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As with any purchase, you should do your research before you take the plunge and invest. Unfortunately, if you're new to smart locks, that's easier said than done.
If you want to buy a smart lock but have no idea where to start, don't worry. MakeUseOf is here to help! In this piece, I'll introduce you to the most important things to consider before making your purchase. I'll even introduce you to a few different makes and models as we go along.
The most important feature of any lock is its security. In the same way that a skilled criminal can easily pick a cheap traditional lock, a well-versed hacker will be able to crack your smart lock and enter your abode in a few seconds if your lock isn't robust enough.
And, oddly enough, a lot of locks. not as secure as you would expect . At DEF CON 2016 in Las Vegas, a presentation by security experts Anthony Rose and Ben Ramsey showed that four models of smart locks from Quicklock, iBlulock and Plantraco used plain text passwords, a cybercriminal's dream.
The presentation went on to explain how the Ceomate, Elecycle, Vians, Okidokey and Mesh Motion models could also be cracked. However, the flaws in their models were not that serious:Rose and Ramsey had to use more advanced hacking techniques, including replay attack, cheating, device spoofing, and decompiling APKs.
So are there smart locks safe from hackers? Fortunately, yes. Researchers found that Bluetooth locks from Noke, Master Lock, and Kwikset were unreadable. The August locks were also thought to be unfit for use, but a different DEF CON attendee managed to break them later in the conference.
Take a look at the Kwikset Kevo range. They offer fingerprint unlocking, a usage history, ringer integration, and alerts for suspicious activity.
Speaking of features, what can you expect your smart lock to offer? What comes as standard?
Here's a rundown of the features you can expect to find in all smart locks. If the product you're looking at doesn't have most of these items included, you should probably move on to a more secure option.
User-based permissions are a key aspect of smart lockouts. They eliminate the need for spare keys for visitors or workers and allow you to maintain tighter control over who has access to your building.
Consider the range of locks for August. They allow you to grant access to certain people at specific times of the day or during a certain period of time. For example, maybe you only want your cleaner to come in at 10:00 AM. at 12:00 pm. noon on Thursdays or just want to give your visiting aunt access for the duration of her stay.
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Just like a traditional lock, smart locks are still vulnerable to brute force. If a compromised intruder attacks your lock with a flathead screwdriver, there's a good chance they'll eventually gain access. The best smart locks will send you a notification if your entry point is under physical attack.
The Yale Smart Lock is one of those products. If it detects someone trying to break in, an audible alarm will sound and your smartphone will ring.
If your lock has geofencing, you can say goodbye to searching for keys in the rain. Instead, your entry point will be automatically unlocked. Make an auto lock office door with proximity sensor for smartphones. Make an auto lock office door with proximity sensor for smartphones. We'll be setting up a Raspberry Pi with a Bluetooth adapter to watch for when your smartphone is out of range, and activate a relay to lock the door. Read More
The Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock 2nd Gen offers the feature. Use Bluetooth authentication to detect when you're close to home. It's more secure than Wi-Fi-based geofencing, which has the potential to inadvertently unlock your home when you're still within a few blocks of your residence.
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More and more locks now offer voice activation. These locks allow you to lock and unlock a room with a simple audio command. Most will also require you to recite a PIN code for an added level of security.
If you want a voice-activated lock, consider purchasing the Schlage Sense. It works with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit to bring you the feature.
Integrations with third-party products are important. If you're running Nest, Alexa, HomeKit, SmartThings Samsung SmartThings:The Future of Smart Homes? Samsung SmartThings:The Future of Smart Homes? Samsung has long supported the idea of the smart home, and its recent developments and flexibility make Samsung SmartThings a solid investment for the future. Read More Which Smart Hub for Home Automation is Best for You? Which Smart Hub for Home Automation is Best for You? For a while, people thought the idea was nothing more than a gimmick, but recent product launches have shown that smart home automation is starting to deliver on its promises. Read More
A growing number of smart locks now provide the integrations, including the Poly-Control Danalock V2 BT and the August range of products. August works with Alexa, HomeKit, Google Assistant and more.
Some locks, like August and Kevo, even offer IFTTT integrations. IFTTT Smart Home Smart Integrations for Your Life IFTTT Smart Home Smart Integrations for Your Life The future of smart home is now. And thanks to online websites like IFTTT, creating a smart home is easier and more impressive than ever. Read more . A quick search for these brands will bring up a wide range of recipes. For example, when someone locks/unlocks your door, the device can send a notification to your TV screen, turn on your WeMo switches, turn off the oven, or dim your lights.
Most of the potential pitfalls for smart locks are related to security. Since an insecure lock can literally give a criminal the keys to your house, you need to be careful.
Take the geofencing feature. If someone steals your phone, what can you do to prevent them from approaching your house and walking straight ahead? With the amount of data on smartphones these days, it's easy for a thief to find out where he lives if he has access to your mobile operating system.
Integration with services like Amazon Alexa Smart Home Smackdown:Amazon Alexa vs. Apple HomeKit Smart Home Smackdown:Amazon Alexa vs. Apple HomeKit In this article, you'll learn more about Amazon Alexa and how Apple Siri integrates with HomeKit. See a comparison between both products and decide which one is better. Read More Could someone hack into a different device in your home (like a baby monitor) and then use that access to virtually hack into your lock or even activate your lock from the inside? It would be beyond the skill set of an average user, but an expert cybercriminal could easily do it, especially since default passwords are insecure on many smart home devices.
Lastly, you need to consider how well the manufacturer has designed the locks from a physical standpoint. I've already touched on brute force attacks, but be sure to do your research on the strength of the lock you're about to buy. Cheaper models are unlikely to be as robust as a high-end device.
There are also some practical drawbacks. A malfunctioning voice activation system could leave you locked out (or possibly worse) in a certain room. Similarly, if your smart lock is battery powered, what happens when the batteries die but you don't have the physical key on your person?
I hope this article has made it clear that there are pros and cons to buying a smart lock. They bring greater comfort and, in some cases, greater security. But there are also some major drawbacks to consider before you part with your cash.
Thinking of buying a smart lock? How have you weighed the pros and cons in your own mind? I would love for you to share your thoughts with your readers.
You can leave all your opinions and comments in the comments below..
