A method for location-based access control, comprising: receiving, via an input device (14, 16, 660, 665) of a portable electronic device, an access request for first application of a plurality of applications of the portable electronic device; by a processor of the portable electronic device, detecting one or more available communication networks; by the processor, based on the detected one or more communications networks (22, 32), determining a current location of the portable electronic device; by the processor, accessing a usage data store to determine whether the access request and the current location correspond to a familiar usage pattern, wherein the familiar usage pattern comprises familiar locations, wherein the familiar locations include location information gathered automatically and periodically, and saved in a computer-readable memory, wherein the gathered location information of each of the familiar locations makes up at least a threshold percentage of all location information saved in the computer-readable memory over an immediately preceding period of time; by the processor, if the access request and the current location do correspond to a familiar usage pattern, granting the access request and granting access to the first application; and by the processor, if the access request and the current location do not correspond to a familiar usage pattern, presenting a security prompt on the portable electronic device and denying the access request until a verified response to the security prompt is received. receiving, via an input device (14, 16, 660, 665) of a portable electronic device, an access request for first application of a plurality of applications of the portable electronic device; by a processor of the portable electronic device, detecting one or more available communication networks; by the processor, based on the detected one or more communications networks (22, 32), determining a current location of the portable electronic device; by the processor, accessing a usage data store to determine whether the access request and the current location correspond to a familiar usage pattern, wherein the familiar usage pattern comprises familiar locations, wherein the familiar locations include location information gathered automatically and periodically, and saved in a computer-readable memory, wherein the gathered location information of each of the familiar locations makes up at least a threshold percentage of all location information saved in the computer-readable memory over an immediately preceding period of time; wherein the familiar locations include location information gathered automatically and periodically, and saved in a computer-readable memory, wherein the gathered location information of each of the familiar locations makes up at least a threshold percentage of all location information saved in the computer-readable memory over an immediately preceding period of time; by the processor, if the access request and the current location do correspond to a familiar usage pattern, granting the access request and granting access to the first application; and by the processor, if the access request and the current location do not correspond to a familiar usage pattern, presenting a security prompt on the portable electronic device and denying the access request until a verified response to the security prompt is received.