Are Smart Door Locks Safe?
There might have been some recent incidents of breaking and entering your neighborhood. And after hearing those horror stories, you might consider replacing your traditional lock with a smart one. But are smart door locks safe? Let’s find out.
Smart door locks are basically using the same locking mechanism as traditional key locks. However, their smart features make them much safer. Unlike traditional locks, smart locks are not exclusively dependent on physical keys thus minimize the risk of stolen or lost keys. What's more, smart door locks could also be integrated into a digital home security system and managed with phone Apps to provide extra security.
Still, have doubts about getting smart locks? Well, a bit of information on how they work and why they can provide you with much better security compared to traditional locks might change your mind.
Are Smart Door Locks Safe? How Secure are Traditional Locks?
Traditional locks are not secure enough these days. These locks have been around for a long time. As a result, criminals had substantial time to study these locks, gain experience, and develop techniques and tools to penetrate them.
If you are wondering how safe are smart door locks naturally, the competency of traditional locks is something you also think about. A well-designed traditional lock can be pretty strong and secure. However, a veteran burglar still wouldn’t be much stranger to it. Meanwhile, smart locks use technology that is newer and, therefore, unfamiliar to the average criminal.
Consider that there are approximately 1.2 million events of home break-ins in the U.S. every year. These statistics are proof enough of how incompetent most traditional door locks are.
How Secure Are Smart Locks?
Well, of course, they are more secure than traditional locks. Smart locks are usually part of a broad digital home security system. So, it can monitor, keep records and alert you in the event of a burglary attempt.
These locks offer an extraordinary level of security because of the passcodes you use to unlock them. It is possible to duplicate or steal a key. But someone can't know the passcode if you don't tell them. Also, smart locks have a much different structure which is not vulnerable to the traditional tools burglars use to break in.
Apart from that, smart locks are also more convenient. You can easily control the lock with your phone’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This means you don’t have to get up from the couch to unlock the door for someone. You can also let someone in the home, for example, your kids, while you are at the office.
A smart lock grants you control over your home in multiple ways. You can design custom access codes for individual members of your home. That way, you can keep track of the exit and entry of different members throughout the day. Thus you can ensure that you don’t miss any event of unauthorized entry.
Can Smart Door Locks be Hacked?
Anything digital and connected to the internet is vulnerable to hacking. So, in theory, it is possible to hack a smart door. But such incidents are extremely rare in real life. It would need a team of highly skilled computer geeks with serious criminal motivations to do the job. And even then, their chance of success would be low.
The companies that distribute smart door locks are constantly updating their software, making it more impenetrable to hackers. In other words, your smart door locks get less hackable every day. If a burglar is planning to hack your smart lock, his job is more difficult than it was a month ago.
You might also worry about hackers or burglars figuring out your passcode. That, too, is a highly unlikely scenario. There is one in ten thousand probability that someone can just assume a four-digit pin correctly or figure it out through trial and error. Plus, no burglars in their right mind will hang around your house for that long and risk being spotted.
So, can smart door locks be hacked? Well, it is safe to say that the answer is no. The sheer amount of expertise and effort required, plus the low chance of success, makes it unworthwhile for common criminals to even attempt it.
Tips To Protect Your Smart Home From Hackers
Many people wonder whether or not can digital door locks be hacked. As stated earlier, the possibility of something like that is very low. However, you can take some actions to reduce that probability further and make your smart home more impenetrable.
These include fortifying your Wi-Fi system, using the latest firmware, and being smarter with your passcodes.
Fortifying Your Wi-Fi
When you start using your Wi-Fi router for the first time, it is pretty vulnerable to hackers. That’s because a very basic or generic password secures the Wi-Fi network. In some cases, they aren’t secured at all. The providing company does this, so you don’t have trouble logging in to the Wi-Fi on your first attempt. So, it is up to the user to correct this weakness.
So, make sure you change your Wi-Fi password to something stronger and non-generic. Mixing up letters and numbers that only mean something to you is one of the best ways to do this. Also, use a high-security protocol like WPA2 or WPA3. So, can Wi-Fi door locks be hacked? Well, no, if you fortify your network.
Use the Latest Firmware
The firmware is the basic software that runs the locks, cameras, and other gadgets connected to your smart home system. As technology advances, the manufacturing company constantly develops fixes and features for this firmware. As a user, your job is to accept and add these updates to your system.
There are many ways to ensure your firmware is updated regularly. For instance, you can register your smart door lock with the manufacturer. That way, you will receive the updates automatically as soon as they come out. Sometimes, the device will require you to click the Update button actively. Whatever the arrangement looks like, ensure you don’t ignore these updates.
Update Router
Most people have the same attitude toward their WI-FI routers as they have toward their furniture. In other words, they don’t change them frequently. Usually, people only consider getting a new router when their internet performance suffers.
However, this practice makes your smart home system vulnerable to hackers. Because an old router means outdated security protocols, your router can provide good internet service for five years at a stretch. But does that mean you will change it only after five years? You shouldn't if you want your smart home to be safe from hackers.
Dedicated hackers are constantly working their way around security protocols. So, it is reasonable to assume that they have already figured out how to get past your router, which is two-three years old. So, you should plan a yearly budget for Wi-Fi routers to outsmart these criminals.
How Can You Choose The Right Smart Door Lock For Security?
Firstly, get a lock compatible with your existing smart home system. Otherwise, your smart door lock wouldn’t be of much use.
Secondly, buy your smart lock from a renowned manufacturer. You might not get regular fixes and updates if you buy a cheap lock from a lesser-known brand. Also, cheap locks have less sophisticated firmware, which is ridden with bugs and easy to hack.
Lastly, don’t settle for the cheapest option when buying a smart lock for your home. You don’t need to go for the most expensive option. But if you want a door lock, you can entrust with your family’s safety, at least reach for a mid-ranged one.
Conclusion
Are smart door locks safe? Yes, and there's no doubt about that. You can further ensure this safety by following the best practices for your smart door lock. These include regularly updating the firmware, router, and passwords. And since the safety of your home is in question, it is not a bad idea to spend some extra bucks and get a decent-quality lock.
If you are interested in taking a look at some state-of-the-art smart door locks, check out our products. Designed with the latest security technology, our smart locks are the best for protecting you and your loved ones.
