Kwikset happens to be a US based company that is highly noted for offering a wide variety of security products to its customers. Some of their most popular of these products is the line of re-programmable SmartKey locks that this firm provides. These particular locks have been certified to be grade 1 security locks that are specifically designed for residential homes utilization. This certification has been executed by the builders hardware manufacturer’s association. As such, Kwikset markets them as been totally immune to any hacking or tampering by wires and screwdrivers. Or for that matter virtually any other object which may be inserted into the keyways of these locks in an effort to unlock them. Resources: www.tigardlocksmith.org kwikset.com homedepot.com
What is the major selling point of Kwikset SmartKey locks?
The main appeal of this variety of key locks completely lies in the re-programmable cylinders they come with. This feature presents the user with the handy capability of re-programming them to work any key that may be introduced in them after the re-programming has been executed. This naturally means that landlords aren’t necessitated to physically replace locks whenever their tenants move out and new ones move in. At the same time, it can also provides secure temporary access for construction workers or anybody else who might need to gain entry into a house for a limited length of time.
In essence, the SmartKey lock from Kwikset is a 5 pins lock, which comes with 6 depth increments. It can be reprogrammed by inserting the original key into it, prior to inserting a tool into a specified slot on its face. Doing this shifts its assembly back at a distance of around 1/8 of an inch. This process separates the pins and sliders of this lock, which holds them apart from each other. When a new key is introduced into the lock, it then registers its impressions and effectively resets the relationship of the pins and sliders to seamlessly correspond with the new key.
Is the Kwikset SmartKey lock invulnerable?
Like earlier mentioned, kwikset boldly asserts that the SmartKey lock is extremely secure and therefore totally impenetrable to any device which may be introduced in its keyway. This, however, is not completely true. The fact still remains that this product comes with several vulnerabilities, which skilled hackers have been able to identify. Most of which make the Kwikset SmartKey lock less secure than what its maker would like consumers to think.
Just how to open a Kwikset SmartKey lock in 10 seconds
You may be probably very eager to discover just how you can easily unlock the Kwikset SmartKey lock in the given time span that the title of this paragraph states. Well, never fear. The following happens to be a step by step guide on just how to open a Kwikset key lock in 10 seconds which may come in very handy in executing such a task.
To begin with, you will be required to get your hand on a piece of thin, blank object that comes with a very sharp end. You will also need a paperclip or if for one reason or the other, this is not possible, a simple wire that has a looped end. A hammer will also be needed. With these three simplistic tools, you will be able to efficiently tackle any Kwikset SmartKey lock in just under ten seconds. It is critical for you to fully understand that these types of key locks have rotating tailpiece, which can move independently of the plug. This, in most circumstances, makes the function of a key almost superfluous.
First and foremost, get your hand on the blank object, and introduce it, with the sharp end first, into the keyway. Next, making use of the hammer, proceed to punch out the plug, which is found at the back of the plug. It is important to note that basically this plug is just a thin piece of metal, and hammering the blank, sharp object into the plug, pierces a hole into the lock’s tailpiece. After accomplishing this, introduce the paperclip or the thin wire with a looped end, into the tailpiece and proceed to turn it. Doing this will effortlessly enable you to effortlessly unlock the lock without any problem. Finally, it is important for to note that when all this accomplished, the SmartKey lock will not be in a position of been re-programmed again. Well, now you definitely know just how to open a Kwikset key lock in 10 seconds and in a completely stress-free manner.
For many homeowners, the level of security is often a priority selecting door locks. This is because selecting the right locks provides the best defense for their homes to prevent break-ins. The good news is that today’s locks are specially designed to offer much greater protection. However, because of the numerous brands and models available, it can be hard to determine which locks can provide the highest home security.
So, which locks provide the highest home security? Below are some of the highest grade security locks that will make you feel totally secure in your home. Resources: colombinelocksmith.com homedepot.com lowes.com
Deadbolt Locks
Deadbolt locks are highly recommended for use in residential doors as they provide the highest security level. These locks don’t contain springs, which explains the term “dead.”
There are two types of deadbolt locks: single-cylinder deadbolt and double-cylinder deadbolt. The single-cylinder deadbolt lock is usually operated by use of a key from the inside, and with a turn-button on the inside. The double-cylinder deadbolt lock is usually operated from the inside and the outside with a key. Most homeowners prefer double-cylinder deadbolt locks because burglars cannot break the glass to reach in and unlock the door. It offers double security. Be sure to purchase top brand deadbolt locks if you want the highest level of security in your home.
Keyless Locks
Many residential homes have keyless locks installed to provide highest security level and convenience. The lock has a special feature known as anti theft rolling code that ensures that a single code is not used twice. The advantage with this type of lock is that it’s compatible with garage door openers and home security systems.
You might also want to consider selecting this top security lock for your home.
Entry Locksets or Handlesets
Entry locksets/handlesets are usually combined with deadbolt locks for enhanced security. They feature two door knobs that are locked both from inside and the outside. One of the doorknobs is locked from inside by either depressing or turning a small button while the other doorknob must be unlocked with a key.
Mortise Locks
It’s common to find Mortise locks on many residential doors due to their advanced security level and convenience.
The lock features a flat and rectangular box that fits perfectly into the door’s recess from the edge and includes keyholes and two faceplates consisting of knobs. The deadbolt lock is operated by turning the inside knob while the latch is operated from both sides
New Lock Technologies
Some of the most advanced technologies in home security are the new smart locks featuring Bluetooth-enabled deadbolts, cameras, and finger scanners. Others support mobile apps that send you lock activities notifications on your Smartphone and also enable you to effectively manage the locks.
These locks are technically engineered to provide maximum security and for convenience.
Remember that locksets offer first line defense against intrusion and thus selecting the best is crucial. Be sure to purchase from reputable brands as you are guaranteed of having your home well secured. Also, choose a reputable locksmith for installation as the level of security is also increased when the locks are professionally installed.
We all dream of owning a home that reflects the way we would like to live. However, owning a home is one thing, and keeping it safe is another. You may spend a lot of time and money building your dream home and acquiring wealth, only for burglars to steal all you have gathered for a long time within a few minutes. It is thus very important to be prepared for burglary every day since thieves come into your house the day and time that you least expect. Here are a few great solutions for home security that can enhance the safety of your home, brought to us by the guys at www.greenwoodvillagelocksmith.com.
Common sense.
Most people think that getting the elaborate home security system that is inflexible and expensive is the ultimate solution to their security problems. However, this is not always the case. Burglars are opportunists; they take advantage of every little mistake that you make to break into your home. For this reason, deal with the common sense issues first before you can sign a contract with a home security provider. Specifically,
Lock all the doors whenever you are going out. Even the garage door should not be left open.
Don’t let everyone know that you are going out.
Ensure that all your doors are made of solid wood or metal. They should be strong at all times.
Befriend your neighbors. They will let you know or call the police on your behalf whenever they notice theft going on in your home.
Don’t keep all your eggs in one basket. Put your most precious valuables in different locations.
If you are going to be absent for a long time, let a trusted friend or neighbor pick your newspapers or mails, because if they pile, everybody will know that you are out. Alternatively, you can cancel the newspaper orders and let the post office keep your mail for you while you are away.
Keep pets
Pets can help you get rid of the security threats that you are facing. A barking dog, for example, will keep thieves away, because none of them wants to be bitten, leave alone being caught. There are some people who have managed to keep lions and other animals as pets, and they can all enhance the security of your home.
Be crafty
Sometimes you just have to be crafty to keep your house safe. Thieves are cowards, and anything that indicates that they can be easily caught is a put-off. Here are some crafty ideas that can keep thieves away from home.
Get a home security sign or sticker to make thieves think that your home is covered by a home security, even if it is not.
If you don’t have a dog, get the “BE AWARE OF BARKING DOGS” sign. No thief wants to be barked at because this increases the chances of being caught
If you cannot afford an original surveillance camera, get a fake one. It will serve the same function as the original one most of the times.
Whenever you leave, ensure that your home looks occupied. Leave the radio on, for instance. You may also use programmable timers to switch on the lights frequently while you are away, to give burglars the impression that the house is occupied. If you are going to be away for a long time, leave the security lights on.
Change the location of valuables frequently. You never know how well burglars know your home until they break into it. Therefore, avoid keeping valuables in the same location for a long time.
Change some habits
Some of our habits invite thieves to our own homes. For instance, if you like leaving your spare key hidden somewhere outside your home, you need to get rid of this habit. Don’t let hedges or trees overgrow, especially near windows.
Go professional
Do-it-yourself security measures are good for your safety, but sometimes you just have to go professional. Get a technician to install deadbolt locks on the interior and exterior walls, deadbolt strike plates and door jams, and eye-viewer in front and back doors. Choose programmable combination keypads for entry locks and add a track lock to sliding glass entry doors. Depending on the regulations of the local authorities, you may have to install a home security system.
Technology in home security.
It is also possible to keep thieves away from your home using technological easy-to-use devices. For instance, on top of installing the alarm system, you can install a video monitoring system or a surveillance camera to keep watch of any movements outside your home. Additionally, you can install exterior motion sensor flood lighting to ensure that no movement goes unnoticed. There are also security programs that are compatible with smartphones these days, and you can take advantage of them reduce the probability of your home being burglarized.
All in all, great solutions for home security entail a multifaceted approach that dissuades opportunists from stealing your property. You just have to be smart to keep your precious and irreplaceable belongings safe. Knowledge of basic security measures is not enough.
With all the personal gadgets and household appliances, whether it is phones or watches or refrigerators, becoming ‘smart’, it was only a matter of time before the humble lock went the same route. With the smart Kwikset Kevo lock, you get a taste of the future of home security systems.
Incorporating Bluetooth 4.0 technology, the deadbolt lock requires nothing more than a mere tap to unlock itself. For people who do not have a smartphone with Bluetooth 4.0 technology, the lock also offers a key fob to tap your way inside the home. However, purists need not frown as Kwikset Kevo retains the mechanical charm of a physical key as well. Among other nifty features, the Kwikset Kevo allows you to generate eKeys that you can forward to your friends or family members online, and they can use it to enter your apartment.
On the other hand, the nifty features and space age design of the smart Kwikset Kevo lock do not come cheap. Compared to regular deadbolts, a Kwikset kevo would cost you 6-8 times more. Is the steep price worth the functionality and enhanced security? Or is it all too gimmicky? Let us find out. Resources: North Glenn Locksmith Kwikset.com homedepot.com
How does it work?
Let us face it. Locks are meant to be unobtrusive devices that do not draw attention to themselves. In that sense, Kwikset Kevo does a commendable job despite its obvious cutting edge design. While it is sleek and elegant, it looks no different that any other deadbolt. It’s space age truly announce themselves once you tap upon it, as its ring shaped LED light will glow to decide whether or not to unlock itself.
The color coded LED lights are a clever design feature of the Kwikset Kevo, ensuring optimal security. The light would turn green once the smart deadbolt detects your smartphone or the key fob with you, allowing you access. If the smart deadbolt decides you are not standing in close proximity, the LED light would flash a magenta colored ring, indicating you to move further close and tap again.
The importance of the magenta LED light should not be dismissed as a gimmicky feature. The deadbolt would never flash the magenta light in the event you are inside your apartment. Why’s that important? This is because if magenta light were to go off, then anyone outside your house could tap the deadbolt to know you were present inside. That would be a clear and glaring privacy and a security flaw. The Kwikset Kevo is mighty impressive in not only anticipating this problem but cleverly eliminating it.
Smart lock app
The Kiwkset Kevo would not be half the smart lock it is without the app it comes with. It is through this app that you can generate eKeys to send over to your family and friends. There are several benefits of this eKey feature besides the fact that you do not have to be physically present to hand over the keys to someone. For example, the app allows you to see when someone entered and left your apartment.
In the case you are worried that you might have sent the eKey to someone you did not want entering your apartment, the app allows you to cancel it anytime you wish.
The app itself is fairly stylish and intuitive. All the icons and navigation is rather self explanatory and that makes it supremely handy to those among us who aren’t truly at ease with technology.
However, there are two sticking points with this lock. Firstly, the Kiwkset Kevo deadbolt is not internet enabled. Which means that you cannot use the app to lock or unlock the door for your friends or family. You have two options here, either be physically present or generate an eKey, which costs money. On the other hand, if your friends do not have a smartphone with Bluetooth 4.0, then even an eKey would not work.
Secondly, the Kwikset kevo only works with smartphones incorporating the Bluetooth 4.0 technology. Since a vast majority of Android devices do have this technology, a lot of them simply cannot avail of a lot of the features this lock offers.
Maintenance and battery life
The Kevo lock is powered up by four AA batteries that typically last a year. Once the batteries start running low, the deadbolt would flash a red light to let you know. You will also get notification through your app.
Loss of your phone and its misuse by others is a clear security risk, and, thankfully, makers of Kevo lock have provided against this. You can simply log on to their website, and delete your details online. You can also do this task physically.
For people who are long used to deadbolts costing no more than $30-40, the price of the Kevo would appear excessive. However, as mentioned above, the unique selling point of Kevo lock lies in the genuinely helpful ways it conveniences its owner. There is no doubt that with a kevo lock, your life would be both more convenient, and more secure. That is something we cannot put a price on!
What is Lock Bumping? Lock Bumping is a technique of picking a lock cylinder through the use of a specially cut key and a hammer or other striking device. The would be burglar inserts the key into the lock cylinder and then by using a significant amount of dexterity and skill he hits the bow of the key until it essentially picks all of the tumblers and he gains access.
Lock bumping creates a significant amount of noise for the perpetrator must repeatedly hit the bow of the key which is inserted into the lock mounted to the door. Thus, every time that the key is struck the sound reverberates throughout the house or building. Let’s face it, if the burglar is not concerned about making a raucous, then it would be both faster and easier just to pick up a rock and break a window.
Second, lock bumping is a lock picking technique thus it does take some amount of skill and practice to do it efficiently. If someone is motivated to pick locks by the use of a bump key they may as well just learn traditional picking techniques. In fact, do to the amount of noise that bumping produces it would be more prudent for a burglar to pick the lock, not bump it.
Lock bumping is a popular technique that you can use to open your lock if you lost your house keys. Here you need to insert a cut key into the lock and then bump it using a mallet or screwdriver. Doing this forces the pins in the lock to turn which results in an opening of the door.
Since it’s easy to access the bump core and the technique doesn’t require special skill, burglars usually use it to get access to your house. Due to the threat, it’s wise that you stop lock bumping in your house. Here are some of the ways in which you can stop hitting from taking place, thanks to the guys at southglennlocksmith.com:
Invest In a High-End Lock
Many people use cylinder locks which are very easy to bump. To keep your home safe, you should invest in a high-quality lock. High-end locks usually use complex locking mechanisms which make it tough for pumping to take place. One of the best locks that you should consider investing in is a slide-bolt lock.
Modify the Existing Locks
If you don’t have money to invest in new locks, you should ask a locksmith to help you in modifying the existing locks. Here you need to add additional pins into the locks. While this won’t make the locks immune to lock bumping, it makes the process more difficult which will repel most burglars.
Install a Home Security System
These are systems that detect when the door is opened. When the door is opened, the system will set off an alarm. In other cases, the system will let you or security authorities know that someone has accessed your building.
Add Chain Latches
If you don’t have the latches already, you should consider installing them. While the locks won’t affect the susceptibility of the lock to bumping, they add barrier which makes it hard for the thief to access your house.
Get a Dog
Burglars like doing their work unnoticed; therefore, when you have a dog, they will be afraid of getting into your house as they will be scared of the dog’s bark.
These are some of the ways in which you can prevent your locks from getting bumped. To ensure that you are safe if a thief accesses your home, you should review the insurance policy of your home and ensure that you will be covered in case of burglary.
The main appeal of this variety of key locks completely lies in the re-programmable cylinders they come with. This feature presents the user with the handy capability of re-programming them to work any key that may be introduced in them after the re-programming has been executed. This naturally means that landlords aren’t necessitated to physically replace locks whenever their tenants move out and new ones move in. At the same time, it can also provides secure temporary access for construction workers or anybody else who might need to gain entry into a house for a limited length of time.
You may be probably very eager to discover just how you can easily unlock the Kwikset SmartKey lock in the given time span that the title of this paragraph states. Well, never fear. The following happens to be a step by step guide on just how to open a Kwikset key lock in 10 seconds which may come in very handy in executing such a task.
Deadbolt locks are highly recommended for use in residential doors as they provide the highest security level. These locks don’t contain springs, which explains the term “dead.”
Many residential homes have keyless locks installed to provide highest security level and convenience. The lock has a special feature known as anti theft rolling code that ensures that a single code is not used twice. The advantage with this type of lock is that it’s compatible with garage door openers and home security systems.
Some of the most advanced technologies in home security are the new smart locks featuring Bluetooth-enabled deadbolts, cameras, and finger scanners. Others support mobile apps that send you lock activities notifications on your Smartphone and also enable you to effectively manage the locks.
Do-it-yourself security measures are good for your safety, but sometimes you just have to go professional. Get a technician to install deadbolt locks on the interior and exterior walls, deadbolt strike plates and door jams, and eye-viewer in front and back doors. Choose programmable combination keypads for entry locks and add a track lock to sliding glass entry doors. Depending on the regulations of the local authorities, you may have to install a home security system.
Let us face it. Locks are meant to be unobtrusive devices that do not draw attention to themselves. In that sense, Kwikset Kevo does a commendable job despite its obvious cutting edge design. While it is sleek and elegant, it looks no different that any other deadbolt. It’s space age truly announce themselves once you tap upon it, as its ring shaped LED light will glow to decide whether or not to unlock itself.
The Kiwkset Kevo would not be half the smart lock it is without the app it comes with. It is through this app that you can generate eKeys to send over to your family and friends. There are several benefits of this eKey feature besides the fact that you do not have to be physically present to hand over the keys to someone. For example, the app allows you to see when someone entered and left your apartment.
Many people use 
Burglars like doing their work unnoticed; therefore, when you have a dog, they will be afraid of getting into your house as they will be scared of the dog’s bark.