But can't you just wipe a lost phone using lookout or others, so if lost no one would have access to passwords, etc.?

The lock screen isn't to prevent theft but more so to prevent data loss. I think since 6.0 on Android they started encrypting phones from the factory. But you're right, someone steals my phone they can factory reset quickly and it's ready to go.

Up until my latest smart phone, I have to admit I was one of those that didn't bother with anything more than the simple swipe to unlock. It was always just annoying to me to enter a code to get into the phone, so I didn't like it.

With the phones with fingerprint sensors, it got easy enough that I went that route. Not sure I like the trend of them moving that to the back of the screen in a misguided attempt to free up front space by removing a home button though.

Yeah, well, of course, it's the "skeleton key" to our digital lives... I guess. Maybe I need to reconsider the levels of cynicism I have grown towards security.

"The problem is not that the TSA employees are necessarily stupid, it's the laws and TSA policies that force them to act as if they were."

Could you give some examples? Thanks

The only reason why I put some kind of screen lock other than a swipe screen was because I wanted to use Samsung Pay. The only place I lose my phone is in my house.

I'm not sure where you acquired this information but it certainly does not apply to recent iPhones.


If you recall, the FBI had to pay an Israeli company a reported $1M for a program to unlock the 3 year old iPhone from the Sacramento terrorist shooter a while back, because Apple wouldn't do it for them. The security of current models is much higher than that phone was, and is considered virtually unbreakable with a decent passcode.


You cannot "Reset It" without it being unlocked first.

I was getting lunch today and I spotted a Samsung phone on the counter that someone had obviously forgotten. Just before I picked it up to see if they had any contact info on the lock screen a bloke appeared next to me to claim it. He had a picture of him and family on the screen to identify it as his but no lock at all. I suggested he added one to which he said it was brand new and had forgotten to do it. :eek:

Samsung makes you either skip or set up a lock screen when you first turn it on.

I think he'd skipped it and was planning to do do it later but had just forgotten.

Pure lazy then, takes 10 seconds during set up to skip at least a pin.

Yeah I got the impression he wasn't the sharpest tool in the box.:rolleyes:

Which is 99.99% of smartphone users ! :)

Forcing the TSA agent to classify all knifes/blades as a potential weapon while allowing much more dangerous items such as 4" scissors or 7" scewdriver. A Vic Classic is not a good knife for cutting but people were in an uproar when the TSA attempted to have the same rule as some EU countries.

I had a P38 "confiscated as a weapon but not 4" scissors.

I can't imagine not having some sort of lock on my phone, especially with emails and such. It's also a great way to stop pranksters ;)

With fingerprint readers, it's a no brainer.