Question

There are two things a person shall never ever do in terms of home Automation. Door locks and cameras in children's rooms.  

Answer 1

Meh. Smart locks means our doors are locked more often now than earlier. And we never forget to lock because they automatically does so themselves. Like others have said, if people wants to get in bad enough they'll just break a window or chainsaw thru a wall. Insurance company is happy enough with them offering same discount as they do for top of the line deadbolts. As for cameras. If you run non-cloud connected cameras there is NO issue. If you run cloud-cams from a reputable company which encrypts traffic and you use a secure, UNIQUE, password, there is almost NO issue. If you use a $10 Chinese knock-off camera with monkey123 as the password, well, you deserve whatever you get. Also, if you're paranoid enough to not want smartlocks or cameras, you should really get rid of your smartphone and Facebook account as well, because they are much more invasive.  

Comments

@alvey Smith a few things. What are your credentials in terms of hacking and/or security? Everything is hackable, but what people are generally talking about is when it comes to indoor cameras are "they can see my naked kids and/or wife from thousands of miles away". The truth of the matter is, if you use proper gear, no they can not. Could MI5 or Scotland Yard spy on you using your local-access only cameras, sure they could, but. Tinfoil alert. Wi-Fi isn't easily hackable. Well, if you take the router out of the box, plug it in and leave it, sure, it may very well be, but spend a few minutes setting it up properly and it's safe enough for most everything. In terms of locks. The locks I use, Yale, are neither Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled. They are connected using an encrypted protocol to a local "bridge" which is connected to my LAN. My LAN in turn is sectioned so only some devices can communicate with select other devices. And how do you go about turning them off when you go on holiday? There is no keyhole on the locks I use, they are fully digital replacements. You [un]lock them using a 6+ digit code, NFC tag or whatever smarthome platform you utilize. I'd say they are even more secure than regular locks with keys as the locksmiths are unable to open your door without breaking shit.  

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@alvey Smith stubborn and single-minded? Wow. Going straight to insults are we, not even going to attempt to show me these easily hackable products you speak of? Uh Kay.  

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When your security advice is "go watch x on YouTube", you have no valid argument.  

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@alvey Smith i know of Samy's work. We're from the same circles. And like I said, anything can be hacked, but there is a big difference between being targeted and simply hit by a "drive-by" hack. If you're being targeted there isn't much you can do apart from disconnecting and going off grid. If you're hit by a drive-by there are so many precautions you can (and should) take that will stop a would-be intruder in their tracks. And condescending/rude? Really. Again with the name calling.  

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LOL. He blocked me. Way to go dude. Real. Mature and that's how you teach'em. Geez.  

Answer 2

Interesting. Makes sense. Thoughts on garage door openers? Is that same as door locks?  

Comments

I think garage door openers are a so/so situation. smart door locks don't really matter IMO. thieves don't care about what kind of lock you have, lock's only as secure as the frame it's in and the amount of accessible windows available garage door openers are fine so long as they're not being operated based on presence, same with (exposed) locks.  

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@skateboard2 so I don't automate my garage door opening, but I do have a automation to close it everynight at a specific time and want a sensor to alert if it's open

Answer 3

People put cameras in kids rooms all the time. They are called baby monitors!  

Answer 4

I think door looks and garage doors are safe. No camera's inside

Comments

@sixpack I'd love to hear more about this. Brand of camera and how you're turning them off.  

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@sixpack how long do the cameras take to re join the network and are ready to record? 10sec, a min, 5min? Sounds like a relatively good setup. I'm using Arlo, not connected to ST, and VLANd off. Been thinking about how to pull cameras in together and like the idea of keeping Arlo outside and outside ST but adding a few interior cameras.  

Answer 5

Properly vlan'd network segregating your iot from the rest of the network is highly recommended. Don't expose your network to the Internet. Use your head =)

Answer 6

What’s wrong with auto door locks? Time or presence? I have a problem with auto garage open or close.  

Comments

I'd never base a door lock or garage door on a presence sensor. They are way too unreliable. All you'd need is for some phone glitch to register you as home. garage door opens. you have no idea. bad. I DO have both smart locks AND garage door openers tied to Smartthings, but not to presence sensors.  

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Same, @nonstandard, but I have zero issue with auto door *locks* based on time or presence.  

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@mustard41577 Fair enough. I guess to be clear, I do have the locks LOCK when I'm detected as away, just in case I've forgotten (but they auto lock after 10 minutes anyway so it's not "likely" to happen) but I'd just never unlock them based on presence. I guess if you have perfect luck with presence detectors it would be okay. I just haven't. :-)

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I agree strongly with not putting a garage door AND garage opener on presence in tandem. especially with how unreliable presence is. but i'm ok with putting my garage door on presence for unlock as the garage opener will be closed until i physically open it.  

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@nonstandard my door locks and garage door are automated. They close and lock at specified times but never open on presence.  

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@nonstandard That's why you set the automation so that it only works when the system is in away or home mode. When it's in night mode, the automation for auto unlock won't fire even if someone arrives. Pretty easy to overcome issues.  

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You phone GPS will not erroneously report as changing to home when it's not. Any error will likely be poor accuracy or update frequency. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Phone location isn't as simple as just GPS though. It uses WiFi too, as I found out when I moved house (taking my router with me) and Google Maps used to leap to my old address whenever I arrived home. Took weeks to update.  

Answer 7

People once were like OMG moving vehicles too. Can you imagine?  

Answer 8

I believe the OP was stating no door locks on kids rooms.  

Comments

@skateboard2 McKinley what, not what I meant. I mean front and back door smart locks, you know access to. your home

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@heinrike6802 that may not be what you meant but that is how you wrote it.  

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@skateboard2 I can see how it could sound the way you took it but I took it the way he meant it.  

Answer 9

Door lock comment kills me everytime lol. no thief is going to take the time to hack a door they can easily kick through and/or around. you guys give thieves too much credit. if they have that kind of talent, they'd make more money working a 9-5 than selling anything they'd find in my house. with none of the risk.  

Comments

Exactly locks only keep honest people out.  

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I just find it funny that people feel safer with a normal dumb lock. i've kicked in a door with a normal dumb lock. didn't do much to stop me.  

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If you wanna really get scared, Go to YouTube and look up "bump keys". Unlock almost *ANY* consumer grade lock in under 2 seconds. NO skill required.!  

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@cath63 yep. And at least a smart Lock would let you know it was unlocked (if u set that up). That said my smart locks don't even have a key.  

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This is also why layered security is important if you actually want security. Get an alarm system, pay for professional monitoring and set up CCTV cameras.  

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A simple strike plate where the pressure of a kick usually goes, much longer screws, uprated lock surround and frame upgrade helps a lot. Cameras are usually deterrent enough for opportunistic thieves. Anyone who still comes through a door with those simple upgrades would be easily identified as ‘one of the really bad ones’, and then you have last-resort means.  

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Based on the above I'm not sure why you bother with locks at all?  

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@gunn2 Brightman to keep the casual "is this door unlocked" thief out. Same as most of the world with a normal lock. A door lock is not something that's going to stop a determined thief on it's own.  

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With euro cylinder locks, snapping is a big issue especially with lazy fitters who have just thrown a long cylinder in. Having no cylinder outside is a big plus.  

Answer 10

The lack of an Oxford comma confuses me.  

Comments

Oxford comma requires a minimum of 3 list items. :-)

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@nonstandard Walken comma then?  

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@cath63 , Shatner, comma.  

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@jannajannelert King Come on, lets eat mom and dad!  

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I think its optional now but I still use it!  

Answer 11

Stupidest statement I seen in 2020

Answer 12

You’re wrong on both. Yes they’ve both been hacked, but usually due to user error In not securing them. We’ve had locks and cameras in babies room. All secured. Doors do not Auto Unlock, but can from an app. They also lock during certain events. I’ve got routine that locks them every night in case we forget.  

Comments

My door lock automatically locks at 2am. Or when you tell Alexa "Good Night".  

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@cath63 I’ve tried the good night routine with Alexa but she tells me can’t do that with a lock. I need to look into that further.  

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My Schlage lock works through Alarm. com and Alexa in my goodnight routine

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@steadfast find out from the lock maker if the skill can perform that function.  

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I agree with you. Most of the hacked cameras still use the factory passwords. Change all passwords and user names too. "Admin" is way too easy of a guess. We've had cameras in kids rooms for 5 years with no issues. I even check the logs once in a while to make sure. We also have auto lock and unlock doors with no issues. The worst thing you can do home automation wise is be stupid.  

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My doors unlock with smoke detection. I like that feature. When I was still riding a motorcycle, my garage door opened when I arrived via a presence sensor.  

Answer 13

Put a big speaker against the window and play "Alexa unlock the doors" and "ok Google unlock the doors" An easy, low tech way to hack "smart" locks. VLANs, network segregation separate SSID and as much encryption as you like will not help if the locks are attached to services outside the house.  

Comments

You will still need to provide the pin code to alexa to unlock. Plus alexa does not accept passwords/pin codes. moral of the story, alexa cannot unlock the door which is locked with a pin code

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@jaimeejaimes your "unlock the doors" won't work. Not unless you know the pin to unlock. Might want to look up how smartlocks work.  

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@jaimeejaimes not true. Google won't unlock a lock it open a garage door, and Alexa requires a pin to do so

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All smart locks default to requiring the user to specifically allow remote unlocking; My Alexa will not unlock my door unless I give it a code. And you will never guess my 6 to 64 digit alpha-numeric-special character, code. And after 3 failed attempts, the door lock refuses access for 15 minutes. so, good luck getting access to my door lock.  

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Nothing going on here guys!  

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@wintertide fair enough, I was commenting based on old info. I appreciate all of you keeping me honest.  

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Alexa will arm my security system and lock my front door, but Alexa will not unlock or disarm my security system.  

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@jaimeejaimes Alexa does not execute an unlock command unless the device is protected by a pin.  

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@lonna wrong. mine can. It asks for a pin, I provide the code and the lock unlocks

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And Google assistant can unlock a door without a pin or anything if its hooked up to IFTTT and told to do so

Answer 14

@heinrike6802 Why there shall never ever comment. People have different views on thing, they do thing that they think is benefical to them.  

Comments

@@cath63 for real buddy?  

Answer 15

Door locks are fine, steer towards zigbee or zwave devices that connect to a hub. Cams in the house are fine in most cases, too. It's just important to secure your network properly and you're good to go.  

Answer 16

We’ve thought about putting a camera facing our bed.  

Comments

@belomancy  

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@belomancy Dennis approves lol

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@belomancy Hey Google, start live stream to <insert live streaming service> now.  

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Gotta give the hackers something that is worth the effort. Could you imagine hacking a video feed and only watching an empty backyard?  

Answer 17

I'd be more concerned with anything that listens - no Alexa here!  

Comments

@gunn2 Brightman you think your phone doesn’t listen  

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@nonstandardny Ho duh! That’s why I already said I worry about Siri!  

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If alexa is always listening, how come does my router show no traffic?  

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That's exactly why I don't have Alexa, I don't want googe to listen into my house

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@sammy what are you using to interrogate your WAN traffic to confirm your claim that Alexa (and others) are always transmitting recorded voice data? Please show us your evidence or slip silently away into the depths of the internet amongst all the crazy talk.  

Answer 18

Hmm Smart locks on all doors and Camera in kids playroom. Oh well.  

Answer 19

If someone wants to get into your house. They will do it! Most criminal activity happens because we leave a door open and people just go around checking doors. They do it casual and quite often. An E-lock will get you a peace of mind if you want to make sure you left the house locked. This “smart systems” are dumb in the wrong irresponsible hands

Comments

The Yale lock fixed that problem years ago!  

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@excavator locks are for honest people. You are correct.  

Answer 20

While we’re at it, let’s get rid of electricity. It’s pretty unsafe.  

Answer 21

I’m cool with door locks and garage doors. A bad guy can only take advantage of those if they are physically there. (Possible, but incredibly unlikely unless you’re in a bad part of town. ) A hacked camera — totally different case. But I’m cool with those to a limited degree. Exterior, very limited interior.  

Answer 22

They way my system is set up, if the system is armed at night, even if someone legitimately has a key, or if they get the door unlocked by any other means except the master code, the alarm will go off if the door is opened. MUCH more secure than a dumb lock.  

Answer 23

Why? Normal old-fashioned door locks can be defeated in thirty seconds by kids that have watched a YouTube video. People see my kids all the time and it has never harmed them.  

Answer 24

A neighbor of mine told me the other day that he could hear me talking on my cordless phone though his baby monitor. Without missing a beat I said, Frank, (name changed to protect the innocent) I don’t have a cordless phone, but I do sometimes stand in your kids room and talk.  

Comments

@extended back in the analog days, this happened all the time.  

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@extended time to buy some modern tech.  

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Now do the one about bike locks!  

Answer 25

People think they are more important then they are. No one is hacking your cams, unless you have something to offer or fail to take the most basic security measures. And smart locks? At least my door is locked more then it was before. Someone wants to break in, they will find a way. Locks keep honest people out.  

Comments

@jannajannel Higgins furthermore, smart locks could let my family, friends, or even myself get inside when I forgot my key.  

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Thieves kick the door down or go through a window.  

Answer 26

Okay so a standard deadbolts or double deadbolt is on same playing field as automated door locks for secondary entry. All that is needed is rock or tire iron on glass windows. Standard plan B for criminals wanting to enter a home. I don't have one yet but there is a use case for one that I have been contemplating. Very low priority because I am retired and home most of the time. If I have to be away from home but need to let a home repair worker in for some type of urgent situation or family member that I know is coming before I can get home. I wouldn't change my standard deadbolts at the front or back doors. I keep the current deadbolt that's on the door from home into garage and add a second lock that is automated. When I know in advance that someone needs in while I am away I would just leave the standard deadbolt unlocked on the door with automated lock. The door would be secure just one lock engaged. Then when they arrive I can open vehicle garage door remotely and then the automated door lock. As for cameras inside I can monitor what they do and where they go in the house. No children as we are empty nesters so not an issue to be concerned about.  

Comments

@christlike Bonar you don't have to have two deadbolts for this. There are smart locks that work with existing d eadbolts. The trick is the door knob lock.  

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@cath63 yes seen them not a fan.  

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@christlike Bonar Mine works great. There is no modification to the door or deadbolt what-so-ever. In fact, there are no tools required. You take the smartlock, unpeel the sticky tape and stick it to the door over the dead-bolt. That's it. If Ayou want to move it to another door, or even take it on vacation to use in your hotel, just pull it off the tape and restick it on another door. It fits all deadbolts including ones that only use a key on the inside. The two batteries last more than a year of use several times every day. And it is geo-fenced so as I pull up the street to my house, it begins the process of unlocking the deadbolt. The Alexa functionality is a bonus!  

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@cath63 just don't care for the look aesthetically

Answer 27

I like the smart locks as when my system is armed it will text me if it is unlocked or if the system is disarmed, it will message me if I leave proximity and the door isnt locked, I can unlock and disarm remotely if need by for a kid/family member who needs to enter. There are many benefits of a smartlock.  

Answer 28

Nonsense ! Door locks work perfectly fine

Answer 29

Nanny state again

Answer 30

Nobody is gonna tell me what I shall never do. Well, unless it's a court order . but even that is debatable I suppose

Answer 31

My issue on the garage closing at specified time (if left open) is getting home late at night and not thinking about it while unloading the car with the back hatch open. That happened to me on my 3rd garage which doesn’t house a car. It took me a sec to remember I do have that one to auto close. However on both of my garages I get notified multiple times if left open through the garage opener app. I even have ST text me if it’s left open an hour.  

Answer 32

I have my door lock setup to lock on presence, as a backup, in case I forget to lock it manually. And lock at 9 pm.  

Answer 33

My door lock means I can unlock the door by voice for rescue services if I ever need them. My front door won't be broken down. My "I've fallen and can't get up" service is "Alexa call 911". If someone wants in bad enough they can get in by breaking any of my 1st floor windows.  

Answer 34

Alexa will ask for a code to be spoken with locks. Can't just say "open locks".  

Answer 35

Never is always hilarious. Love my Schlage Connect  

Answer 36

Guilty and Guilty. And. of course. a few weeks ago somebody hacked my cameras. They were clearly moving around the camera in my son's room, but luckily only actually spoke to the nanny. To all those that say nobody cares enough to hack your cameras, this is what I said and we are both wrong.  

Comments

Were you still using the admin login and/or password? Did you have the camera exposed to the internet? Important info to share if they were hacked so people know what to look out for. Sorry to hear that happened.  

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Yes please share how they were hacked.  

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Interested to know as well. My cameras are only visible inside my firewall which I access with a VPN. I also change all the login credentials.  

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Remember, it's only a hack if they are abusing some kind of vulnerability. Logging in with factory default usernames/passwords or very weak passwords does not a hack make  

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@eboni5119athan Bartlett Im waiting to here this story also. I had open ports on my router for cameras. I was getting three to four notifications a day about somone attempting to get into them with wrong password. I closed all my ports on router and started using VPN tunnel. No more issues. If your not using good strong usernames and passwords, then you’re going to get hacked.  

Answer 37

Done and done and much safer with both

Answer 38

It's naive to think your standard deadbolt is any more secure than a smart lock. If the bad guy wants in your house he's coming in.  

Comments

@blayze24 Smith rock, paper, scissors. No just rock and windows easy access

Answer 39

Non-cloud connected cameras indoors like UniFi Protect is perfectly fine if you secure it properly.