FBI Can’t Crack Android Pattern-Screen Lock, Seeks Google’s Help


Google said that its Android pattern-screen lock system is highly successful in keeping prying eyes away from your Android-powered phone, and it turns out they weren’t kidding.

The FBI attempted to break into an Android-powered Samsung Exhibit II confiscated from one Dante Dears in a prostitution bust, but investigators have reportedly found themselves unable to crack Android’s pattern-screen lock security even after “multiple attempts.”

The FBI is apparently so stumped over Android’s pattern-screen lock, in fact, that it had to issue a warrant on Google to turn over e-mail and web searches, web history, text messages and GPS tracking data, according to a report by Ars Technica.

The FBI was faced with having to issue a warrant on Google after its forensic technicians failed multiple attempts at breaking into Dears’ phone, which resulted in the investigators being locked out from the phone entirely after too many failed pattern-screen lock cracking attempts.

Christopher Soghoian, a security researcher, picked up on word that the FBI’s warrant on Google was approved by a San Diego federal judge a few days ago. The warrant reads:

“Failure to gain access to the cellular telephone’s memory was caused by an electronic ‘pattern lock’ programmed into the cellular telephone. A pattern lock is a modern type of password installed on electronic devices, typically cellular telephones. To unlock the device, a user must move a finger or stylus over the keypad touch screen in a precise pattern so as to trigger the previously coded un-locking mechanism. Entering repeated incorrect patterns will cause a lock-out, requiring a Google e-mail login and password to override. Without the Google e-mail login and password, the cellular telephone’s memory can not be accessed. Obtaining this information from Google, per the issuance of this search warrant, will allow law enforcement to gain access to the contents of the memory of the cellular telephone in question.”

So, if you were wondering if Android’s pattern-screen lock is any good at keeping people away from your phone: yes, it apparently is.

Share this article: FBI Can’t Crack Android Pattern-Screen Lock, Seeks Google’s Help
More from Inquisitr