Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.2.1 Lock Screen Bug: How to Check if Smartphone is Affected? [VIDEO]

Apple had a tough time fixing the lock screen bypass bug that came along with the iOS 6.1 upgrade and now it seems like a similar bug is present even in its Android rival - Samsung. Recently, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 - the two hottest selling devices of the South Korean tech giant seems to be affected by lock screen bypass bug, which will pose security threats.

Initially, mobile enthusiast Terence Eden discovered the bug on Galaxy Note 2 claiming that several types of screen lock including the highly secure Password are affected. This bug offers a sneak peek of the homescreen in Galaxy Note 2. Worse is the case in Galaxy S3, as the bug completely bypasses and offers full control of the device.

A few days later, trying the same on Galaxy S3, a user named Sean McMillan has discovered the bug as his device was affected by the notorious bug. As per a post on Full Disclosure, McMillan has claimed that the lock screen can be bypassed and the hackers can be full access to the features in the handset. Moreover, he threw shocks at Galaxy S3 users as the handset is more vulnerable to the attack and is repeatable as well when compared to Note 2.

Click here for more Galaxy S3 images...

Click here for more Galaxy S3 images...

A ZDNet report has come up with the steps summary and steps on bypassing the lock screen shared by McMillan. Users of Galaxy S3 can try these steps successively to find out if their handset is vulnerable to security threats.

* On the code entry screen, press Emergency Call

* Press Emergency Contacts

* Press the Home button once

* Just after pressing the Home button, press the power button quickly

* If successful, pressing the power button again will bring you to the S3's home screen

Testing the bug on three different Galaxy S3 devices, McMillian confirmed the bug and concluded that the issue is more of a Samsung's software related bug than a widespread Android issue.

The report went on stating that it is not possible to bypass the lockscreen in every attempt, however, on successive repetitions of the same it is easy to gain control on the handset.

While the highly anticipated Galaxy S4 launch is only a few days ahead, it would be really interesting to see how Samsung would react to this security threat on Galaxy S3.

Do you own a Galaxy S3? Try the steps mentioned above and get to know if your handset is affected by the lock screen bug. Do not forget to drop in your experience.