diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/acegisecurity/SecurityConfig.java b/core/src/main/java/org/acegisecurity/SecurityConfig.java
index 2df626f9bb..a47bdce1de 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/acegisecurity/SecurityConfig.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/acegisecurity/SecurityConfig.java
@@ -35,10 +35,6 @@ public class SecurityConfig implements ConfigAttribute {
     //~ Methods ========================================================================================================
 
     public boolean equals(Object obj) {
-        if (obj instanceof String) {
-            return obj.equals(this.attrib);
-        }
-
         if (obj instanceof ConfigAttribute) {
             ConfigAttribute attr = (ConfigAttribute) obj;
 
diff --git a/core/src/test/java/org/acegisecurity/SecurityConfigTests.java b/core/src/test/java/org/acegisecurity/SecurityConfigTests.java
index 320901effb..2bd4677a5c 100644
--- a/core/src/test/java/org/acegisecurity/SecurityConfigTests.java
+++ b/core/src/test/java/org/acegisecurity/SecurityConfigTests.java
@@ -66,8 +66,9 @@ public class SecurityConfigTests extends TestCase {
         SecurityConfig security2 = new SecurityConfig("TEST");
         assertEquals(security1, security2);
 
+        // SEC-311: Must observe symmetry requirement of Object.equals(Object) contract
         String securityString1 = "TEST";
-        assertEquals(security1, securityString1);
+        assertNotSame(security1, securityString1);
 
         String securityString2 = "NOT_EQUAL";
         assertTrue(!security1.equals(securityString2));