Why does my phone factory reset after so many failed attempts?

[Android Central Question]

I have a ZTE phone and every so often while it's in my pocket it fails my password and completely resets itself. Is there a way to turn this off and have a password/pin set?

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Which ZTE phone? I doubt you can turn that security feature off. What screen lock is the phone set to? When you press Power, does it immediately go to the password/PIN entry screen, or do you have to swipe up first in order to get there?