Smart locks have established a new home security experience by providing high-tech features and capabilities. As such, you’ll find that they far exceed the classic locks when it comes to functionality.
While the functionality sounds impressive, there is still the question of how secure smart locks are. Let’s explore its safety aspect and other relevant information. You can read on Alert and Secure if you want to learn more about this technology.
Most Common Smart Lock Features
As seemingly simple as they are, you can take advantage of a wide variety of features if your house has a smart lock. Let’s check out a few of the most common below.
Connectivity Options
Some earlier smart lock models boast Bluetooth connectivity. This short-distance transmission has been around for a while, even before the rise of smartphones. Bluetooth-accessible locks require low power to operate and permit users to connect to it straight from another device. With Wi-Fi smart locks, you can lock and unlock your door remotely, create and edit users, or update the access codes anywhere. You can also view the status and activity log, which is advantageous if you have several people coming in and out all the time.
Linking your smart lock to the internet through Wi-Fi will provide you with the most feature possibilities. This means you’d be able to enjoy integration with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Besides Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, Z-wave smart locks are also popular. Models that use Z-wave technology link to a Z-Wave-compatible hub, which manages its functionalities. The hub will convert and send the smart lock’s Z-Wave signal to your router, allowing you to access your lock from virtually anywhere.
Personalized Access Code
Numerous smart lock models allow you to customize several access codes. When you use this feature, you may set up different codes for each user. Some models can provide you with the ability to alter the rules of a specific code. For example, the code for the babysitter is only valid from 8:30 in the morning to noon during weekdays. If someone used the code before or after the specified time during the weekend, the door wouldn’t open. Basically, you’d be able to control which users can enter your home and at what specific time. As you can imagine, this functionality gives homeowners more peace of mind.
Smart Notifications
Most Wi-Fi smart locks have smart alerts. With one, you’ll receive notifications that will update your smart lock’s activity in real-time. These alerts include sending you a message if someone tries to pick or alter the lock. Some smart locks will also give you the option to notify a home security service or the police. This way, you can rest assured that your house is safe.
Geofencing
This technology is utilized in sophisticated location-based services to recognize when a smart device has entered or left a geographic border. Because of how useful it is, many smart locks have geofencing integrated. If the device detects your smartphone’s position outside of the perimeter of your house, the auto-locking feature, as the name implies, will automatically lock the door.
The Safety of Smart Locks
A lock is an essential component of home security, and it has been since humanity discovered how to build houses. Many manufacturers market these products for their ease of use, cutting-edge features, and overall design. These qualities are all necessary, but the security aspect should never get overlooked. In fact, it must be the top priority. If you think about it, all other features are worthless if the security of your smart house is compromised. Hacking and forced entry are the most common challenges smart locks need to overcome. This way, they can protect and secure the room or house properly.
More Ways to Secure Your Home
For protection against forced entry, you should look for smart locks that promote the usage of ANSI Grade 1 deadbolts. These deadbolts provide optimum protection for your house and are very resistant to forceful means of entry. Also, homeowners may employ various practical methods along with smart locks to keep their houses as secure as possible.
Like all devices that use the internet, smart lock hacking is always a threat that many homeowners are wary about. To bolster the chances of not getting hacked, apply some of these recommendations:
- Many homeowners do not change their router name, which makes it easier for hackers to access it. That’s why you must think of a unique name so that it will be difficult to guess. This practice is also applicable to passwords.
- If possible, use at least eight or more characters with numbers and special symbols. Update the password of your router and the smart lock (if applicable) monthly or quarterly. If you have regular visitors, learn how to create a guest password so that they won’t know the admin password.
- Choose WPA2 or WPA router security levels because they provide much better encryption than WEP.
- Always check if your firewall is activated.
Are Smart Locks Any Good?
When trying to figure out how secure smart locks are, know that it’s safe enough. Still, you should also be aware of their features and limitations. Not all smart locks are equal, which means some models will provide more security and add-on features than others. Nevertheless, if installed correctly, these locks can make your life more convenient and unquestionably more secure.
