When people use mobile devices, simple touch actions are best, user input via the keyboard is seen as a failure or a sign of bad design. Most tasks should be done via simple touch or touch and slide, not touch typing via a touch screen keyboard. This creates a problem for security because the device may need to have the user re-authenticate after a period of inactivity, using their password. This timeout can be set for a short or long period of time based on the “security” vs “ease of use” balance. Short timeouts are safer but a major inconvenience to the user; long timeouts have risks but offer a better user experience. For example, if there is a long timeout and the user sets the mobile device down, some else could use it to access his resources without his permission or knowledge.

Various embodiments of the invention provide techniques resetting mobile touch authentication. In an embodiment, a method for mobile touch authentication reset is presented.

Specifically, a touch profile (TP) of a user is recorded and the TP is compared to a previous TP recorded for the user during a last use by the user accessing the device. Finally, the user is recognized based on the comparison.