Homeowners have a growing number of reasons to be concerned about safety, especially as technology continues to enter more and more aspects of our lives. As technology has become an integrated part of the house, it was only natural for individuals to begin adding intelligent features and capabilities that would boost the amount of protection they could provide for their belongings and homes. If you are considering investing in the smart lock business, you must comprehensively understand all aspects of these devices. Let’s start to investigate.
What is a Smart Lock?
A smart lock is a digitally controlled lock that can be secured and opened from a distant location or locally using some form of the wireless device or keypad. A specialized app operates most modern intelligent locks on a smartphone, a specialized electronic keypad, or even a basic keypad with a code or biometric access. Many smart locks may also be operated via speech recognition utilizing intelligent home assistants such as Alexa or Google Home.
Are Smart Locks Safe to Use?
Some individuals still do not believe in technological tools, and they do not think that smart locks can keep their houses safe. Nonetheless, these locks offer many benefits that contribute to their overall security. To begin, they do not need a key, so there is no need to worry about misplacing or losing one of them.
A smart lock cannot be opened in any way. Another benefit is that it gives users control over the number of persons allowed on their property at any time. They may get alerts on their phone whenever someone tries to enter their house if they have a smart lock linked to their phone and monitors who comes and goes. Since anyone can control these locks from a distance, even if users fail to secure the home before leaving, anyone may do it later with only a few clicks.
With these characteristics, you must invest in the smart lock business and expand your services. Yet quality is essential in the business world, and because of this, you may get the items you need for your outlets from Philips, which manufactures products to a high level.
There is no doubt in our minds that the door lock for the smart home provides the same level of safety as a conventional lock. The most important factors to consider are how users keep it up and what other precautions they take.
An intelligent solution can consist, for instance, of using smart gadgets to give an extra layer of protection to one’s house. Users also have the option of installing surveillance cameras and an alarm system. These devices include a variety of capabilities that will assist users in assessing the vulnerable areas of their homes and increasing the level of safety there.
Does a Smart Lock Need the Use of Wi-Fi?
Indeed, the Philip Smart Sensor is capable of direct communication, which is enabled through the Wi-Fi network in people’s homes. No matter where they are in the globe, Philips can give users up-to-the-minute information on the state of the doors and windows in their house, including whether or not they are locked. Users will not be able to get these alerts unless they have the Philip app installed on the mobile device and are connected to the internet or a 4G network.
How Can Smart Lock Be Hacked?
People forget that a smart lock is essentially just a little computer and is subject to being hacked, just as they do with most other smart gadgets. It is conceivable for hackers to access the information stored on your phone and breach it, or they may hack the lock itself if it is Bluetooth-enabled. Both of these scenarios are possible.
Since then, several smart locks have been updated to fix the flaw, making them more protected than ever. Even so, this does not guarantee that hackers will not uncover new weaknesses in the future. Because of this, it is essential to be informed of any security risks that may occur with these locks. The question now is, how exactly can a smart lock be hacked?
Ø Bluetooth Sniffing
Even though Bluetooth is the significant communication protocol used by many smart locks, it is crucial to understand how hackers might listen in on this connection. They can do so by using any one of a wide variety of Bluetooth cracking devices, which may range from relatively simple tools to more complex technology that has been developed mainly for this objective.
Yet, although this is possible, Bluetooth was designed to be a standard for communication over short distances. Hence, to attempt to hack the smart lock, they would need to be in the same room as the lock themselves.
Ø Wi-Fi Breaching
Wi-Fi access is yet another prevalent method that hackers utilize to get access to consumers’ smart locks. Hackers have the potential to take advantage of specific flaws in the Wi-Fi connection that your smart lock uses. Yet, in the same way, that Bluetooth requires a physical connection, any evil hackers need to be near your home’s network.
Ø Outdated Software for the Companion App or Device
Every single, smart lock comes with a mobile application that can be used to operate the lock itself. This application should always be kept current with the most recent firmware. However, in practice, this is only sometimes the situation.
There are sure locks on the market that come with companion applications. However, these apps are only sometimes compatible with the most recent firmware upgrades. This may make the lock susceptible to being hacked.
Because of this, it is essential to ensure that the firmware on all smart devices is kept up to current at all times. Connecting to the lock’s Wi-Fi will allow you to determine whether or not the firmware on your lock has been up to date.
Ø Password Hijacking Smart Locks
Hijacking a password is a relatively widely used practice for any device that requires a password. This occurs when the hacker takes possession of the user’s smartphone. After gaining access to the device, the hacker can access the cloud data.
When users have connected their smartphone with the smart lock and have files on their phone that include the password, fingerprint, or voice activation audio, it will be simple for the hacker to get into their account and access the private information. If users don’t establish a strong password for the smart lock, criminals can figure out what it is and hack into the system. After successfully breaking into their locks, the hacker can open and close the door at a whim.
Ø Problems and Weaknesses Caused by the Smart Locks Manufacturer
Throughout history, there have been situations where sure locks may be opened with relative ease owing to oversights and defects in the manufacturing process. Hackers may access the safety and enter the house if safeguards are not in place.
Like most computer hardware, digital locks need to be updated regularly. This is to either add extra features to the smart locks or repair any small faults that they may have. If the software is flawed in any way, the locks may become useless as a result. Your possessions will be left in an unguarded state. Thus, make sure you choose the proper manufacturer of smart locks, such as Philips.
Ø Hacking the Voice Commands
Voice commands allow for the relatively hands-free operation of digital locks, a handy feature. Nevertheless, this functionality is sensitive to hacking attempts. To utilize a smart assistant like Google or Amazon, you’ll need to provide a pin code for the smart locks that respond to voice requests.
With locks that employ Z-wave, it is possible to construct a unique voice command that does not need a code. It is practical, but there are better choices for security. Individuals familiar with the voice command will be able to bypass the need for a code to open their doors.
What are Some Ways to Avoid Hacking?
Although smart locks are often more secure than traditional locks, there is always the possibility that they may be hacked. This does not indicate that users have to get rid of or switch them out for regular locks; instead, it simply means that you must take additional safety precautions.
A smart lock is something users can install on their own with little effort, but you should continue. To protect the smart lock from being compromised by hackers, users should take the extra safety precautions outlined in the following list:
Ø Install Smart Locks Manufactured by Reputable Brands
Customers should only purchase the devices from reputable firms, as these brands are more likely to manufacture locks that are both up-to-date and equipped with adequate security mechanisms. So, you need to invest in a reputable manufacturer such as Philips for your company.
Inexpensive smart locks may be more attractive, but they will likely have fewer security mechanisms, making them far more straightforward to hack into. The most reliable smart locks will be equipped with built-in security mechanisms to ensure that the locks are safe at all times.
Ø Update Locks When New Firmware Is Available
To protect your lock from being hacked, users should always use the most recent version of the firmware to keep it updated. This is one of the most crucial steps a user can take. This will fix any weaknesses in the lock’s source code, protecting the user against hackers who attempt to hack the lock.
Ø Make Use of a Smart Lock That is Encrypted Using AES
Every smart lock that is worthwhile the money should have encryption that is at least 128 bits strong and use the AES algorithm. It will be almost difficult for any hacker to enter the house without first discovering the password or gaining access to the Wi-Fi network if users have this kind of security, which is among the most cutting-edge protection measures now available anywhere in the globe.
Ø Implement the Two-Factor Authentication Protocol
Two-factor authentication is an extra security feature that users may use to protect themself against unwanted access to smart locks. This can be done by entering a password together with a second piece of information.
This indicates that to obtain access; users will need not just the password but also an additional form of authentication, which will often be in the form of a security token given to their smartphone.
Ø Ensure the ANSI Grade Rating is Accurate
The American National Standards Institute has established a standard known as the ANSI grade rating. This rating indicates the reliability of a lock’s security measures. Locks with a minimum ANSI grade level of 1 should be sufficient to protect you against the vast majority of hackers.
What is the Ideal Manufacturer of Smart Locks?
As mentioned above, Users of the Philips smart lock can monitor their home’s windows and doors without placing their residence in danger of being broken into by cybercriminals. People can have complete and complete peace of mind that not only their home but also their data is as secure as houses at all times since the product has the most significant points and bolts in the globe and has PAS24 certification, which is for increased security.
The Philips smart lock is built on the principle that new technologies must make life simpler and more practical. It is also about providing people with a hassle-free and comfortable experience regarding the security of their homes, beginning with the front door lock of the customers.
How Do Philips Smart Locks Work?
Most Philips smart locks have a fingerprint scanner or sensor, and they operate automatically. Like other types of smart locks, it has a function called auto lock, which causes the lock to shut and lock itself whenever the door is closed. When smart locks are initially put at customers’ front doors, consumers are allowed to test the locks.
Smart homes have become more popular over the last several years; an intelligent lock serves as the home’s first entry point. The Philips smart lock enables customers to access their devices remotely.
Being a new product category, the Philips digital lock integrates cutting-edge technology into the smart lock, similar to how smart homes do, elevating the value of the smart lock and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Individuals may live more conveniently by replacing their current locks with new ones. In addition to the company’s advocacy design and remarkable engineering, Philips strongly emphasizes professional service and the brand’s prestige.
As a result, most smart lock businesses consider Philips to be one of the finest partners for their smart locks. It would be best to consider purchasing from this manufacturer to improve your company experience.
Conclusion
Several aspects should be considered while searching for the most suitable smart door lock for your business. Because of this, it is essential to have access to a trustworthy source of information so that you do not need to double-check everything or, worse, make the incorrect option for the sake of your company’s profit.
In addition, clients require a trained specialist’s assistance to properly install, replace, or repair the lock. There is a possibility that Philips smart locks are a fantastic choice.
