Bluetooth Door Lock
A Bluetooth door lock is a perfect solution for homeowners who don’t want to use traditional keys. It connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth and can be controlled through an app.
This smart door lock offers multiple keyless entry options, including proximity unlocking, remote unlocking with your smartphone, custom code numbers and voice commands. It also allows you to set up temporary virtual keys that operate only at certain times.
Security
Bluetooth is a wireless protocol that lets you connect all your electronic devices, including your smartphone, speakers, Alexa, car and smart locks. The problem is that hackers can take advantage of well-known security vulnerabilities related to Bluetooth to break into your home or other devices connected to it.
Many smart locks use Bluetooth technology, allowing you to unlock your door with your smartphone and view entry and exit logs on your device. Some smart locks even allow you to unlock with voice commands or touch or fingerprint recognition.
While you can be more secure using other protocols, such as Z-Wave or WiFi, Bluetooth is still an important technology to look for in your smart lock. It’s easy to set up and is powerful enough for most smart locks.
Unlike other communication technologies that can be hacked with a computer, Bluetooth is wireless and a bit more difficult to hack. It also uses encryption, mostly 128-bit AES to secure the data being sent and received between your lock and your smartphone.
A security researcher named Anthony Rose said in a 2016 blog post that he and his colleague Ben Ramsey tested 16 different Bluetooth-enabled locks, and found that they were susceptible to exploits that allowed them to open the doors without any authentication. They discovered that a majority of locks sent passwords in plaintext, and even if they used sophisticated encryption techniques, Rose said, there was a way to intercept the data and change it without the user knowing.
In fact, he and his partner were able to break into some locks with as little as $10 in hardware and software. They uncovered vulnerabilities with brands Quicklock, iBlulock, Plantraco, Ceomate, Elecycle, Vians and Okidokey.
For instance, they discovered that four of the locks they tested transmitted their user passwords in plaintext. They also found that two of them sent their passwords twice, making it easy for a $100 Bluetooth sniffer to extract them and change them.
Thankfully, most smart locks are encrypted, and a good number use 128-bit AES. That makes them harder password door lock to hack, and there are also security measures that are built into the Bluetooth network itself that ensure only authorized ‘nodes’ can inject traffic.
Convenience
Bluetooth door locks are great for people who want to get rid of their keys but still keep a close eye on their home. These locks connect with your smartphone and allow you to lock or unlock the door remotely. They can also be used to track comings and goings inside your home or to alert you if someone is in the neighborhood.
Smart locks are becoming more popular due to their convenience and security benefits. They let you lock and unlock your door from anywhere with an internet connection and most come with built-in voice control features through assistants like Siri or Alexa.
Some models even allow you to open the door using a code on your smartphone, making them easier to use if you’re in a pinch or have forgotten your key. If you have a lot of friends and family members visiting, it can be useful to give them access to your house without having to carry a set of keys with you.
While Wi-Fi is the most common type of smart lock protocol, Bluetooth is also gaining popularity as it’s less expensive and requires a less invasive installation process. You can also install a Bluetooth lock as a do-it-yourself upgrade, as you’ll simply replace your existing lock with the new one and then install the required app on your phone.
However, a drawback to Bluetooth is that it only works when your phone and lock are within range of each other. This can be a problem if you have to unlock your door from a distance or if you forget to check your phone’s battery level before leaving the house.
A more secure and reliable option is a Z-Wave lock, which connects to a smart hub through Z-wave radio. It’s compatible with many smart home hubs, but it does require a Z-wave hub and a gateway device. This means you’ll need to buy a few other items to complete the setup.
If you’re not worried about range, Bluetooth locks are an excellent choice for your home, especially if you want to save on power costs. They also don’t need to be installed directly on your door, so they’re a good choice for people who aren’t willing to spend the time and money required to make their home a fully-integrated smart home.
Battery Life
A bluetooth door lock is an advanced security and convenience technology that uses wireless communication to open your home’s door remotely. It works with your smartphone, key fob, and smartwatch to let you know who is outside and validates that the user is authorized with an active virtual key.
Bluetooth is a common protocol for smart locks as it doesn’t require an internet connection to work and has lower power requirements than Wi-Fi. It also typically offers a longer battery life, allowing you to keep your lock connected for up to a year or more with normal use.
The battery life of a smart lock depends on the type of wireless connection it uses, how often you use it, and what features are enabled. For example, smart locks that use Wi-Fi will drain their batteries faster as they constantly try to maintain their connection with your network and/or smart home system.
If you don’t want your battery to die quickly, check the battery level on a regular basis. If you see that it’s running low, change the batteries and charge them if possible to get more time out of them.
Another way to increase your lock’s battery life is to turn off any unnecessary features. For instance, if your lock has an auto-lock feature, disable it to save energy and prevent the battery from draining fast.
Similarly, it’s important to disable any lights that your lock might have, such as LED lights that flash when the door is locked or unlocked. These lights can be a handy feature, but they will drain your battery more quickly than a lock without them.
In addition, make sure that you’re using a good quality battery when charging your smart lock to avoid damage and shortening its battery life. Using an inferior battery will increase the risk of the battery bulging and leakage, which can reduce its ability to store chemical energy and convert it into electricity.
In general, a well-functioning smart lock is built to last a long time and will alert you when it’s time to replace the batteries or recharge them. However, the battery’s lifetime depends on many factors, such as the location and type of your lock, the number of times it’s used per day, the quality of the battery, and how the batteries are charged.
Installation
If you’re looking for a way to keep track of who enters and exits your home, or you want to add smart-home functionality to an existing lock, a Bluetooth door lock is a great option. You can connect your lock to your smartphone using an app, password door lock and some smart locks even allow you to unlock the door with voice commands.
Wi-Fi connectivity is a common feature for smart locks, and it allows you to control the lock from anywhere. It also allows you to view a list of entry and exit logs that will show who’s been in or out of your home at any given time.
Bluetooth, on the other hand, is less powerful in terms of bandwidth and power consumption. However, it offers more range than Wi-Fi, and it can function without a network hack. That said, it’s less secure than Wi-Fi.
It’s important to note that you should only buy a Bluetooth lock if your network is secure enough that no one can hack it remotely. Many smart locks will use end-to-end encryption to keep data between the lock, your phone, and any corresponding hub secure.
Installing a smart lock is easy, and it can be done by anyone with basic DIY skills. First, you’ll need to remove the old lock and insert the new one into the door frame.
Next, you’ll need to install the ribbon cable that connects the lock to the interior side of the door. Most smart locks come with a mounting plate, which you can slide into the bottom opening of the lock. Then, you’ll need to insert two longer screws that come with the lock into these holes.
You can then hang the new lock on the mounting plate. To ensure it doesn’t fall out, place a strip of tape on the front side of the lock. You can find this at your local hardware store.
Once you’ve installed the lock, you’ll need to program it. Depending on the model, this may include downloading an app, registering an email address, sending a verification code, and accessing your network. After you’ve completed these tasks, you’ll be ready to start using your new smart lock!