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Smart locks were viewed as future technology until only a few years ago. On the other hand, a majority of American families (56%) recently reported feeling safe using smart security tools.
Yet, given that smart locks rely on various forms of wireless technology, the question “can smart locks be hacked?” naturally arises.
Most often, it is the wireless connection that provides a hacker with access rather than the locks themselves.
What Are Smart Locks?
A smart lock is a special type of lock that you can open or close with your phone, a key fob, or a code. You control the lock with an app on your phone. Some locks need a code, and others use fingerprints.
It is now common for smart home assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home to be used to operate smart locks. Wireless communication technologies like Wifi, Bluetooth, Z-wave, and Zigbee help smart locks work.
You can connect smart locks with your smartphones.
Can a Smart Lock Be Hacked Easily?
I will help you by talking about how criminals and hackers might get past your smart locks. I will also show you how to make them secure.
Password Hijacking
The theft of a smart lock’s password is the simplest method of hacking into one. When your smartphone is stolen, this is usually the case. As soon as they have your smartphone in their hands, they can use a jailbreak to access your online storage.
Data regarding your passcode, fingerprint, or voice recognition audio may be stored on your phone if you’ve connected it to your smart lock.
Avoid this by immediately wiping all data from your smartphone after discovering its loss or theft.
Hacking Bluetooth Devices
In order to communicate with other devices, most modern smart locks use Bluetooth. The use of a Bluetooth sniffer to break into a lock is a less common hack, but it is still viable. Hackers can use Bluetooth to get information from your device. They are very good at coding and using computers.
Because of Bluetooth’s restricted range, a hacker would have to be in close proximity to the lock in order to bypass it successfully.
To stay safe, use a special lock with Bluetooth. It will be hard for people to break into your home.
Wireless Network Security Breakdown
A smart lock may be compromised if an intruder gains access to a user’s home Wi-Fi network. Someone who breaks into your home network still has a long way to go before they can rest easy.
Someone could get access to your smart lock if they know your account information. Or, they can break into the smart hub to get access.
To get your login information, an attacker would have to gain access to one of your networked computers or other devices.
Even so, if you have a trustworthy smart hub and always update the firmware, the odds of being hacked are quite minimal.
The only way for this to occur is if a hacker manages to enter your Wifi network, which is quite unlikely. Choose a robust password for your Wifi and update it frequently to prevent this from happening.
You may make your Wifi less discoverable by turning off broadcasting. In addition, if you’re going to use a smart hub, it should be a reliable one and not a cheap one made by a firm that has the capacity to constantly test for vulnerabilities and deliver updates.
Cracking the Voice-Controlled System
Using your voice to operate your smart locks is easy and futuristic, but it may also leave the lock wide open for a simple hack.
Asking a smart assistant like Google or Alexa to unlock your door typically necessitates providing a pin code. Z-Wave locks are an exception to the rule.
If your smart lock is Z-wave compatible, as seen in the C-Net video below, you can set up a unique voice command to open the door without entering a code.
It’s easy to set up your smart lock so that it doesn’t require a code every time, but this is a major security risk. If someone understands the right voice command, they can open your locks without knowing a code. With a transducer, you can even accomplish this while standing outside your home.
You can avoid this type of exploit by not using voice commands to operate your smart lock, though. Locks that can only be opened with a vocal pin code are the only ones that will work with a smart assistant, so keep that in mind if you’re planning on using one. and please don’t turn it off.
The Trouble with Software Updates
Moreover, software/firmware upgrades pose a risk of bricking your smart lock. Smart locks are similar to other computer gear in that they need frequent upgrades from the manufacturer.
They fix minor issues and sometimes provide new features to the software. Although this is often beneficial, you should think about the consequences should the upgraded software prove problematic. This has the potential to render the lock useless.
Although this wouldn’t immediately unlock affected smart locks, it may imply that if the lock was unlocked when the update was applied, you might not be able to lock it, and vice versa if it was locked.
It’s possible you won’t be able to get into your home at all, or you may be left with an insecure property.
The solution to this problem is to install an additional lock on your door that can be used in the event that your smart lock stops working. You should always have a regular, non-smart lock installed on a door that provides access to your home if you have more than one entrance and exit to your property.
The main thing I needed to know before purchasing a smart lock was if any of the hacking vulnerabilities had actually led to real-world difficulties for homeowners, even though there are fixes to most of them.
Safeguarding Your Smart Door Locks: Keep Cyber Threats at Bay
Smart Door Locks have ushered in an era of convenience and improved home security. Gone are the days of fumbling for keys, worrying about lost or stolen keys, and fretting over unauthorized entry.
However, as with any new technology, smart door locks may have vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. This makes securing your smart lock an essential task for homeowners looking to maintain their peace of mind.
Choose a reliable smart lock brand
One of the first and most important things you should do when purchasing a smart door lock is to choose a reputable brand that prioritizes security. Look for manufacturers with a proven track record of producing secure smart locks and devices.
These brands are more likely to invest in regular security updates and have robust customer support teams that can help you address any issues you may encounter.
Utilize strong and unique passwords
As with any online account, it’s essential to create a strong and unique password for your smart lock’s mobile app. A strong password should contain a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters.
Avoid using easily guessable information, such as birthdays or addresses, in your password. Make sure to change your password regularly and consider using a reliable password manager to help generate and store complex passwords for added security.
Enable multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires users to provide two or more pieces of evidence to verify their identity before granting access to a system. By enabling MFA for your smart lock’s mobile app, you add an extra layer of security against unauthorized access.
This way, even if a hacker cracks your password, they won’t be able to break into your lock without the additional authentication factor, such as a fingerprint or a one-time passcode sent to your smartphone.
Keep your smart lock firmware and app updated
Manufacturers regularly release updates for their smart lock’s firmware and mobile app to patch security vulnerabilities and introduce new features.
It’s crucial that you download and install these updates as soon as they become available to ensure your smart lock remains secure against the latest threats. You can usually set your lock and app to update automatically or receive notifications when an update is available.
Be cautious with your online presence
Hackers often obtain information about potential targets through their online presence. To minimize the risk of your smart lock being hacked, be cautious about sharing personal information online, especially on social media networks.
This includes revealing your home address, vacation plans, and other details that could be used by cybercriminals to target your home.
Likewise, when using your smart lock’s mobile app, ensure you’re only accessing it over secure and trusted Wi-Fi networks, as hackers can intercept and manipulate data sent over public or unsecured networks.
Conclusion
In a world where new technologies continue to evolve, ensuring the security of smart devices, such as door locks, becomes increasingly crucial.
By choosing a reputable smart lock brand, creating strong and unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, keeping your firmware and app updated, and being cautious with your online presence, you can significantly reduce the risk of your smart door lock falling prey to cyber threats.
We recommend you get in touch with SRN Lock Company if you want a hacking-proof smart locking system for your home.
