Can Digital Locks Be Hacked?
Digital locks are an automated version of traditional locks, in that they use the same physical locking mechanisms but the way the locking mechanism is engaged is automated. This means that digital locks are just as secure in a physical sense, and because of the convenience and how authorisation can be controlled, they also offer additional levels of security. That is why, in the 21st century we are more engaged with digital locks, and particularly smart locks. But the question still remains; can digital locks be hacked?
The answer is yes, digital locks can be hacked, but this is really a technical point, because as we will explain in this article, the levels of security possible with digital locks means you are far more secure if you have one, certainly compared to a traditional lock using a key.
Are all digital locks smart locks?
No. This is an important distinction to make. Many digital locks are activated using a physical keypad. With these you use a unique PIN number or passcode which is distributed only to authorised personnel. When the locking mechanism is activated, via the correct number or code, a digital signal is sent to communicate that the lock can be disengaged. These kind of systems don’t use smart technology and can’t be accessed using a smartphone. However, they can still be ‘hacked’ in the sense that someone can try and access them by guessing the number or code.
Can smart locks be hacked?
Smart locks can also be activated by PIN numbers and codes, or by biometric features such as face, eye, voice or fingerprint recognition. They are most commonly activated now by simply flashing our smartphones near a receiver at the door. They are super convenient and offer great integration with other home or business smart systems, as well as additional security features, but in a technical sense they can be hacked.
The good news is they are unlikely to be hacked by an opportunist thief, because the levels of security surrounding smart technology means a regular intruder is unlikely to have the technical knowledge to bypass the levels of security you can install in a digital lock. They would likely prefer to use a crowbar to access your property rather than spend 20 minutes trying to hack your system, so unless you are for some reason a high profile or specifically targeted home or business, they will simply move onto another target, and if they did gain access with brute force, your smartphone app would likely notify you that the lock has been engaged using an improper method (on models with this feature).
How can smart locks be hacked?
Smart locks work using various technology communication platforms, these are usually Bluetooth or WiFi, but could use other software types. A smart lock can be hacked by someone compromising your Bluetooth connection or breaching your WiFi network. They could also access your smartphone data. They are usually able to do this because you have weak passwords set-up or you have outdated software running the smart lock.
How can you safeguard against your smart lock being hacked?
Although it is very unlikely that an opportunist thief is going to have the skills, technical knowledge, time and patience to hack into your smart lock system, the fact that it is technically possible means most people are perfectly within their rights to want to guard against this. So here is how you can gain peace of mind that your smart lock is as secure as possible:
- Use trusted manufacturers – A well-known and respected brand will have high levels of security built-into their systems already.
- Use additional security controls – When you are given the option always opt to add features such as two-factor authentication (this is where a unique code is sent to the registered email address or smartphone, which would normally be yours) or a 128-bit encryption.
- Strong passwords – It can be a pain setting up different passwords for everything we need to log-in to, but a long and unique password is much more difficult for a potential hacker to bypass.
- Software updates – Always keep up-to-date with new software that is released and opt for software updates whenever they are offered. Software updates fix bugs in previous versions and add new security features that have been designed. Essentially, hackers become experts in one software version but new versions combat all the ways they have learnt to bypass your security, so they are set a new challenge with updated software and are faced with new software code they need to learn to crack.