Our Smartphone holds our lives. We do our online banking, browse social media, and watch tons and tons of videos. I needed to be able to work on my Smartphone to create content for my small business. For many people, and myself, it is important that i keep the very device that has the most amount of information about me secured.
Clark, a friend, also shared some of his concerns about the new Galaxy Android smartphone he purchased. He got it for his work and needs to have it secured as best as possible to protect his emails, company documents, and important contacts.
I have composed a list for Clark that will give insight into the pros and cons of each method of authentication.
Clark‘s ticket:
"What are some options for locking his new smart phone and which way is the best way?"
Summary
We can restrict our smartphones a number of ways. In this blog, we are going to discuss on how to lock-down your smartphone and what is the significance of each method of protection.
Pin - Numeric
Pattern
Finger Print
Facial Recognition
Pin - Numeric
The pin is both a secure and easy way to secure your phone. It will prevent people from just picking up your phone and being able to use it without your permission.
The pin is usually 4-6 digits long making it easy to remember. The longer the pin, the more secure.
Pros
Simple
Easy to remember
Cons
Four Characters Long Can be easy to remember
Over the day, can be annoying
Not Seamless at all
Pattern
Patterns are still a popular method for unlocking smartphones on Androids. The user will have to enter a pattern that was previously setup. This is a secure method and an easy method for unlocking phones.
Pros
Simple
Easy to remember
Cons
Fingers leave trace pattern on screen
Over the day, can be annoying
Not seamless
The problem was that when you are using the pattern method, the trace pattern will appear on the screen in the form of smears because of your fingers rubbing the screen surface. Should someone pick up your phone, and look at the smudges, they may learn your unlock pattern. The more complex the pattern, the better.
Finger Print
Fingerprint scanning has been in Android phones for a while now. Fingerprint scanners work by having a sensor that can read the unique grooves in people's fingers and tying that to a signature.
Pros
Very Quick Login To Smartphone
Fewer Password Prompts
Offers Seamless Access
Cons
The Tech can be fooled
Fingerprints are less unique than passwords
Facial Recognition
Facial Recognition is not a new technology, but the technology has become robust, more accurate, and reliable over the years. Facial Recognition enables people to unlock their devices with their unique facial features.
The program will build a profile of your face and will use your face to unlock your device fast with a glance each time.
Facial recognition can now scan your face in overexposed and dim/dark lighting. It has worked perfectly when I'm lying in bed late at night and when I'm moving like on a run or jog.
Pros
Very Quick Login To Smartphone
Offers Seamless Access
No Passwords To Remember Necessary
Cons
Initial Set up can take time to setup
May not work in all lighting conditions
Note from Anthony
"Three are many ways to secure your phone. How you will want to secure your device offers benefits of other methods. Facial Recognition can be a quick way and effortless, but it takes time to set up properly and may not work in all lighting conditions. Unlocking your phone with a pattern is a fine way to do it, but if your always finding yourself to have to unlock your phone, then entering a pattern can be annoying. Implementing a way to secure your phone is better than not protection."
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