Home security systems have come a long way in the last several years. Today, you can secure your home and keep a visible watch over it even when you are away. Voice activation locks make it super convenient to manage your security even when your hands are not free. No doubt, our smart security systems far surpass old-fashioned systems. However, there are still some vulnerabilities to these systems that older systems simply did not encounter.
Smart systems are at risk of being hacked. Understanding where the vulnerabilities lie and how to safeguard against them will help you keep your home secured and safe 24/7.
Can My Home Security System Be Hacked?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is yes. Any type of smart device that is connected to the internet can in theory be hacked. However, the chances of your system actually being hacked are very slim. These chances are even further decreased if your security company has digital security best practices in place.
What Makes a Home Security System Easy to Hack?
You should understand that all systems are not equally vulnerable to hacking. There are certain factors that would make a system easier to hack than another system. Some of these factors are things you can control and some are things you cannot control. Let’s look at a few of these factors.
Missing or weak passwords. The passwords for a security system should be long and complicated. Although many people like to avoid using long, complicated passwords because they are difficult to remember, this is exactly what you want when it comes to your home’s security system. If you do not make the effort to create a secure password, you are creating a vulnerability for your system.
Missing authentication. A truly strong security system will have two-factor authentication. This means that along with a secure password, there will also be another authentication step that will further secure the system. This could be a passcode sent to connected devices or even fingerprints or facial recognition. A two-step authentication process is a good way to further secure your home.
Data breaches. A data breach at the company your system is run through could also create a vulnerability. If this happens, companies are required to inform you quickly so that you can create new authentication for your system.
Types of Hacking
There are different types of hacking that can take place. Hacking can include:
Blocking access
Gaining access through another device
Collecting data
Note that not all security system hacking is directly connected to gaining access to your home. Hackers may be even more interested in accessing your personal information or payment information through the company.
How Hacking Happens
Hacking can take place through a few different methods as well.
Phishing. Phishing is a type of account in which phony emails are sent to you requesting your authentication credentials. The email will appear to be legitimate but there will be small differences that can tip you off. Any time you receive a communication asking for authentication credentials, be sure to double-check the source of the email before responding.
Programing Hacking. This requires a hacker to gain full access to the system and is much harder to accomplish. This type of hack, however, can be more devastating as it pertains to data breaches.
You may be contemplating choosing the best smart lock for your home. This is something that many homeowners want to incorporate, and they want to get the best smart door locks in 2022 and protect their properties. However, if you have not seen smart door lock reviews, selecting the best smart lock for your home will be a challenge. So here are the smart locks to consider.
1. Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt
This is a good option if you are looking for a deadbolt to connect to your home Wi-Fi. It is also compatible with Amazon’s Alexa, which gives you the ability to lock and unlock your door using voice commands. The best thing about this smart lock is that it has a built-in alarm to notify you if someone tries to tamper with it.
2. Yale Assure Lock SL
The Yale Assure Lock has been considered a great option if you are looking for a smart lock that is easy to install. It also comes with various features, such as the ability to lock and unlock your door using your voice and the ability to see who is at your entry using the Yale app.
3. Kwikset Kevo Convert
This is a great brand if you are looking for a smart lock that is easy to install and use. It also comes with a variety of features, such as the ability to lock and unlock your door using your voice and the ability to see who is at your door using the Kwikset app.
4. August Smart Lock Pro + Connect
If you are looking for a smart lock that is easy to install and comes with various features, then the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect is a great option. It comes with the ability to connect to your home Wi-Fi and the ability to lock and unlock your door using your voice.
5. Nest X Yale Lock
The Nest X Yale Lock is a great choice if you are looking for a smart lock that is easy to install and use. It also comes with the ability to connect to your home Wi-Fi and the ability to see who is at your door using the Nest app. This smart lock also has a built-in alarm to notify you if someone tries to tamper with it.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best smart lock for your home, there are a few things you need to consider. First, you need to decide what features are important to you. For example, do you want a smart lock that is easy to install? Do you want a smart lock that is compatible with voice commands? Do you want a smart lock that has a built-in alarm? Once you know what features are important to you, you can narrow down your options and choose the best smart lock. Artie’s Lock and Key can assist you further in selecting the best smart lock for your home.
Replacing car keys can be a hassle and is not always easy. Some individuals even spend huge amounts of money as they look for alternatives. However, this process doesn’t have to be complicated. Using known and tried techniques, you can replace your car keys seamlessly. Here’s how to replace a keyfob.
Know the Type of Your Key Fob
The first step is knowing the type of your key fob. In this case, you need to see if it’s a standard car key or a transponder key. A standard car key is a metal key that has no extra features. On the other hand, a transponder key has an electronic chip that signals the car’s ignition, allowing it to start. Therefore, you need to know which type of key fob your vehicle uses before replacing it.
Get a New Key From the Car Dealership
If you have lost your car keys, damaged a key, or don’t have spares, the best place to get replacement keys is from the car dealership. In most cases, the car dealer will record the vehicle identification number (VIN) in their system. With this information, they can easily get you a new key that will match your car.
However, getting a new key from the dealership can be quite expensive. The good thing is that you can avoid this cost by following the other methods below.
Use a Locksmith
If you don’t want to get a new key from the dealership, you can use a locksmith. A locksmith is a professional who has the skills and tools to create new keys. You need to give them your car’s make, model, and year, and they will create a new key for you.
However, not all locksmiths are created equal. Some will make duplicate keys, while others will create new ones. You must find a reputable locksmith to avoid getting duped. You can ask your friends or family members for recommendations.
Get a New Key From the Car Manufacturer
Another option is to get a new key directly from the car manufacturer. This will be cheaper than getting one from the dealership in most cases. However, it might take some time before getting the new key. Your car manufacturer will first have to create a new key from scratch before sending it to you.
What Is the Cost of Replacing Car Keys?
As you already understand, the cost of replacing a car key will vary depending on the method you choose. If you decide to go to the dealership, you should expect to pay $100 and $250 for a new key. On the other hand, if you use a locksmith, you will only pay $50 and $100. This means that going to the dealership is more expensive than using a locksmith.
Conclusion
Replacing a car’s key is not as difficult as it may seem. With the right information, you can easily replace your car keys without spending much money. Use the methods above the next time you need to replace your car keys. Contact Artie’s Lock and Key if you’re looking for a professional locksmith in the Tampa, FL, area.
Install a fire door if you want to fireproof your home or business passively. These doors are specially made to prevent or slow down the spread of smoke or flames in case of a fire. They are made from gypsum, aluminum, timber and steel. Sometimes they come with ceramic or borosilicate windows, which are highly fire-resistant compared to regular glass, and fitted with anti-shuttering wire mesh.
The doors are fitted with flush frames, and any gaps are sealed with a silicon fire-resistant sealant to make them even more fireproof. An intumescent strip, which expands when heated, is fitted at the base to avert smoke from leaking underneath. The doors are also fitted with smoke seals to avoid the passage of smoke during the early stages of the fire.
What’s the Importance of a Fire Door?
For starters, fire doors limit the amount of oxygen available in the event of a fire, hence slowing down smoke and fire spread for a specific period. This gives you extra time to exit the building. However, fire doors aren’t entirely fireproof.
Fire doors come in different grades. The grades are based on how long the door can withstand fire. Most doors can last up to 30 minutes (FD30), 60 minutes (FD60), 90 minutes (FD 90) or 120 minutes (FD120). FD60 and FD30 are mainly used for residential and office buildings, while FD60 protects high-value buildings such as service centers and archives.
Most people pay more attention to the element of preventing fire spread and ignore the significance of the prevention of smoke inhalation. According to statistics, most people who die in fires do so due to smoke inhalation.
Fire doors also help protect personal assets and property while the firefighters are trying to combat the fire. They also act as shields for escape routes so that people can evacuate or be evacuated quickly.
Do I Need a Fire Door In My Flat Or House?
According to the state’s regulations, if you are renovating or building a home with three floors or more, you should have a fire door. These fire doors must be fitted in any habitable room next to a stairwell. This rule also applies to a loft conversion with an extra floor added to a two-story building.
Any door leading to an integral garage from your home must also be a fire door. An FD30 door is fit for this purpose. Since fire doors reduce fire spread, they can be fitted in high-risk areas such as the kitchen, boiler rooms or other areas with combustible materials.
If you have always wanted to know about fire doors, hopefully, you have learned what you needed to know. When properly installed and maintained, fire doors play a vital role in preventing fire and smoke spread, and saving lives. They are an integral part of developing a fire protection system and a vital requirement for most premises, including public buildings, residential homes, factories, and offices. However, they are not 100% fireproof, and therefore caution should be taken when handling combustible materials at all times at home or the place of business.
Whether steel, aluminum or wood, doors to business premises are more frequently used than homestead doors. This subjects them to regular wear, tear and damage. So, if you run a business and want to operate efficiently, you are probably wondering about the common door issues that you may encounter. Here are some of the most common commercial door problems and repairs.
What Repairs Should I Expect With Commercial Doors?
Warping Doors
Heat negatively affects doors made from materials, such as aluminum, steel or wood. Extreme heat may warp doors out of their original shape. In some cases, the doors may resume their original shape once the pressure or heat is removed. But in most cases, hot weather and extended heat production cause the doors to stay warped. If you are worried about this problem, you can always replace the traditional commercial doors with warp-resistant ones. This will help to reduce damage arising from heat warping. So, how do you know if your doors are warped? The best time to check is when the heat or sun is hottest.
Damaged or Worn Springs
Torsion springs allow doors to close and open with ease by ensuring the even distribution of the door’s weight. Therefore, lifting the door off the ground can prove troublesome if the springs are in bad condition. For most springs, the average lifespan is 10,000 cycles. But commercial doors’ torsion springs tend to wear faster due to heavy use. If the wear or damage escalates, it can have dire consequences. It may put the doors out of commission, and in a worst-case scenario, the doors may come crashing down. Thus, you should conduct regular spring inspections. If you hear squeaking sounds, it’s a sure indication that the springs need lubrication or replacement.
Sections and Panels That Are Dented or Worn
Sections and panels often get damaged due to being hit by heavy objects or vehicles. Since commercial doors are a series of interconnected parts, proper operation ceases if the panels and sections are damaged. Thus, depending on the severity of the damage, you might need to replace the dented or worn panels and sections. Failure to address the issues with these door parts may lead to misalignment. Consequently, opener track systems, rollers and tracks could become damaged.
Damage Resulting From High Traffic
The operational life of a commercial door is affected by the amount of traffic that goes through it. The wear and tear on parts, such as locks, hinges, closers and latches, increases with the amount of traffic. To minimize damage to these parts, you should ensure that the quality of materials used on door parts is solid. Also, you should have a hardware and door specialty contractor inspect and maintain them regularly.
"What’s wrong with my commercial door?" If this has been a constant question in your mind, you probably need to contact a professional door maintenance or repair contractor. Neglecting small issues on your commercial doors can prove fatal, especially if they lead to the crashing of the doors.
