Are keypad door locks safe?

You like the idea of ditching your old house keys and moving to a modern smart lock, but you have concerns about safety. Are keypad door locks truly safer than the old-school locks they replace? The quick answer is yes. But before installing one with your Topeka smart home, there are a few things you should know.

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

The main issue with traditional locks is the requirement of a key. Keys are often lost and simple to copy, which leads to disaster if they end up in the wrong hands. Besides, older locks are easier to pick, bump, and force. Modern smart locks do away with keys completely. The models that offer a backup keyed lock usually use a more secure type of cylinder, so they can’t be circumvented by traditional methods.

Are there any concerns with keypad door locks?

Even though they’re generally safer than traditional locking systems, keypad door locks do carry some risks, like the following:

• Unauthorized code use: Codes need to be kept secure. It’s also smart to change them often and never use obvious codes like “1234.” If you have to give a person one-time access, you can set a code and then delete it once it’s been used.
  
  
• Hacking: System breaches are always a concern for electronic devices connected to your smart home. Offset the risk by updating apps, firmware, and passwords regularly. Integrate two-factor identification if possible.
  
  
• Technical glitches: Issues can come up due to a software bug, WiFi drop, or battery failure. As a general rule, vital local features like a PIN code still work even if your WiFi is offline, but you could lose app functionality. Smart locks with backup keyed systems can provide you with another way in.

Do smart locks still work during power failures?

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

Why choose Vivint smart locks for your Topeka home?

Vivint’s Kwikset smart locks work smoothly with other devices within your smart home environment. You can turn the lights on any time the door is unlocked, or configure a whole-home scene with many automations. To illustrate, you can arm your system, dim lighting, lock your door, and even adjust your thermostat all at once when you call it a day. The best part is that your locks and all your smart home components are fully accessible from the convenience of the Vivint app.

You’ll always be aware of who’s coming and going as Vivint systems track smart lock codes. You can also create up to 50 unique access codes.

Vivint is the key to your Topeka 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 at the same time? It’s possible with Vivint. Call (785) 369-9429 to explore our systems and get help designing your own Topeka smart home.