We like to think that the Android lock pattern is a pretty secure, yet easy-to-use, method of securing our smart devices, however according to Marte Løge, recent graduate of Norwegian University of Science and Technology, a poorly chosen Android lock pattern is about as useful as using “password” as your password. Studying over 4,000 patterns as part of her master’s thesis, Løge discovered some unsettling results –  according to her research, 77% of participants start their Android lock pattern from one of the four corners and a massive 44% of those participants started from the top left.
Other notable observations from Løge’s thesis is that most Android lock patterns only use 4 nodes (of the possible 9) and 10% of participants use lock patterns that are derived from the alphabet. I guess the moral of the story is the same as always – your password is only as good as you make it, and it’s only good if it’s suitably complex. To this end, if you are concerned about making your lock pattern secure, Løge suggests that you choose a pattern that involves more nodes and utilizes “crossovers” so that the pattern is hard to trace. Now excuse me while I change my lock pattern.
What do you think about this research on the Android lock pattern? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: ArsTechnica via engadget
