Pattern-Drawing + Fingerprints = Bad Security

[XerxesQados]

I rather liked Android's screen locking method of making you connect dots in a certain pattern. Until I saw the shape of my pattern displayed clearly in fingerprint smudges when light reflects off the screen. Not too hard for someone else to get into the phone now.

So...does anyone have a REALLY good method of getting fingerprints off the G1's screen (which are mostly a problem when the screen is off)? Or is there a better screen locking mechanism that I can use?

[dkw0417]

Short of cleaning your screen, useing a screen protector makes the smudges much harder to see.
Another trick is to double back over lines so even if they see the smudges they don't know which direction you were going when. Like go down all three dots, over one and then trace it back so it is basically a 7 dot pattern

[dkvitus]

Use 2 wrong patterns and 1 correct 1 to unlock your phone then.
Make sure all 3 patterns include most/all the dots....

On second thought, keep your phone (screen) and hands clean... j/k

[atoy74]

I read others talking about this same issue before I purchased my phone. Gotta tell you that it's kind of a non issue. You have to use your finger for a lot of inputs and gestures (for Android) so just make your pattern along those areas. Doubling back and skipping sequenced dots are also good ideas.

I've tried to see if I've been leaving my patterns "footprints" but it looks more like a big smudge.

[betawind]

Wipe the pattern off when you're done...if your finger can make a distinct smudge it sure as heck can make one to cover it up and replace it.

[TheBlur]

I really don't care if people know what my lock pattern is. I actually like to show it off

[thatisandwas]

wow...seriously? weak.

[jrokwitdacapitals18]

I just put the lock on bc I dont want people snooping at my texts .

[TheLibraryDude]

Presumably, the screen lock (assuming it can't be guessed by looking at my fingerprints) will prevent a potential thief or finder of my phone from immediately accessing my phone and the saved passwords, texts, contacts, and web site form data that I have on it. I'm wondering if anyone knows that after I call T-mobile to report such a loss, can they perform a remote factory reset on the phone, assuming it is still reachable on the network? I'm just wondering how secure my data on the phone is. Obviously, I understand that nothing saved on the SD card is safe unless I've specifically encrypted it.

[Paging Dr B]

unless your pattern is a straight line that could still take some time to crack as in my case. I have 7 points on my screen lock that i could start my design from. In theory my key has at least 48 different combos that can be used and assuming there isnt a limit on how long the pattern can be, it could be nearly impossible to crack if i made it a bit longer than it is. So my suggestion is to make your pattern more complicated if you're really worried.