well.  Complex passwords on a phone however are rather cum66bersome which is why I recommend using a phone equipped with a fingerprint reader.  While biometric security certainly has its limitations, I feel that it will generally still hold up better against most attack vectors than a simple pattern or pin unlock code.”