Are keypad door locks safe?

You love the idea of eliminating your old house keys and moving to a modern smart locking system, but you’re worried about safety. Are keypad door locks actually safer than the old locks they replace? The easy response is yes. But before integrating one into your Salinas smart home, there are some things you should consider.

Why smart locks are the right option for your Salinas home

The biggest downside of traditional locks is the requirement of a key. Keys are often misplaced and easy to copy, which spells trouble if they fall into the wrong hands. Besides, older door locks are more vulnerable to picking, bumping, and forcing. Modern smart locks do away with keys completely. The ones that have a backup keyed system usually use a more secure type of cylinder, so they can’t be bypassed by traditional methods.

What are the risks of keypad door locks?

While they’re typically safer than standard locking systems, keypad door locks do come with some risks, such as the following:

• Unauthorized code use: Codes must be kept confidential. It’s also smart to update them often and never use predictable codes like “1234.” If you have to give a person one-time-only access, you can create a code and then delete it once it’s been used.
  
  
• Hacking: Cyber intrusions are always a risk to electronic devices connected to your smart home. Mitigate the risk by updating apps, firmware, and passwords regularly. Integrate two-factor identification whenever you can.
  
  
• Technical issues: Issues can come up due to a software bug, or battery failure. However, essential local features like the keypad still work even when your WiFi is down, but you may lose app functionality. Smart locks with backup keyed locks can give you another way in.

Do smart locks still function during power failures?

Yes, your smart lock should still operate when power is lost as it is powered by batteries, not your wired electricity. You may still use the keypad, Bluetooth, or biometric scanner, depending on what your system offers.

Why pick Vivint smart locks for your Salinas home?

Vivint’s smart locks work smoothly with other components within your smart home ecosystem. You can switch the lights on automatically whenever the door is opened, or configure a complete scene with many automations. To illustrate, you might dim lighting, fasten your door, arm your system, and even adjust your thermostat simultaneously when you head to bed. And you know the best part? Your locks and all your smart home devices are fully accessible in the palm of your hand with the Vivint app.

You’ll always know who’s exiting and entering as Vivint systems keep track of smart lock codes. You can also set up to 50 unique access codes.

Vivint is the key to your Salinas smart home security

Would you enjoy locking or unlocking your door remotely and establishing custom actions that engage your smart locks and other equipment simultaneously? It’s possible with Vivint. Place a call to (831) 400-5196 to explore our systems and start designing your own Salinas smart home.