A method and apparatus for an electronic device (100) monitors one or more inputs to the device, such as a transition in sensed ambient light (170)and key press sequences (180), to determine when to lock the device (100). The device memory (155) may include a matrix (or dictionary or rules) of valid, questionable, and invalid inputs that may be updated from time to time. When a questionable input is received, the device (100) notifies a user to enter an exit trigger, such as a MENU * key sequence, or else the phone will be locked. By using a variety of factors to discern questionable inputs and by presenting an exit trigger upon receipt of a questionable input, the electronic device will not lock when a user enters the exit trigger after a questionable input but will lock otherwise.