Security Flaw Bypasses AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II Screen Lock

zacharye writes "BGR has uncovered a security flaw on AT&T's version of the Samsung Galaxy S II that renders Android's unlock pattern feature completely useless. Using a simple workaround, the security hole allows anyone to bypass the unlock pattern, which normally denies users access to an Android device unless a preset pattern is drawn on a grid of nine dots spread across the device's lock screen."

Common issue

[Georules]

This is a common issue with lockscreen replacements. "WidgetLocker Lockscreen" on the android market calls it the "5 second rule". You have to wait about 5 seconds after turning your screen off to turn it back on again if you want the replacement lockscreen to show instead of the default one. I'm not sure why it's not a standard application request to replace the lockscreen, except that it could potentially be a security problem if any application could just decide to override another lockscreen.

finger stain also shows unlock pattern

[Anonymous Coward]

I have an S2, and while the method described in TFA doesn't work on my S2 (maybe I'm just stupid, or maybe coz' mine isn't tied to AT&T, it's an unlocked one imported from elsewhere), I did notice if I look at the dark screen from an angle, my designated unlock pattern shows up clearly in the form of finger stain...