Pattern Locks Are Unsafe: Secure Your Vivo Y17s Phone Now with These Tips

Pattern locks have been available for about as long as people can remember, and they have been hugely popular with people thanks to how easy it is to simply swipe your screen and unlock your smartphone, as against, say, keying in the 4-digit PIN/ 6-digit PIN. However, pattern locks are easy to crack, and today, we bring you all you want to know about pattern locks and how to create a hard pattern lock. Further to this, we also tell you how to move beyond pattern locks and what to do in case you forgot the hard pattern lock you just set and are unable to unlock your smartphone.

Part 1: What You Need to Know About Pattern Locks

Pattern lock is an Android-only feature that makes it easy for users to have a modicum of security on their smartphones. Most users do not prefer using and remembering a PIN to unlock the smartphone. Creating a pattern makes it easier, somehow.

There is a 9-point grid on which you swipe your finger from point to point, in any direction, and when you take your finger off, that pattern you swiped becomes the key to unlock your smartphone.

Pattern locks were exceedingly common only a few years ago, and they are not recommended for use any longer due to concerns (mentioned later in the article).

1.1: Popularity and Usage

Old habits die hard, or so they say, right? That’s because it is true. We are creatures of habit, and pattern locks have been around for a long, long time. We are accustomed to pattern locks. So, even with even easier technologies such as fingerprint recognition and face recognition, we tend to gravitate towards the familiar old pattern lock.

The only thing is, there is a reason why pattern locks are no longer the preferred option to use for unlocking your smartphones. As it happens, that reason is security, and it can be very easy for humans to take a swipe (pardon the pun) at your pattern lock. And guess what? The research conducted suggests that they would get it right with an unsettling accuracy.

1.2: Advantages and Drawbacks

With on-the-go lifestyles, our smartphones have become indispensable and contain some of the most sensitive aspects of our lives – IDs, credit and debit cards in digital wallets, photo and video memories, business documents – you name it, the smartphones have it, on the go. This has opened our lives up to the public at large, and if someone steals our smartphone or, best case, finds it, the only barrier preventing them from being privy to all that wealth of our sensitive information is that screen lock – the pattern lock that we set on our smartphones. That’s it – the single pattern lock stands between malicious actors and our data. You might be beginning to realize just how crazy this is.

Advantages of Pattern Locks

There are two advantages to using pattern locks. One, they are better than nothing. Two, they are easy to use. And that’s about it. There is no third advantage to pattern locks. We might think we set a hard pattern lock that nobody could guess, but, as research proves, we might be thinking too low of human prowess.

Disadvantages of Pattern Locks

Security, or rather, the lack of it, is the lone disadvantage of using a pattern lock. What good is a pattern lock that can be easily deciphered? Sure, they are easy to use, and they are better than not having anything, but would you really want to protect your life’s data with something that could be, as researchers found out, breached in under 5 attempts? We don’t think you do!

The research found that 64% of test subjects who were shown videos of people unlocking their phones could correctly guess a 6-point pattern lock, that too after viewing the video only once! That number shot up to 80% if they were allowed to see the video again. That is simply astounding and a nightmare for security. When it comes to PINs, only 11% could guess a 6-digit PIN after viewing the unlocking video once, and that number shot up to 27% when they could see the video two times.

Part 2: How To Create a Hard Pattern Lock (Including Remembering Complex Patterns)

Now, if you must continue using a pattern lock, let’s help you know how to create a hard pattern lock that would not be as easy to decipher as easy pattern locks. For that, you should know how people use pattern locks, the kind of pattern locks they create, and the ones that are the most commonly used pattern locks. That way, you can avoid those fallacies and create a hard pattern lock for your smartphone.

2.1: The Pattern Locks People Use Most Commonly

Marte Loge, an M.Sc. Computer Science student, gave a presentation on pattern locks at DEFCON 23 and made a bold claim. She said, “Tell me who you are, and I will tell you your lock pattern.”

She presented the following statistics to support her claim:

• - In her research, she found that 77% of people started with one of the 4 corners when creating a pattern lock.
• - 44% of people started with the top-left dot and 15% with the top-right, while the bottom-left was preferred by 14% of her test subjects.
• - People set 5-point pattern locks on average, and most users were content with a 4-point pattern.

These are some of the most common pattern locks people create:

• - patterns in the shapes of alphabets,
• - patterns in the shapes of numerals,
• - patterns in any other simple shape, such as square, triangle, star, etc.

To understand how this is a security nightmare, the possible combinations for a 4-point pattern are a measly 1624, whereas by adding just 1 more point to the pattern and creating a 5-point pattern, the number of possible combinations becomes 7152, an increase of 5528 combinations. In stark contrast, creating a 9-point pattern would give you over 140,000 possible combinations!

2.2: How to Create a Hard Pattern Lock

Knowing what most people do when creating a pattern lock, it becomes easy to avoid those mistakes and instead create a hard pattern lock for oneself.

• - Do not start creating a pattern lock from any of the 4 corners of the grid.
• - Never use your first initial as your pattern lock.
• - Never use the shape of a numeral as your pattern lock.
• - Use all 9 points on the grid to create your pattern lock, and contrary to popular belief, you can go over the connecting lines several times, creating a hard pattern lock that would not be as easy for people to decipher!

Part 3: Going Beyond Pattern Locks

You might think that now that you have set a hard pattern lock, you are good to go. Hardly. Technology has evolved, so have methods to break into your device.

Step 1: Set a 6-digit PIN

The minimum you should do today is set a 6-digit PIN to unlock your phone. Consider this a necessary investment into the safety of your data residing on your smartphone.

Step 2: Use Fingerprint Recognition (or Face Recognition on Apple Devices)

All modern smartphones released over the last decade have come with fingerprint recognition. Using fingerprint recognition requires you to set a 6-digit PIN and then set a fingerprint to unlock your device. You can set additional fingerprints, too.

This way, your device is the most secure it can be today. In case your fingerprint is not recognized for any reason, the phone falls back on the 6-digit PIN that you can enter and unlock your phone.

While face recognition is available on both Android and Apple devices, it is truly secure only on Apple devices. This is why Apple iPhones released after the iPhone X in 2017 have come only with Face ID. They fall back on a minimum 6-digit PIN (called Passcode in Apple world) to unlock in case the face does not get recognized in the first attempt.

Part 4: How To Unlock Phone If Hard Pattern Lock Forgotten

Just in case you set a hard pattern lock and promptly forgot that abstruse pattern you just set, we have a tool for you to quickly unlock your phone in case of a forgotten hard pattern lock: Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Remove the Hard Pattern Lock on Your Vivo Y17s If You Forgot!

• Remove all Android screen locks (PIN/pattern/fingerprints/face ID) in minutes.
• Bypass the FRP lock of Samsung without a PIN or Google account.
• Everyone can handle the lock screen without any tech knowledge.
• Provide specific removal solutions to promise good success rate.

4,008,671 people have downloaded it

Download the latest version of Dr.Fone from the Wondershare website and launch the app.

Step 1: Click Android under Toolbox > Screen Unlock.

Step 2: Click Unlock Android Screen.

Step 3: Select your device manufacturer.

Step 4: Prepare your device to unlock the screen.

When the greyed Next button becomes available, click it and wait for your device to be unlocked.

All data on the Vivo Y17s device is wiped under this method. Select Samsung phones may be unlocked without data loss. Check this list for devices that may be unlocked without data loss.

Closing Words

Whether it is an easy pattern lock or a hard pattern lock, the fact is that pattern locks are antiquated and a security nightmare. A minimum 6-digit PIN must be used, and using fingerprint recognition is the preferred way to go for Android devices. Using fingerprint recognition will require that users create a 6-digit PIN. On Apple devices launched after 2017, there is Face ID, Apple’s marketing term for face recognition. If you did indeed still set a hard pattern lock, only to promptly forget it, use Wondershare Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock (Android) to seamlessly unlock your phone right now.

Unlock Your Vivo Y17s’s Potential: The Top 20 Lock Screen Apps You Need to Try

The stock lock screen for Android may sometime feel boring. The OS does not let us do many changes to it and we have to remain satisfied with whatever is provided. But what if someone tells you there is a way to make things more exciting?

There are unique lock screen apps for android that can change the complete feel of the lock screen. You can get control over various tasks and perform actions directly from the screen. Today we will talk about the top 20 lock screen apps for android that will totally change the unlocking experience.

1. AcDisplay

It is a simple design android lock screen app which handles notifications in a minimalistic approach. You can access application directly from the lock screen. It has an active mode to wake your device using sensors.

Compatibility – Android 4.1+

Download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.achep.acdisplay

2. Hi Locker

Classic, Lollipo and iOS – you get three styles of unlocking with this lock screen android app. It even features fingerprint unlocking on chosen Samsung and Marshmallow devices. You can highly customize the android lock screen and even add events or weather predictions.

Compatibility – Android 4.1+

3. CM Locker

It is one of the most popular lock screen apps for android. It sets new level in phone security by taking selfie of anyone who tries to enter wrong password to access the phone.

Compatibility – Device dependent

4. LokLok

This beta app to lock Android screen is more for fun with friends. You can draw on your app screen and share with friends. Friends can also modify them and share.

Compatibility – Android 4.0+

6. ZUI Locker-Elegant Lock Screen

With this lock screen app for Android, you can set HD wallpaper and chose different layouts and themes on an impressive and simple UI. The android lock screen wallpapers can be rendered movement by phone’s gravity sensor.

Compatibility – Android 4.1+

7. Next News Lock Screen

For people interested in events of the world, this lock screen android app features news stories. Breaking news from your chosen categories will be presented directly on the lock screen.

Compatibility – Android 4.0+

8. C-Locker

Anyone looking for easy and simple unlocking experience will find C-Locker useful. It has many unlocking options to change lock screen wallpaper.

Compatibility – Android 2.3.3+

9. Echo Notification Lockscreen

One of the cool and minimalist lock screen apps for android is Echo. It provides instant detailed notifications in sorted in categories. You can snooze alerts and control music from the screen. It is also customizable with wallpapers.

Compatibility – Android 4.3+

10. GO Locker

It is one of the most popular and highly downloaded lock screen apps for android. Fully protection is guaranteed with lock home button feature. It presents a wide range of themes and unlocking styles and shortcuts too.

Compatibility – Device dependent

11. SlideLock Locker

For iOS fanatics this app delivers the Apple way of swiping to right to unlock. Doing it the other way gives direct access to camera. You can set custom alerts for each app.

Compatibility – Android 4.1+

12. Cover Lock Screen

Ever heard about an app that predicts your need? Cover uses real time data to place useful apps on android lock screen when you are at work, travelling or at home.

Compatibility – Android 4.1+

13. SnapLock Smart Lock Screen

You get a smooth unlocking experience featured in an elegant design in SnapLock. The app sends editor picked wallpapers daily to make things exciting. The date and time can also be arranged in many ways.

Compatibility – Android 4.1+

14. L Locker

Presenting the stylish design of Lollipop and Marshmallow, this applock for android also includes fun pattern lock animations. You can quick launch apps and control music.

Compatibility – Android 4.0+

16. DashClock Widget

DashClock lock screen android app lets you access weather reports, missed calls, calendar events, emails and alarms directly. It can also be used with other supported apps.

Compatibility – Android 4.2+

18. Locker Master

You can use Lock Master’s DIY editor to customize the android lock screen. Many clock designs, graphics etc can make your lock screen amazing. It delivers over 2,000 live wallpapers and themes.

Compatibility – Android 4.0.3+

20. Dodol Locker

It features best designs and themes among lock screen apps for android. You can decorate the lock screen in many ways and use powerful security features. The themes can be downloaded from Theme Shop in the app.

Compatibility – Android 2.3.3+

These are some of the best lock screen apps for Android that you can find. You can get more security and do more with your Android apps, in an easy manner. Plus, do not forget that every phone should have an app lock for Android – it might be really risky not to.

Top 10 Fingerprint Lock Apps to Lock Your Vivo Y17s Phone

In the last few years, we have seen the launch of numerous Android phones with an inbuilt fingerprint scanner. This provides added security to the Vivo Y17s device and should definitely be utilized by the user. To make the most of this amazing feature, you can find many fingerprint lock app options listed on Google Play Store. Since there are so many options for a fingerprint app, it might become tedious to pick the best finger lock app for your device. Don’t worry – we are here to help you. This guide will make you familiar with the ten best fingerprint screen lock app options out there.

Let’s start our listicle by exploring some of the best fingerprint scanner lock app options available on the Google Play Store.

1. Fingerprint Pattern App Lock

The Fingerprint Pattern App Lock app will be an ideal solution to safeguard your privacy. Besides locking your mobile screen with fingerprint, pattern, and pin code, it can also lock Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, Instagram, Whatapps, Chrome, or any other apps!

• Full customization
• It doesn’t require the rooting of the Vivo Y17s device
• Can lock settings, calls, browser, play store, and more
• Freely available with no ads
• Supports Android 4.1 and up

Rating: 4.2

Download Link: Fingerprint Pattern App Lock

2. AppLock: Fingerprint & PIN

From social media apps to your gallery, this finger lock app can protect almost everything on your device. It comes with tons of features like app time-out, fake crash screen, the inclusion of PIN, and more. All of this can be customized from its settings as well.

• It can capture the picture of the intruder
• Provides a fake crash screen to hide that the app that has been locked
• Different themes for the lock screen
• It has an improved lock screen engine
• Contains in-app ads
• Supports Android 4.0.3 and later versions

Rating: 4.0

Download Link: AppLock: Fingerprint & PIN

3. FingerSecurity

As the name suggests, this fingerprint screen lock app can help you attain complete security on your device with your fingerprint. Besides all the popular apps, you can even lock widgets and settings with it. It can also capture the picture of the intruder, letting you know if your device has been tampered with.

• You can set a fake crash screen for the protected apps
• It can protect notifications from the selective apps as well
• Users can unlock multiple apps at once
• Can set alternative PINs if the fingerprint is not recognized
• Supports Android 4.3 and up

Rating: 4.2

Download Link: FingerSecurity

4. App Lock - Real Fingerprint Protection

If you are looking for a lightweight and secure fingerprint lock app, you can give this option by Kohinoor Apps a try. It can lock any app of your choice and protect your settings as well.  In this way, you can keep intruders away and level up the security on your device.

• It can include PIN and password protection with your fingerprint
• The app sends immediate alerts with an intruder selfie support
• It can also lock system apps, settings, browser, gallery, and more
• Contains in-app purchases and ads
• Supports Android 4.1 and later versions

Rating: 4.2

Download Link: App Lock - Real Fingerprint Protection

5. SpSoft Fingerprint AppLocker

Halt your quest for a complete fingerprint app right here. One of the best finger lock app options out there, it comes with tons of features that will fulfill your security needs. Besides locking all the major apps, settings, and more with your fingerprint, it also has a notification lock and a fake screen feature.

• Lightweight and easy to use
• Supports multiple languages
• It can also be used to reset a lost password
• Contains in-app ads and purchases
• Supports Android 2.3 and later versions

Rating: 4.4

Download Link: SpSoft Fingerprint AppLocker

6. AppLock by DoMobile Lab

One of the best fingerprint app lockers, it is already used by more than 100 million users worldwide. Even though it locks apps via passwords and PINs, it also provides dedicated support for the fingerprint scanner and locking mechanism. It provides full customization support with the availability of various themes.

• Random keyboard with an invisible pattern lock
• It has an inbuilt power-saving mode
• Users can customize profiles for each app
• The app supports all the major languages
• Compatible with all the leading Android versions (including Android 8.0)
• Contains in-app purchases

Rating: 4.4

Download Link: AppLock by DoMobile Lab

7. LOCKit

LOCKit is a complete security app that can help you protect your photos, apps, notifications, and more. It also comes with a photo and video vault to protect your media files. You can fool any intruder with a fake crash screen and capture their photo as well.

• Full customization of fingerprint lock with PIN and password
• Multiple language support
• Can lock incoming calls and customize the notification bar
• Photo and video vault
• Requires Android 2.2 and later versions

Rating: 4.6

Download Link: LOCKit

8. Fingerprint Locker

The fingerprint lock app is compatible with all the Vivo Y17s devices running on Android Marshmallow and later versions. It is a lightweight app that utilizes a minimum battery. It might not have all the advanced features, but it certainly provides a basic solution to lock apps with your fingerprint.

• Can lock all the popular apps with your fingerprint
• Lightweight and fast
• Freely available with no ads
• Runs on Android 4.2 and later versions

Rating: 3.6

Download Link: Fingerprint Locker

Pro Tips: Unlock Your Android Phones When You Forgot the Fingerprint

Setting a fingerprint lock or PIN, password, pattern, or even FRP lock on an Android phone is a common way to prevent our important data or private info from being prying eyes. However, if you forgot the fingerprint, or get your Android phone broken with a screen cracked, and enter the wrong password several times, you will be stuck on the problem and won’t be able to access your phone and all the apps on the Vivo Y17s device. Don’t be too worried. Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) provides you with an Android phone unlocking feature to unlock any phone fingerprint and any screen locks, including numeric password, pattern, 4-digit/6-digit/custom PIN, fingerprint ID, face recognition, etc.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Get into Fingerprint Locked Android Phones within Minutes

• 4 screen lock types are available: pattern, PIN, password & fingerprints.
• Easily remove the lock screen; No need to root your device.
• Everybody can handle it without any technical background.
• Provide specific removal solutions to promise good success rate

4,008,670 people have downloaded it

Conclusion

When you know about all the popular options for the fingerprint screen lock app, you can simply choose an ideal choice. Go ahead and download the fingerprint lock app of your choice and provide an added layer of security to your device. Out of all the listed options for the fingerprint app, which one is your favorite? Let us know about it in the comments.