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You're probably think of this Ars piece: http://arstechnica.com/security/2015/08/new-data-uncovers-th...

Well, internally the pattern password is literally stored as numbers, just like the pin. So If you go top right to middle right then to middle, then to bottom middle, your pattern will be saved as 3658. It's less secure than a pin, because obviously with a pattern lock a 3 can only be followed by a 2,5 or 6, and no number can repeat, so it's easier to crack than a pin.

My pattern left a trail on my screen pretty much telling you my password. You'd have to guess on the direction a couple times, but you'd get it fairly quickly. I think the pattern lock is really just a way to keep kids off your phone. Greasy fingers on glass are way too telling.

Oh, no doubt. Realistically I don't expect my phone to be secure from the lockscreen, it's more to keep pests out. Anything secure is from full disk encryption, passworded SU, etc. As far as person-looking-over-you protection, they're not bad.