Are keypad door locks safe?

You like the idea of ditching house keys and switching to a modern smart locking system, but you’re concerned about safety. Are keypad door locks truly safer than the old-school locks they’re replacing? The quick answer is yes. But before integrating one into your San Jose smart home, there are several things you should consider.

Why smart locks are the best option for your San Jose 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 into the wrong hands. Besides, older door locks are easier to force, pick, and bump. Modern smart locks do away with keys entirely. The ones that have a backup keyed system usually use a more secure style of cylinder, so they can’t be circumvented by traditional methods.

What are the risks of keypad door locks?

While they’re generally safer than older locking systems, keypad door locks do come with some risks, like the following:

• Unauthorized code usage: Codes must be kept confidential. It’s also wise to change them periodically and never use obvious codes like “1234.” If you have to give someone single-time access, you can configure a code and then delete it once it’s been used.
  
  
• Hacking: Cyber intrusions are always a hazard for electronic devices connected to your smart home. Mitigate the risk by regularly updating apps, firmware, and passwords. Incorporate two-factor identification if possible.
  
  
• Technical issues: A software bug, battery failure, or WiFi disconnection can cause problems. However, core local features like keypad entry still work even if your WiFi is not available, but you might lose app functionality. Models with backup keyed systems can offer another way in.

Do smart locks still work during a power outage?

Yes, your smart lock should still work when you lose power as it gets power from batteries, not your wired electricity. You’ll still be able to use the keypad, Bluetooth, or fingerprint scanner, depending on what your system uses.

Why Vivint smart locks are an excellent choice for your home

Vivint’s smart locks work seamlessly with other equipment within your smart home environment. You can set a rule to switch the lights on any time the door is opened, or configure a whole-home scene with many automations. To illustrate, you might fasten your door, arm your system, turn lights off, and even adjust your thermostat at the same time when you go to bed. The best part is that your locks and all your smart home devices are totally accessible from the convenience of the Vivint app.

You’ll always get insights into who’s coming and going as Vivint systems track smart lock codes. You can also assign up to 50 distinct access codes.

Vivint is the key to your San Jose smart home security

Would you like to lock and unlock your door remotely and incorporate custom actions that activate your smart locks and other equipment simultaneously? You can do it with Vivint. Call (408) 790-0318 to learn more about our systems and let us help you design your own San Jose smart home.