This is a good question. The simple answer is yes, they can be hacked. But then and again, no computer system is invulnerable to hacking.
The truth of the matter is that for as long as you have something digital, and most especially so if you connect it online, you are susceptible to hacking.
Today, I will dive deeper into the topic of whether smart locks can be hacked or not. I will help you explore how they work, how safe they are, and what you can do to prevent being hacked.
What ways can your smart lock be hacked?
There are several ways that an intruder can gain access to your smart lock, and I will explain the details below:
Password hi-jacking – this is a method where the intruder or hacker will guess your password. This is why you have to create a password that follows the requirements of a manufacturer. There is a reason why they have such stringent systems—it is for your security.
If you use passwords like your birthday, anniversary, or other common words and number combination, you are making the hacker’s life easier. And once the hacker gets lucky, they now have access to your door.
Manufacture flaws – let us face it, some manufacturers do not do a good job of checking their systems for vulnerabilities before they sell them. We have seen so many cases of hacking even for large corporations.
For smart locks, manufacturers can have oversight in their security systems. For example, they may have inadvertently saved your passwords in plain text. And if someone gets access to this, they can easily get your data and hack your smart lock.
The only way you can feel safe about this problem is to only get a smart lock from a trusted manufacturer or a trusted brand. The cost should not be a concern; the higher the cost, the more secure the system is going to be.
Why? Because trusted manufacturers spent many years developing the system. The development process includes a lot of system checks for vulnerabilities. Also, they employed the services of people who have proper credentials to work on the product.
Phone theft – another way for hackers to get into your smart lock system is to steal your phone. If they know your phone’s password, they can easily access your smart lock system. Some apps allow you to open your door when the phone is nearby, without having to tap anything from the app to open your door.
In such a situation, the only thing a theft has to do is to get your phone and go to your house. He only has to be nearby, and the door to your house will open.
To prevent this, your primary concern is to protect your phone. Second, do not set your phone in such a way where the door will open just because the phone is nearby. Set it in such a way where you have to tap on your phone to open the door.
And of course, there is the manual way. Thieves can force entry to your door if they want to. However, this is not technically hacking, but rather a clear case of old-fashioned burglary.
Tips for buying a smart lock
Just because a smart lock can be hacked does not mean you should not buy one. There are many kinds of smart locks, and many of these brands are dependable. You only have to take the time to research which ones will protect you better.
Here are our tips:
- Choose locks with long password length – the longer it is, the better. it is much more difficult for hackers to guess your password if it is long. The most ideal is to have 16 characters long. The usual is eight, but 16 is far better. I know that it is tedious to memorize a lot of numbers and characters, but just remember that it is your home that we are talking about.
- 2-factor authentication – if you will buy a smart lock system, choose one that has 2-factor authentication. Choose those whose apps require not just your basic password, but another method. Today, most online services not only ask you for your password, but they also send a one-time-password or OTP on your phone. Some smart locks do this now—they send a PIN to your email or your phone number.
- Lost-phone feature – if you lost your phone, you must have an alternative way of authenticating yourself. You should also have a way of reporting it. Some smart locks have this feature. Once your phone is lost or stolen, you can report so and your app will e disabled. All virtual keys associated with that phone will also be disabled.
- Alarm and camera – choose a smart lock that has a camera, as it allows you to see who is unlocking your door. There must also be an alarm system that will make a noise if the wrong password was used. Alarms will alert your neighbors, and this will force the criminal to flee.
Only buy a smart lock system from a reputable company. As I mentioned earlier, the price should be an issue.
You are trying to protect not only our properties but also the people that you love. If you explore my blog, I have reviewed some smart locks that I strongly recommend.
Are smart locks safe at all?
Yes, they are. If you are looking for a security system that is 100% safe, that thing does not exist. All security systems are just about how strong they are.
They are like doors. No door can protect you if the criminal really wants to blast it or force his way.
Smart locks are made with security in mind, and also convenience. However, they are not guaranteed to be 100% fail-safe. You have to do your part to make it work the way it is intended to.
If you think about it, you also do not have a guarantee with traditional locks. you can buy an expensive deadbolt and you can still get robbed. However, a high-quality deadbolt makes it a lot more difficult for a burglar to get into your home.
The beauty of smart locks is that they offer convenience and extra security features. For example, if you left the house and you are unsure if you locked the door or not, you can access the app and lock the door from there.
Overall, I will still recommend smart locks not only for their modern look and feel but because they have added digital security to physical security.
Smart locks are far safer and more convenient than typical locks that use keys. Do not be afraid to get one, but make sure that you buy your lock from a reputable manufacturer.
Summary: Can smart locks be hacked?
Security is a relative thing. There is no such thing as 100% secure, which means that all systems can be hacked.
Security systems can only be graded as low or high, and we can expect them to only improve, but not become perfect. A smart lock is still a wonderful thing, and if you can afford to install one, I strongly suggest that you do.