A smart lock is essentially a motorized version of a traditional deadbolt. While the physical locking bolt is just as strong as standard hardware, smart locks offer advanced convenience like keyless entry, remote access, and activity logs, whereas traditional deadbolts require zero maintenance and rely solely on a physical key.
While smart locks offer great convenience, they introduce several trade-offs. The primary disadvantages include battery dependency, which can result in lockouts; higher initial and maintenance costs; digital vulnerabilities like hacking; and reliance on stable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connections.
Police typically recommend using high-quality deadbolt locks, specifically ANSI Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolts, for exterior doors. They also advise installing locks with a reinforced strike plate and screws at least 3 inches long to resist forced entry.
A smart lock is not inherently safer than a traditional deadbolt, as both are generally as secure as their physical hardware and the door frame they are attached to. However, smart locks can offer better overall home security by eliminating vulnerabilities like lost keys, hidden spares, and unauthorized key copies.
A standard key operated lock is controlled with a knob or a key inside your property. That is the smart lock's role, too. Insurance policies usually don't address electronic mechanisms that could apply to smart locks.
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Myth #1: Keyless locks will fail during power outages.
Fortunately, this is not the case. Keyless locks operate on battery power, which means that even if you experience a power failure in your home or business, your keyless lock will still function as normal.
Yes, smart locks can be hacked, but it is rarely the high-tech, "laptop in a van" scenario seen in movies. Most physical burglaries still involve smashing a window or kicking in a door, but digital vulnerabilities exist if you use poor cyber habits or cheap hardware.
The Door Monkey is a versatile child-proof door lock and pinch guard that clamps onto the edge of a standard interior door. It locks the door in a slightly cracked position, preventing children and pets from entering restricted rooms while still allowing fresh air to circulate.
Even though it may take some time to pick a deadbolt, many burglars are well equipped to handle it with ease. Choose a lock that has a high security cylinder if possible.
Burglars hate anything that makes a break-in noisy, time-consuming, or highly visible. Criminals look for the path of least resistance; if a target requires too much effort or poses a high risk of getting caught, they will simply move on to an easier home.
The easiest way to protect yourself is to use a lock that does not use a pin tumbler. Most mortice locks use levers and do not use pins on springs so are bump proof by design. We recommend British Standard Mortice Deadlocks.
It's a common misconception that a smart lock stops working when the internet goes down. In reality, well-designed locks handle offline scenarios seamlessly. But the core locking and unlocking functions happen locally on the lock itself.
On average, a well-maintained digital lock can last between 3 to 8 years. Regular maintenance and battery replacements are essential for ensuring longevity.
But well-built smart locks are safe and carry little risk in the real world. The main reason: Most burglars don't know how to carry out the kind of sophisticated break-in that smart locks require. The average thief is much more likely to pop open your front door using a crowbar.
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For high residential security and convenience, the best overall type of door lock is a Smart Deadbolt. It combines the physical, drill-resistant strength of a heavy-duty deadbolt with modern, keyless features like smartphone control, auto-locking, and biometric scanners.
Key bumping (or lock bumping) is a covert lock-picking technique that uses a specially modified key (a "bump key") to quickly unlock standard pin-tumbler locks. It relies on kinetic energy to force the lock's internal pins to jump out of the way, allowing the door to open in seconds.
Hackers hate anything that makes their attacks slow, expensive, or completely useless. Their ultimate kryptonite is a prepared digital environment: robust multi-factor authentication (MFA), long and randomized passwords, regular software updates, and air-gapped offline backups.
Locksmiths are trained and certified professionals with years of training in unlocking doors of any type. They are highly trained and can work with almost any range of smart lock types including electronic locks. However, unlocking an electronic lock is a bit more trickier compared to traditional lock types.
1. Smartphones. Smartphones are essentially mini-computers, storing a wealth of personal information like banking details, photos, and messages. With the rise of phishing attacks, malicious apps, and unsecured Wi-Fi networks, smartphones are prime targets for hackers.
If a smart lock battery dies, the lock goes dead but remains securely locked (it will not unlock on its own). You will lose access to digital features like fingerprints, keypads, and apps, but manufacturers build in two main backup entry methods: mechanical keys and temporary emergency power.
3. Create an emergency kit
Common Smart Lock Security Issues