Megan Winterland | posted 11:19 AM, October 29, 2021
Answer: At some point, most people have had the dull feeling of hearing the door suddenly close when they realize that the key is on the other side. If you have a traditional door lock, re-entering may mean calling the locksmith, hoping you can find a hidden key buried in your garden, or smash your own window. Keyless door locks were once a luxury, expensive, and required professional installation and wiring. As home technology advances and smart homes become more and more common, keyless door locks follow, and homeowners can easily install options and integrate with smart devices. Keyless lock means that you can go back home in an instant by using a keyboard password, fingerprint or swiping on your phone.
But are they safe? Or are they more secure than traditional locks? The answer is that they can. If a keyless lock means you are more likely to lock the door every time you leave, it is less likely to hide the key under the doormat, or make a lot of extra keys for sharing but you will eventually forget, then yes, they can be more Safety. However, traditional front door locks provide some modification options to increase security, while keyless locks have some weaknesses in terms of reliance on technology. Depending on your habits and needs, they may be a good choice.
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Literally, a keyless lock can reduce your burden. Since the keyless lock does not require a key at all, it can reduce the heavy key ring in your pocket.
The keypad lock has an integrated 10-digit backlit keypad where the homeowner can enter a password to unlock the door. They are simple, easy to program, and easy to use-as long as you change the code frequently to prevent the keys from being worn out, and as long as you choose a code that you can remember. If you choose an easy-to-guess code, such as your birthday, house number, or phone number, all security masquerades will disappear. However, with security codes, keypad locks provide many benefits. Users can share codes with children and extended family members, so there is no need to track keys. Many keyboard locks can be programmed so that temporary passwords can be provided to maintenance professionals, dog walkers, and babysitters. Some locks can limit the time window during which each password is active. No need to carry or lose any extra items, and since most keypad locks are battery-powered, they will always work (as long as you replace the battery on time).
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The fingerprint lock combines a keyboard lock with an additional technology: a fingerprint reader. Very similar to the fingerprint security board on many mobile phones, the fingerprint lock includes a small touch pad, if the fingerprint is registered in the lock's technology, it can read your fingerprint and unlock the door. The fingerprint scanner is paired with the keyboard as a backup and allows homeowners to share codes with others who they don’t want to fingerprint in the system. Some locks now use facial recognition scanners instead of fingerprint readers with keyboard-like backups.
Bluetooth-enabled door locks use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology to unlock the door with a paired remote key or app. Ideal for when your hands are full, without the need to put the keychain on the lock or handle it in any way: when you approach from the depths of your pocket, purse or bag, the keychain will unlock the door. These locks can usually also be unlocked through the app, because the shared Bluetooth technology pairs the remote control key with the lock and the lock with the home’s Wi-Fi system, controls it from anywhere through the app, and gives you full control over who can enter your home , Even if you are not there. Bluetooth locks do have some problems in terms of connectivity and hacking potential, but these challenges can be overcome through careful security practices.
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This may be the most obvious weakness of some keyless locks. Although some are battery-powered, any lock that needs to be connected to a power source or the Internet is at risk when there is a power outage. The backup battery can power the lock itself, but the Bluetooth lock needs to be connected to the home’s Wi-Fi system, so if the router loses power, the door lock may get stuck wherever it was when the power was turned off. If someone is inside, most of them can be opened manually from the inside, but some will be locked in place until the power is restored. This poses a safety hazard and can cause problems in and out of your home.
Battery-powered locks and backup batteries can sometimes solve this problem. Like many things that are not frequently needed, it is easy to forget to replace the backup battery frequently. If this happens in your home, look for a lock with an indicator light, or send a notification when the backup battery is low, or schedule a replacement on the calendar to avoid being locked out in the event of a power failure.
Almost all keyless locks on the market include a manual spare keyhole, but if your primary reason for choosing a keyless lock is to avoid carrying extra keys, it is important to realistically understand the possibility that you have a spare key with you when you need it carry.
Early criticism of keyless locks stems from the fact that they can only be used for handle locks or latches, because the functions of the earlier versions were not sufficient to force the opening or closing of the bolt. Therefore, homeowners need to add a separate bolt with a key to their door to properly protect their house, thereby negating the convenience factor of a keyless lock.
Fortunately, this is no longer the case. Keyless locks are available in a variety of configurations: door handle locks, handle sets with coordinated bolts, additional bolts, and full panel locks that look elegant even on traditional doors. In addition, a keyless lock is also provided, which can retrofit your existing bolt by fixing the controller box to the existing switch, so if you want to keep the existing handle for aesthetic reasons, you can add the keyless function.
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A technologically advanced keyless lock must be difficult and expensive to install, right? No! All you need to install one of these locks yourself is a few basic tools. These instructions will guide you through the process of removing the old lock, making any necessary adjustments, and installing the new keyless lock in place. If you feel uncomfortable with your own installation, you can find a handyman (or a convenient neighbor) to help you; the installation speed is very fast, no need to spend money to hire a locksmith.
If you choose a lock connected via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, there is a small technical hurdle because you have to connect the lock to your home network, download the appropriate mobile app, create an account, and connect to set it up Code or register fingerprint or face. Programmable locks require some settings. But these locks come with good instructions and links to useful videos online, and most of them have a customer service hotline. If you encounter a problem, a representative will be there to help you set it up.
It seems that almost every aspect of the family can be automated and programmed through smart home devices. Lighting, temperature and HVAC, TVs, ovens and washing machines, alarm systems-even light bulbs can all be controlled by swiping a few times on a mobile phone or tablet or using a quick input with a smart home assistant. Keyless locks are no exception. The integration with the smart home system puts all your smart home controls in one place, so it is easier to track everything and it is also easier to maintain the highest level of security.
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One of the most reassuring features of smart door locks is the ability to check to make sure your door is closed and locked, whether you are going to sleep or don’t remember whether you have locked the back door or are on a 2-hour road trip, and suddenly you can’t find the key to turn the key. Muscle memory. A quick check app will tell you if the doors are closed and locked-or not, but if they are not locked, you can also do this through the app. If they are not closed, then... you will have to call a helpful neighbor because the smart device can't actually close your door yet. If the garage door is powered by a smart garage door opener and lock, you may be able to close and lock the garage door, but the door to the home still requires labor.
Every lock on the market, whether keyed or keyless, has a physical weakness: the strength of the lock depends on the building material, the length of the bolt, and the strength of the material into which the bolt slides. Each of these factors affects the likelihood of the door being kicked or pushed in, so strengthening them can increase safety.
The American National Standards Institute and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association test and rate locks to help homeowners choose the strength that best suits their needs. They test the locks to see if they can withstand the ways most home intruders might choose to try to enter: prying, hitting the door, hitting the lock, and other methods. These three levels determine the appropriate application of the lock. It is recommended that you choose the lock that is most suitable for your door to achieve exterior door security. ANSI level 1 locks are the strongest locks available. Locks classified as level 1 are standard for commercial properties and can also provide the best security for residential doors, but they are more expensive and can be very industrial in appearance. However, as keyless locks become more common, the style of level 1 locks is expanding. ANSI Class 2 locks are very durable, but not as good as Class 1. Class 2 locks have more finishes and styles than Class 1, providing excellent security for residential environments. ANSI Class 3 locks have the lowest rating, and although they do provide security, they are only suitable for residential locks. Their tongues may be shorter and made of less durable materials.
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The keyless lock has all three levels, so you can choose the one that best suits your home to make it as safe as possible. Another item to check for physical weakness: most traditional locks provide the option of replacing the bolt with a longer bolt, and replacing the impact plate on the lock with a steel shell, both of which increase the strength of the bolt. Since most of the electronic components of keyless locks cannot be modified in this way, you need to choose a lock that already has longer bolts and a steel lock plate for maximum security.
Unlike traditional key locks, smart door locks have a second weakness: technology. Because they are electronic and often connected to the home network, they are vulnerable to hacker attacks or penetration. When your code is spread in the air, a skilled hacker can get the code from the remote control key, or break into your Wi-Fi and access the keyboard code and enter your home. If you store the app on a phone without a strong password and lose it, anyone who picks it up can control the smart lock (and possibly many other things in your home). Since your home network is connected to all devices, hackers who don’t even intend to access your lock may stumble upon them when trying to access your bank account—and digital assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google Home Assistant Can be a plaything for children or guests, and accidentally opens the door to potential hackers.
Lock manufacturers and smart home device manufacturers are constantly improving their hardware and software to combat this danger, but you also have some responsibilities. It is important to choose secure passwords for routers, Wi-Fi, and devices, and it is also important to change passwords regularly. Ensuring that your home network equipment is regularly updated to the latest firmware will ensure that any known security vulnerabilities are fixed, and upgrading routers and modems occasionally can greatly ensure that you are as safe as possible. Using the two-factor authentication provided by the smart home app (and logging out when you are not using the app) will increase your security. Finally, make sure you understand the various connections and security options that digital home assistants such as Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Google Home Assistant establish with your family and the outside world, and how to protect them so that you can also protect them appropriately.
For busy families with a lot of people coming and going every day, keyless locks can be a kind of liberation: no need to hand over the keys frequently, leave the keys in the hiding place, hide the keys in the backpack, and make sure they all come back Now, everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. Programming the code into the keyless lock so that everyone can enter when needed (and only when needed), which only makes life easier. Those who have older family members who may need help at times may be relieved because they know they can come in immediately after receiving a notification or unlock the door from another location to allow emergency personnel to enter, as well as anyone who has ever seen Joy The toddler’s parents slammed a door and then tried to coax the child to open the door through the postbox. They would like the option of allowing themselves to re-enter.
On the other hand, those who find the extra layer of technology daunting or confusing may just feel insecure about electronically controlled locks. Ordinary keyboard locks that are not connected to the home network can provide the perfect combination of security and convenience. For some people, the real sense of security will never be found behind anything, a solid lock that can only be opened with a key. This is also good because safety is as important as your comfort and sense of security, because it is as important as a physical lock that keeps the door closed.
Depending on your lifestyle, keyless door locks may be convenient and easy to use, or they may be worrying. Take a moment to consider the maintenance and safety requirements of smart locks, as well as the benefits of easy installation and connection, and then decide whether a keyless lock is the right choice for you.
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