Are keypad door locks safe?

You are drawn to the idea of eliminating house keys and switching to a modern smart lock, but safety is still a worry. Are keypad door locks truly safer than the old-school locks they replace? The quick response is yes. But before installing one with your San Francisco smart home, there are some things you should consider.

Why upgrading to a smart lock makes sense for your San Francisco home

The biggest downside of traditional locks is having to rely on a key. Keys are frequently misplaced and easy to copy, which can be a real problem if they end up in the wrong hands. In addition, older door locks are easier to force, pick, and bump. Modern smart locks do away with keys entirely. The models that have a backup keyed system frequently use a different type of cylinder, making them resistant to traditional break-in methods.

Are there any concerns with keypad door locks?

Although generally safer than older locking systems, keypad door locks do have some risks, like the following:

• Unauthorized code entry: Codes must be kept confidential. It’s also smart to update them regularly and never use obvious codes like “1234.” If you need to give somebody one-time access, you can create a code and then remove it once it’s been used.
  
  
• Hacking: Network breaches are always a risk to electronic devices connected to your smart home. Mitigate the risk by frequently updating firmware, apps, and passwords. Integrate two-factor identification whenever you can.
  
  
• Technical problems: A battery failure, WiFi disconnection, or software bug can cause issues. However, essential local features like keypad entry still work even when your WiFi is offline, but you may lose access to the smartphone app. Smart options with backup keyed systems can provide you with another way in.

Do smart locks still operate during power outages?

Yes, your smart lock should still operate during a blackout as it is powered by batteries, not your wired electricity. You can still use the keypad, fingerprint scanner, or Bluetooth, based on what your system supports.

Why Vivint smart locks are a smart choice for your home

Vivint’s Kwikset smart locks work smoothly with other devices within your smart home ecosystem. You can set a rule to switch the lights on whenever the door is unlocked, or establish a whole-home scene with several automations. To illustrate, you can dim lighting, fasten your door, arm your system, and even change your thermostat all at once when you call it a day. And you know what else? Your locks and all your smart home devices are completely accessible from your phone in the Vivint app.

You’ll always get insights into who’s exiting and entering as Vivint systems keep track of smart lock codes. You can also set as many as 50 distinct access codes.

Vivint is the key to your San Francisco home security

Would you enjoy locking or unlocking your door remotely and designing custom actions that engage your smart locks and other components all at once? It’s possible with Vivint. Contact (415) 969-9484 to find out more about our systems and get help designing your own San Francisco smart home.