Re: Automated front door lock?

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

andrew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Andrew Gabriel) wrote:

>In article <Xns96A58FBCD269DKeithBC4ReaderTokenI@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
>	Keith <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx> writes:
>> Newbie here-
>>
>> I need to replace my front door lock/deadbolt combo, and was thinking it
>> would be nice to put in something with a keypad where I could program
>> several codes with different expirations (for repairmen, meter readers,
>> etc.)
>
>I've thought about this for a while.
>One significant problem you might have is satisfying your
>insurance company that whatever scheme you have come up with
>is actually secure. There are two sides to this. The first is
>the physical door locking mechanism -- those which come anywhere
>near as robust as a standard door lock/bolt are horrendously
>expensive. The second is the security of the software and
>electronics side of things. If a burglar enters your house
>through the door, I could imagine severe problems getting any
>insurance company to pay out.

I agree with Andrew (except for the cost - the IR deadbolts are relatively
inexpensive and reasonably robust). Anything you find that is this
programmable is far too complex and entails security problems of its own.

Go to www.SmartHome.com and search on "deadbolt" for alternatives. There are
automated deadbolts that are quite secure although they do not have the easy
reprogramming and reporting desired by the OP.

Anything using RF (including RFID) and not using rolling codes is suspect.
It's too easy to capture and play back.

The IR operated deadbolts use very short range IR which is difficult to
intercept.