Unlocking: The 5 Modern Methods On Your Smartphone

Unlock your smartphone with the latest technologies. In this article, you will learn how to unlock your smartphone by fingerprint, face, passwords, patterns or a PIN. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of the 5 most modern unlocking options for your smartphone now!

Unlocking your smartphone is an integral part of our everyday lives these days. On average, we unlock our smartphones up to 80 times.

We will introduce you to the different unlocking methods, from passwords to facial recognition software, with their respective advantages and disadvantages, in this magazine article.

Table of Contents

Face Unlock

Face unlocking is one of the most modern and convenient ways to unlock your smartphone. With this method, your face is scanned, and the smartphone recognizes the owner based on facial features. This method is very safe because it only works when the smartphone recognizes your face. However, there are also disadvantages: if you wear sunglasses or your face is covered by a hat or scarf, face unlocking may not work. There are also security concerns, as it is possible to fool the system with a photo of the face. Nevertheless, facial unlocking is an efficient method to unlock your smartphone quickly and easily.

Advantages:

Unlock quickly and easily; all you have to do is hold your face in front of the camera
Difficult to outsmart with 2D or 3D cameras
No password is required, saving time and effort

Disadvantages:

can be tricked by photos
Faces are not consistently recognized in low light
not available on all devices
Sharing biometric data can pose a security risk

Iris Scan

With the iris scan, you get another modern method to unlock your smartphone. This involves scanning your eye and using it as a biometric characteristic. Due to the uniqueness of the iris, this method is very safe. The iris scan cannot be fooled by photos or videos of the eye. However, it can sometimes be challenging to position the eye correctly, which can cause the scan to fail. It can also be uncomfortable to keep your eye open for long periods. Nevertheless, the iris scan is a promising method to securely unlock your smartphone.

Advantages:

secure unlocking thanks to the uniqueness of the iris
convenient because no input is required
Possibility for physically disabled people to quickly unlock their smartphone
hygienic method, as there is no contact with the smartphone

Disadvantages:

not always unlockable in dim light
Glasses and contact lenses can cause difficulties

Fingerprint

The fingerprint method is now prevalent and is offered by many manufacturers. The fingerprint is stored on the device and can then be used to unlock it. A unique feature of this method is that it is very safe. Because every fingerprint is unique and cannot simply be copied. It is also very convenient as you can easily unlock your device with the touch of a finger without having to enter a password. However, you should make sure that you only save the fingerprint on a secure device and do not pass it on to third parties.

Advantages:

Fingerprints are unique to each person; therefore, high security
quickly and conveniently
multiple fingerprints are possible for unlocking (e.g. for family members)

Disadvantages:

Fingerprint copies can be made with great effort
wet or sweaty fingers and a dirty display can cause difficulties
The fingerprint sensor may be faulty or allow incorrect fingerprint

Also Read: What Is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?

Password

The password is one of the classic unlocking methods. But what makes a good password? It should be at least eight characters long, contain uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters, and should not be easy to guess. Avoid birth dates, names of pets or family members, and simple words like “password” or “123456.” If you have a strong password, this method is very secure. However, there are also disadvantages to using a password, even if it is secure. On the one hand, it can be not very pleasant to have to enter the password every time. On the other hand, there is a risk that someone will look over your shoulder and spy on the password.

Advantages:

secure protection with a secure password
Password can be created in any length and any language
not device-dependent
easy password recovery

Disadvantages:

easier to outwit with weak passwords
complex passwords difficult to remember
no convenient and quick unlocking method

The good old PIN is still a popular method for unlocking your smartphone. You enter a four to six-digit number combination to gain access to your device. But be careful: a PIN that is too simple, like “1234”, can quickly be cracked. It’s better to choose a slightly more complex combination to protect your smartphone. The advantage of the PIN is that it is quick and easy to enter.

Advantages:

Input is easy and quick
device independent

Disadvantages:

can be guessed more easily
consists only of numbers

Also Read: Authenticate, Authenticate & Authorize: Multi-Factor Authentication

Conclusion

You have now learned five modern methods for unlocking your smartphone. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, but ultimately, which method is best for you depends on your personal preferences and needs. Whether you choose the classic password, fingerprint, facial recognition, pattern recognition or PIN, always make sure that your smartphone is secure and your data is protected. Don’t forget to regularly check your settings and change your password or PIN regularly. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to keeping your smartphone safe and secure.