Are keypad door locks safe?

You love the idea of ditching traditional house keys and switching to a modern smart locking system, but safety is still a concern. Are keypad door locks truly safer than the old-school locks they’re replacing? The quick reply is yes. But before installing one with your Las Cruces smart home, there are some things you should think about.

Why upgrading to a smart lock makes sense for your Las Cruces home

The biggest downside of traditional locks is the requirement of a key. Keys are often misplaced and easy to copy, which leads to disaster if they end up in the wrong hands. On top of that, older door locks are more vulnerable to bumping, forcing, and picking. Modern smart locks do away with keys altogether. The models that have a backup keyed lock usually use a different style of cylinder, making them resistant to established break-in methods.

Are there any risks with keypad door locks?

While they’re typically safer than traditional locking systems, keypad door locks do have some risks, including the following:

• Unauthorized code use: Codes must be kept confidential. It’s also smart to change them regularly and never use easy-to-guess codes like “1234.” If you have to give somebody single-time access, you can set a code and then eliminate it once it’s served its purpose.
  
  
• Hacking: Network breaches are always a concern for electronic devices bridged to your smart home. Reduce the risk by regularly updating apps, firmware, and passwords. Integrate two-factor identification whenever possible.
  
  
• Technical problems: A battery failure, WiFi disconnection, or software bug can cause problems. Generally speaking, vital local features like the keypad still work even if your WiFi is down, but you could lose app functionality. Models with backup keyed systems can offer another way in.

Do smart locks still function during power outages?

Yes, your smart lock should still work during a blackout as it is powered by batteries, not your home electricity. You can still use the keypad, Bluetooth, or biometric scanner, depending on what your system supports.

Why select Vivint smart locks for your Las Cruces home?

Vivint’s smart locks work smoothly with other equipment within your smart home ecosystem. You can set a rule to switch the lights on whenever the door is unlocked, or create a whole-home scene with many automations. For instance, you can dim lighting, lock your door, arm your system, and even adjust your thermostat at the same time when you go to bed. And you know what else? Your locks and all your smart home equipment is fully accessible from your phone in the Vivint app.

You’ll always know who’s exiting and entering as Vivint systems monitor the use of smart lock codes. You can also set as many as 50 unique access codes.

Vivint is the key to your Las Cruces home security

Would you enjoy unlocking or locking your door remotely and establishing custom actions that activate your smart locks and other components all at once? You can do it with Vivint. Contact (575) 567-8689 to explore our systems and start designing your own Las Cruces smart home.