Can Digital Locks Be Hacked? With the increasing popularity of digital locks, most people all over the world are avoiding the use of traditional locks and keys and preferring to install these new locking systems to ensure the safety and security of their home or office.
Another reason for increasing the use of these electronic locks is the convenience offered by them as you can unlock, lock as well as monitor them remotely by using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or both. Moreover, they also offer unmatched security benefits to the users.
But due to certain recent incidents of hacking of digital locks, some people are hesitant to use them. In this situation, a question arises that can digital locks be hacked?
Yes, can be the shortest answer to this question. According to researchers, any device that works and can be accessed anytime through the internet is likely at risk of being hacked. Similar is the condition with digital locks.
But that does not mean that you cannot rely on digital locks and you will have to return to the traditional locking systems. The information provided in this write-up will introduce the ways of hacking your digital locks and the ways to ensure the safety of your home or office with them.
It was very easy for thieves to gain entry in any premises when key-operated traditional locks were used as they can break those locks by smashing them, finding keys hidden somewhere nearby, or using duplicate keys.
To avoid such things, people have started using digital locks. But when these digital locks can be hacked then your home or office is anytime open to hackers. Different ways of hacking digital locks are briefly described hereunder for your consideration.
In some cases during the last few years, some of the homes protected with digital locks were accessed easily by the burglars due to certain manufacturing oversights and flaws.
Storing the password of the customers in easy to read text so that it can be stolen or read by the burglars possessing their system can be one of such flaws.
Inadequate efforts to provide enough software options to protect the digital locks from being hacked can be an example of the weakness of the manufacturer in this regard. In the absence of an appropriate protection system, hackers can easily access your home or office by manipulating your digital locks.
Anyone can access your home by having the password of your digital lock as it can be operated like other devices operated through a password. If your password for your locking system is not very strong then it can be hijacked by the hackers very easily.
They can control the security system of your home or office once they get your password.
Criminals can break into your home just by damaging your digital lock like the traditional locks if they could not access your password or Smartphone to unlock it.
Criminals can unlock your office or home if they can steal your Smartphone as digital locks can be controlled by an app installed on your Smartphone.
To make it easier for the homeowners, some of the digital locks can be unlocked in the presence of your phone even if you have not activated it. So a thief can automatically access your home if he can steal your Smartphone.
Though your digital lock can be hacked by hackers but this risk can be reduced by taking a few careful steps like:
To overcome criminals, usually, manufacturers frequently release updates for their software. You can ensure the safety of your place by downloading these updates as they are released.
Various types of digital locks are available in the market. Some of them are electrically operated locks whereas some of them are operated through access cards, key fob, or keypad. You can eliminate the risk of hacking by using any of these alternative keyless digital locks.
It will not be easy to guess the password of all of your digital locks if you choose a unique password for every lock. After choosing the password you should not share with anyone to do not believe in and ensure to change them frequently.
Thus, digital locks can be protected from being hacked by taking some careful steps discussed in this write-up.