Apple’s iOS 6.1 update is crawling with bugs.

Users who were quick to update to the latest version noticed that their devices’ battery gets drained much quicker, and some users even reported that the updated devices overheat.

Second, the update caused  excessive logging on Microsoft Exchange servers, causing quite a hassel for IT administrators.  The bug is so bad, many IT departments warned corporate employees who use their devices for work to not update to the latest version until Apple has fixed the bug.  Apple has addressed the issue, stating that a fix has been identified and will soon be available.  Apple and Microsoft also offered a quick fix for the problem.

And the latest bug? the iPhone lockscreen can be bypassed.

According to a report from The Verge, the lockscreen on the iOs 6.1 can be bypassed to allow intruders to “access your phone app, view or modify contacts, check your voicemail, and look through your photos (by attempting to add a photo to a contact).”

The bypass method was detailed by videosdebarraquito in a YouTube video.  The steps involves making an emergency call but quickly canceling it and holding down the power button twice.

This is not the first time that this bug appeared on the iOS.  iOS 4.1 had a similar bug that allowed intruders to access your call history, voicemail and address book by simply inputting random numbers in the emergency call field, pressing call, and then promptly hitting the hardware lock button.

Apple has yet to comment on this latest bug, but it certainly makes you think about adding more security measures to your device.  Before you go looking for apps that change your iPhone’s lockscreen, you should know that Apple doesn’t allow developers to create apps that alter their lockscreen.   So what can iOS users do to secure their devices?

Quick tips

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Turn off Simple Passcode – It doesn’t mean you turn off your passcode, you’re just choosing to have a better Passcode.  With Simple Passcode turned off, you can now enter more complex passwords that are longer, consists of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and even special characters.  If you can’t remember long passcodes, just remember not to use a four-digit passcode that is easy to guess.

Use security apps – If you have sensitive files, photos or videos on your device, better use an app like Dot Lock Secure Protect your Media & Files to keep your data safe from prying eyes.  It offers a secondary connect-the-dot type of security on the app itself, not on your phone’s lockscreen.

And if an intruder or thief uses your iPhone, it takes a photo of the person and sends you the location of the intruder.  So if your iPhone got lost or stolen, you can track the person, get your device back, and send the thief behind bars.

If you have a jailbroken iPhone, you can download iGotYa from Cydia which gives you the photo of the person, location and locks your data so it can’t be accessed.

Wipe the slate clean – You can do this by setting your iPhone to automatically erase everything is backed up on iTunes.  Just go to the “Passcode Lock” settings page labeled “Erase Data,” turn it on because it is off by default.  You can also use apps such as Apple’s Find My iPhone and Lookout to locate your missing phone as well as to remotely wipe its content.