Are keypad door locks safe?

You love the idea of getting rid of your old house keys and moving to a modern smart locking system, but safety is still a worry. Are keypad door locks really safer than their classic counterparts? The easy answer is yes. But before adding one to your Binghamton smart home, there are some things you should know.

Why upgrading to a smart lock makes sense for your Binghamton home

The biggest downside of traditional locks is having to rely on a key. Keys are often lost and simple to copy, which leads to disaster if they fall to the wrong person. Besides, older door locks are more vulnerable to bumping, picking, and forcing. Modern smart locks eliminate the need for a key altogether. The options that have a backup keyed system typically use a more secure kind of cylinder, so they can’t be bypassed by traditional methods.

What are the risks of keypad door locks?

While they’re generally safer than older locking systems, keypad door locks do carry some risks, such as the following:

• Unauthorized code entry: Codes have to be kept secure. It’s also smart to update them periodically and avoid obvious codes like “1234.” If you want to give someone one-time-only access, you can set a code and then remove it once it’s served its purpose.
  
  
• Hacking: Network breaches are always a risk to electronic devices bridged to your smart home. Mitigate the risk by updating passwords, apps, and firmware regularly. Use two-factor identification whenever possible.
  
  
• Technical problems: A battery failure, WiFi disconnection, or software bug can cause issues. Generally speaking, essential local features like keypad entry still work even if your WiFi is offline, but you may lose app functionality. Models with backup keyed systems can provide you with another way in.

Do smart locks still work during power outages?

Yes, your smart lock should still operate when power is lost as it gets power from batteries, not your home’s electricity. You’ll still be able to use the keypad, fingerprint scanner, or Bluetooth, based on what your system uses.

Why pick Vivint smart locks for your Binghamton home?

Vivint’s smart locks work smoothly with other devices within your smart home ecosystem. You can make a rule to turn the lights on any time the door is opened, or establish a full-fledged scene with many automations. To illustrate, you might arm your system, dim lights, fasten your door, and even change your thermostat at the same time when you head to bed. The best part is that your locks and all your smart home devices are completely accessible in the palm of your hand with the Vivint app.

You’ll always get insights into who’s entering and exiting 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 Binghamton home security

Would you enjoy locking or unlocking your door remotely and establishing custom actions that operate your smart locks and other devices at the same time? It’s doable with Vivint. Contact (607) 600-9610 to learn more about our systems and let us help you design your own Binghamton smart home.