Mobile

LG smartphones get extra secure with new firmware upgrade – Knock Code explained

LG smartphones get extra secure with new firmware upgrade – Knock Code explained

Alexandra Burlacu

LG is bringing its much-touted Knock Code security feature to the LG G2 and the LG G Flex, with more handsets set to get it soon as well.

The new LG Knock Code is a more secure interface for unlocking LG smartphones, building on the success of the initial double-tap to unlock feature the company introduced with the LG G2. The new feature improves on the original double-tap to unlock to bring a more intricate pattern matching for extra security and personalization.

LG smartphones such as the G Pro 2, the G2 Mini, as well as the company's F Series and L Series will come with this new feature on board, while older models will get a firmware update with the new Knock Code starting in April.

"The consumer benefits of LG's Knock Code technology are obvious in its ability to wake and unlock the phone simultaneously, providing more convenience and greater security over conventional password and pattern-based security options," LG touts in a press release on Tuesday, March 25.

"With Knock Code, the smartphone display is divided into four invisible quadrants. The user taps or 'knocks' anywhere for two to eight times in the quadrants in a specific sequence. With more than 80,000 possible combinations and no fingerprint streaks, Knock Code offers a level of security far greater than other devices, even those with fingerprint recognition systems. And because Knock Code can be implemented anywhere on the screen in any size without having to view the screen, there's no chance of password theft. In addition to being safer and more convenient, Knock Code is also more responsive compared to bio-recognition systems, which are much more susceptible to variations in the environment."

The LG G2 and LG G Flex in select markets will be the first to get an upgrade to the new and improved Knock Code feature. As the company explains in its press release, this feature is more convenient to use because it offers users a slew of possible combinations and doesn't require them to be extremely precise. More specifically, Knock Code can approximate the pattern, as opposed to regular pattern-matching security features that require an exact match. This doesn't make it less secure, as it would still have to be a close approximation, but it does make it more convenient and easier to use.

"LG engineers placed a great amount of emphasis on providing users with exceptional security and convenience when developing Knock Code," added Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "Making Knock Code accessible to a wider audience is consistent with our direction to differentiate LG mobile devices on the basis of user experience."

The firmware update set to bring Knock Code to more LG devices is slated for April, but the company is yet to provide exact rollout dates for specific devices. LG will announce dates and availability locally in the following weeks. 

© Copyright 2020 Mobile & Apps, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

more stories from Mobile

Back
Real Time Analytics