Phone Lock, protect personal data

Hello Fellow Members,

Seems that my phone likes to come out of the carrying case.  I would like to be able to use a password to unlock phone so unauthorized people can not use phone or look at my contacts.  I know the BBerry has a feature that after so many attempts, the phone would automatically erase itself as a security feature.  After looking at the different forums, all I see is a password that you have to swipe a pattern.  The reason for the password as opposed to a swipe is I saw on different forums and on the net that people have problems with the swipe to unlock phone.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for the help