Dunwoody GA Locksmith: The Benefits of a Keyless Entry System

These days, many businesses and homeowners are reaping the benefits of the newest keyless entry systems. As security technologies continue to evolve, keyless security has become something that’s widely available and much more affordable. Many of these will grant you access to a property using a special swipe card or electronic fob, instead of your standard keys. Of course, not all of these systems are created equal, and some of them will diverge greatly in pricing and sophistication. But there are numerous options to choose from these days: from coded systems right up to fingerprint scanners and CCTV-controlled monitoring.

As with any security innovation, a keyless entry system comes with many benefits. Here are just some of the things that have made these a popular choice for property owners all over the world:

No more keys! 

We’ll start with the obvious point first. With a keyless entry system, you won’t need to stress over losing your keys, having them fall into the wrong hands, or having to constantly fumble around to find the right key for your lock. You may have heard the sage advice of always rekeying your locks when you move into a new home – with a keyless system, all you need to do is set up a new code. Easy as that!

Higher deterrence 

Petty thieves are looking for a quick haul. They want to get into a property, get their loot, and get out. A keyless system makes this much harder for them – if they were wanting access to a property, they would need to learn how to hack your security mechanisms. Even a tech-savvy criminal knows this would take up much valuable time – and that they would likely be caught in the act doing so (remember what we said about CCTV footage?). In short, breaking into a keyless entry system is too much of a hassle to your average burglar, and that is enough of a deterrent on its own.

Easy to install and use 

Keyless technologies are designed to be quite intuitive. Once you have installed one of these systems into your home or business building, all you need to do is set up your combination and get monitoring. If you have a high influx of people coming in and out of your property, or you would like to have a separate code that someone else can use, that is pretty easy to do as well. In fact, one of the great advantages of a keyless system – especially for businesses – is that you can add or delete people’s access to it as you wish.

Provides real-time monitoring 

Not only through camera surveillance, but through live logging of which keys or codes have been used and when. That way, you will know who has entered and exited your home or commercial property at any given day or time. If anything goes amiss, all you have to do is go back through your records to identify who might be responsible for your troubles.

Gives you more control over property access 

One of main issues with lost keys is that you will likely need to rekey your locks in order to be sure no one is able to enter the property without your knowledge. Likewise, keys can be easily copied and given away – to your neighbor, employees who shouldn’t have access to specific areas and so on. Especially in latter case, a keyless system makes it easier to impose restrictions – you can have a master code for managers, and access cards for personnel confined to their designated work areas. Some systems even allow a master user to provide people with remote access to their property – so if someone loses their code, or needs access outside business hours, this can be done without much effort.

 

As you can see, there are so many benefits that come with state of the art keyless technologies. Think this is the best choice for you? Then make sure to read our final recommendations

How can I get one of these systems for myself?

Simple! Whether you are wanting to upgrade your residential or commercial security, a qualified locksmith will help you find the best keyless system for your property. They will be able to tell you the pros and cons of each option available, and will install these for you effortlessly. What’s more, if you need help setting up your code and monitoring your systems, they will gladly explain how everything works.

If you need a few pointers about selecting a good locksmith, here’s what you need to do:

• Be sure that you are hiring a local professional with a fully verifiable address. Locksmiths outside your area will charge extra for mileage and some scammers will list fake addresses to trick people into digging deep into their pockets. Never hire a business you can’t trace a physical address back to, as this is a huge red flag.
• Get a few recommendations from family, neighbors, friends, or anyone else you know and trust. Referrals are the best way to glean a business’s reputation. Jot down a couple of business names and call each one of them to ask about the options they have available.

• On that note: check whether your chosen locksmith business actually offers the services you are looking for. Some lock and key operations may only focus on residential assistance, others just automotive, and a handful may provide you with a fully-inclusive set of solutions. Make sure to clarify this first before going any further.
• Other things to ask the person you are talking to on the phone: information about licensing and insurance, client references in the area, how long the business has been in operation, and a full cost breakdown of the options you have selected.

Are you a homeowner or business owner in Dunwoody, GA? Consider discussing some of the options our licensed and insured professionals can deliver. Dunwoody GA Locksmith is a local operation that ticks all the right boxes – be it credentials or access to some of the latest keyless technologies.

No matter where you live, or what type of property you own, a keyless system is always a great investment. As you can see, these can bring a great deal of peace of mind over all aspects of security – from controlling who can access your property to the simplicity that comes from no longer needing to rely on multiple keys. We hope we have helped you get thinking about your next security upgrade!

Article source here: Dunwoody GA Locksmith: The Benefits of a Keyless Entry System

How Do I Hire An Effective Locksmith

When you have to depend on the services of a locksmith in Dunwoody, GA, might think that it will be hard to find one that is actually effective. To find a reputable and reliable locksmith like Dunwoody GA Locksmith isn’t as difficult as you might think it is when you know what to look for. Getting the most from your experience with a locksmith requires you to do some research. This is well-worth the effort if you do not wish to waste your money or time with someone who can’t handle the job. Don’t jump at the first locksmith that says they can address your service needs simply because they offered you the help at a price you couldn’t refuse. There are service providers who will promise you the earth, moon and stars and not deliver. This doesn’t justify getting low cost service if they can’t effectively handle the job. That is why it is important that you find out as much about a particular service provider upfront prior to hiring them to assist you with your lock or key needs.

Here a couple of helpful suggestions on finding an effective locksmith in your area.

The Quote

Whenever you ask a locksmith if they can provide you with a written quote and they refuse, run! Often this is because they are attempting to charge you what they want based on their needs. You should never have to force a locksmith to provide you with a written quote. Be on the lookout for those locksmith services who will give you one quote and then change the quote upon arrival. If this occurs, you can simply let them know that that was not the initial price quoted to you and that you will find someone who honors their quotes. Get several different quotes and go with the one that you feel is best locksmith suited for the job.

Trustworthy & Reputable

Doing your research might involve asking others about their experiences with locksmith providers in the area. Most people are helpful in this regard. They don’t mind sharing information about the service provider whether the experience is good or bad. It makes it easier to decide if you will go with a particular service provider or not based on other peoples experiences with them. Check out the many reputable online review sites to find out what other customers are saying about the services they have received. If someone is taking the time to write a review, this means they either had a really good experience or a really bad experience. Either way, you’ll be able to get a good idea of the type of service offered by a specific locksmith in Dunwoody.

Qualifications & Affiliations

A professional locksmith services is usually associate with several professional locksmith associations or organizations. By qualifying to be a part of these groups, it shows that the service provider is serious about their craft and that they want to be able to provide their customers with a good experience. They make sure that they are keeping up with the latest technology to ensure a more efficient service experience. Some of these groups make it very difficult to be a part of but those who are serious about being associated with a professional trade group will do whatever it takes.

Time Doing Business

It is usually a very good sign if a company has been around for a long time. Just because a locksmith service is family owned doesn’t mean that it is a good service. If a service provider has been in business for a long time, this means that there is something that they are doing right. It doesn’t matter if they are family owned and operated or not. This is often told to customers in an attempt to win their business but shouldn’t be used as a basis for hiring a locksmith. Those who take over the family business may lack the knowledge or understanding of how to effectively do business or the job. This would be totally counterproductive for you.

References

Getting referrals is a great way to get your hands on a good service provider. However, you still need to be careful. Now days you can’t just let anyone come inside your home who is recommended to you. The person providing you with the recommendation must be someone who is discerning and trustworthy. A close friend or family member, who isn’t going to get some type of kickback, is a great place to start. Never be reluctant to ask the locksmith service that you are considering if they would be able to provide you with references. Those who are eager to do so are confident in what will be said about their services. This is a great sign that they are an effective service provider.

Credentials

Again, you can’t let just anybody in your home and that is why it is always best to ask for the credentials of a service provider before doing so. Get a copy of the services business license or certifications that they may have. If they cannot provide proof of their business, this probably isn’t the place you want to do business with. If they are reputable, they will often provide this information without hesitation. Some may say that they can get this information online. While this is true, the objective is to see just how forthcoming they will be in offering you the requested information.

Look at ID

Even after getting all of the above information, you still need to make sure that the person coming to perform the job is whom the service provider you contacted sent. Prior to letting them inside your home, ask them to show you id. They might have on a uniform with the company name on it but may no longer work for the company, therefore, it might even be a good idea to ask for the name of the locksmith they are sending to your home.

Article source here: How Do I Hire An Effective Locksmith

Various Kinds of Locks

Locks and keys go together like bread and butter, car and driver, and tea and honey. Even small children understand that locks protect the things that are important to us. Humans have used locks for thousands of years to protect their possessions from theft, harm, and misuse. As far back as ancient Babylon people have used locks to protect treasure, personal belongings, tribute, and even goods for the gods. Today, thousands of years later, we use locks for the same reason; to protect our property and our valuables and to gain privacy for ourselves and our families. Our modern day locks range from basic lock tumblers and keys, all the way to advanced fingerprint technology and chip encoded identity badges that allow us to enter buildings and can track our whereabouts at all times. Here at Dunwoody GA Locksmith we specialize in all kinds of locks and lock technology including these examples:

Deadbolt Locks

Most homes today have a deadbolt installed on the front door for added security. Even the best deadbolts are affordable and easy to buy and install. They provide peace of mind as well as a welcome second layer of protection. Here in Dunwoody, GA like most places in the country, burglars want fast and easy access to your property and once they get past your door locks they don’t want to have to bypass your deadbolt, as well. Usually they will give up and move on to another property or quit the burglary attempt completely, out of frustration. Having a deadbolt buys you additional time to arm yourself and/or to call for help. Deadbolts for residential and commercial use are readily available in single and double cylinder models from most locksmith shops and hardware stores. Be sure to ask your favorite Dunwoody, GA locksmith professionals for additional details on these handy and very helpful locks

Padlocks

We’ve all used padlocks! If you’ve ever locked a shed, storage room or bicycle, you’ve used a padlock. Padlocks are portable and removable so you can use them in dozens of ways to protect many forms of property. They are very inexpensive and can be purchased online or in local stores. Padlocks can be opened with a simple key or by using a combination sequence. Padlocks can be tiny, as in the case of locking a diary or jewelry box. They are much larger and more durable when locking a warehouse or industrial garage door. Using a key is a simpler form of locking your padlock as you don’t have to remember a key code or combination. One drawback of the tiny padlocks is that they are very easy to open using a screwdriver or a simple hammer.

Mortise Locks

The mortise lock is most often used in residential front doors. Mortise means “recess” and these locks are recessed inside the door frame as opposed to being mounted on the surface of the door. Your door needs to be at least 2 inches thick in order to install these. You can open one of these locks from the inside by simply turning to handle. You can lock them from the outside by using your key and then pulling down on the latch. Often these locks are hard to install yourself so we recommend that you call a local residential locksmith like our shop for help. These locks are generally more secure and much stronger than typical cylinder locks and are very hard to open by burglars. The latest studies show that most crooks tend to give up if the lock is not picked open in the first 30 seconds of the crime.

Cam Locks 

You can find cam locks on low level security items like lock boxes, mailboxes, and file cabinets. These locks use a small tail piece that is made of metal. This tail piece moves in and out of a slot by turning the key. Keys can rotate either clockwise or counter clockwise to lock. As we mentioned, these are used as low level security protection. They are very affordable and easy to change, or install yourself.

 

 

Keyless Locks

Just like the name says, these locks do not use keys. They are used at home and at businesses. With keyless locks you never have to worry about lost or forgotten keys or broken-off keys as they are simply not used at all. Instead a keypad is used with a number sequence entered. Also, you can use fingerprint lock technology in place of physical keys. Keypads are becoming more popular as the key code or combination can be changed any time needed. Think about it; if someone in your family or business has given out your code or combination you don’t need new locks. Just change your key code! Modern keyless locks are also made to sound an alarm if one or more incorrect entries is made into the keypad. This keeps burglars from standing outside your door trying one code after another!

Knob Locks

These are usually residential locks and can be found on front doors or interior doors they have a rotatable knob on one side and a key cylinder on the other side. Iff you use knob locks on your front door or back door they should always be used with a deadbolt as its relatively easy to take a hammer and simply smash the knob while using a pair of pliers to disengage the inside mechanism. These knob locks are very easy to pick open and here at Dunwoody GA Locksmith we don’t recommended them for home use unless you add additional hardware.

High Security Locks

Our Dunwoody GA Locksmith experts recommend high security locks as they offer the ultimate in lock protection and security. They can protect both your home and your business. They are often called pick-proof locks. Unlike standard common locks that are usually made of hollow tin, high security locks are made of solid brass. They use an interlocking bolt that is impossible to force open with a screwdriver or even with a crowbar! High security locks also have steel inserts that are strategically placed in the lock to prevent a burglar from drilling it open. The entire lock is also secured with a metal cover that prevents objects from being slipped between the lock and the door in order to manipulate it open. You can’t drill, pick, or even bump open a high security lock! Surprisingly, they are easy to afford and come with guarantees and warranty protection.

Article source here: Various Kinds of Locks

DID YOU LOSE YOUR TRANSPONDER KEY? HERE’S WHAT TO DO!

Since the nineties, losing one’s car keys has grown a lot more complicated than it used to be in the old days. Back before computer chips, you could easily just get a spare key made at any hardware store or locksmith, or at the dealership. A basic car key, with its distinctive cuts and grooves, used to be just like a house key, simple to copy for just a few bucks.

The disadvantage of this sort of car key, of course, was that because it wasn’t difficult to copy, it was also relatively easy for a car thief to steal your automobile. Because of today’s advances in transponder key technology, vehicles are much more difficult to steal. For sure, a transponder key for your car, even though it costs more, is worth the peace of mind it allows you to have.

 

What kind of transponder key have you lost?

Inside the key’s plastic head, a transponder key has a transponder chip, which sends out a unique signal, which goes to a receiver in your car, telling it to start up. The basic difference between a standard key and a transponder key is that the chip in the transponder key has to be programmed. For most vehicles today, an electronic key fob (also referred to as a remote) is an integral part of your key set. At all times, it’s essential to safeguard your transponder key, because, depending on the automaker and the complexity level of its design, the replacement of your electronic fob can be pretty expensive. First of all, the fob must be programmed properly. A few dealerships will do this for you free of charge, but most will charge you quite a lot.

For some types of vehicles, the transponder key and the fob are one unit. Also known as a laser-cut key, the shank is a little bit thicker and has fewer carved-out grooves. Laser-cut keys are sometimes referred to as sidewinder keys, because of the winding-shaped cut on the shank. The laser-cut key’s built-in transponder chip has to be programmed. In that case, it will be harder to get a spare key made anywhere except at the dealership. Again, although it’s more expensive, at least this fact means that your car is much more secure.

A switchblade key is another kind of key that has a transponder chip inside. A switchblade key has a shank, which folds into the fob whenever it’s not in use. You press a button and it pops out. This sort of key has either a laser cut or a basic cut. One advantage of the switchblade key is that you can buy its parts separately. If you have lost your key entirely, obviously you’ll have to program both components.

A smart key is not actually a key in the traditional sense of the word. This key is actually just a fob. You either insert into the dash, or you keep in on your belt buckle, pocket, or purse. As you get into the driver’s seat, you can turn the car on and off just by pressing a button. A smart key is highly secure, because it has rolling security codes. That is, it’s continually randomizing the correct code, an amazing feature which prevents a potential car thief from hacking it with a code grabber. Your dealership can replace your smart key.

 

Do it yourself.

One low-cost measure you can take to allow access to your vehicle is that you can order the basic key only, without the transmitter. This key will do everything else, except it won’t start up the engine. This will come in handy if you ever lock your car keys inside your automobile.

There is also the element of programming for remote unlocking and locking. This feature is usually viewed as a luxury, since it’s not actually vital for you to be able to gain entry and drive your vehicle; but you can program this part yourself, or you can hire a professional automotive locksmith to do it for you.

 

Always keep a spare key.

Are you constantly losing your keys, and arguing with your spouse or your teenager about who lost whose keys? Save money on transponder key programming by making a third spare key. If you already have two keys, many automobile makes and models will permit you to program a third key on your own. You can ask a professional locksmith to cut the third key for you, and then you can follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to program it yourself.

The following 3-step procedure works on many American-made vehicles. But before spending anything, first check with your dealership or with a local automotive locksmith technician to see if it will actually work with your car. If you are in Dunwoody, Georgia, consult with an automotive locksmith specialist, such as the mobile technicians on staff at Dunwoody GA Locksmith.

1. First, insert one of your two working keys, and turn the ignition to the “on” position for at least 3 seconds (without starting the car).
2. Second, do the same with your second key.
3. Third, insert the new third key, and again turn it to the “on” position for another 3 seconds. This will effectively program your extra key.

 

Be sure not to lose your transponder key again!

Any way you slice it, a transponder key isn’t cheap. So the best defense against losing it again is to prepare ahead of time. Do you currently have only one set of keys? It’s so much better to have a backup spare key made now, than to stress out about it later, when you’ll end up spending a lot more money than you wanted to, in what is likely to be an urgent situation. So don’t tempt fate.

Wherever you choose to program your transponder key, you’ll require:

• your vehicle’s chassis number
• proof that you’re the real owner, with 2 forms of ID
• the unique code from the automobile manufacturer’s original code card, which came with the vehicle

If you don’t have that code, there are automotive locksmiths who can do some reprogramming to get you back on the road again. Oftentimes, a dependable professional will be qualified to assist you, and typically at a lower cost than what the dealership would charge.

Article source here: DID YOU LOSE YOUR TRANSPONDER KEY? HERE’S WHAT TO DO!

Access Control – What you need to know

With newer technologies come better opportunities to safeguard all properties. Protection from intruders and theft are always on demand, and the latest innovations make the whole process effortless. Anyone in Dunwoody, GA (or anywhere in the country), can benefit from a state of the art safety addition like an access control system. In in recent years, access control has found a surge in popularity in both residential and commercial sectors because it is such a reliable mechanism when it comes to restricting all forms of unauthorized entry.

These are so well-regarded that you will find them in apartment complexes, homes, businesses, schools, hospitals among many other buildings with a large amount of foot traffic.

Is an access control system the best choice for your property? At Dunwoody GA Locksmith, we certainly think so. Find out for yourself by learning more about the type of security that these systems have to offer. Read on as we go through everything you need to know about this great home protection asset.

First things first: What is access control?

If you’ve heard about these technologies but you are not sure what it entails, then this section is for you.

Access controls are there to regulate property admission. Typically, the “access point” in which you will find these systems is a door – having said that, access controls can be installed in other physical barriers like parking gates and elevators too.

Basically, with an access control system installed, only authorized users can enter a property. They are granted access either electronically, or via an operator. For a bit of extra security, some access control systems may also be integrated with CCTV surveillance systems.

What benefits do these bring to my property?

Apart from letting you manage who can enter or exit your property, access control systems come with many added security benefits. In brief, here are just a few of them:

1. Access control systems don’t require physical keys, so you never have to stress over carrying multiple keys around and having these get lost when you need them the most.

1. Similarly, because there are no physical keys, you never need to change your locks to adapt to your changing needs. Lost key cards can be removed from a database and a new one can be issued without any troubles. For businesses, if an employee leaves your company you can delete their access codes within seconds.

1. Duplicating an electronic access control key is extremely difficult, meaning that your business or home will be well-protected from intruders.

1. Access control systems are customizable. You can grant someone as much or as little access to a property as you see fit – for instance, you can use the system restrict access to your commercial building after business hours.

1. No matter where you are, you can provide remote access to a property with your access control system. So if your child is locked out of your home while you’re still in the office or an employee needs access to your commercial building after hours, you could grant them access remotely.

1. Knowing exactly who is coming in and out of your property also means you get the full security benefits of history logging. Not sure what that means? We can explain. Every time someone accesses your property, it will be recorded electronically for you to review. This could be an invaluable feature when investigating any incidences of theft or vandalism as you will have a traceable record who was in your property and when.

Getting to the specifics: different types of access control

All access controls have their own special reader and credential systems. These often come in the form of a key fob, pin code or swipe card.

Commonalities aside, access control systems come in various types. Choosing the right one for your property will depend entirely on the type of protection that you are looking for.

To give you an idea, here are just some of the most popular access control systems you will encounter a day to day basis:

• Card readers
• Mechanical push buttons
• Digital locks
• Biometric fingerprint readers
• Magnetic door locks
• Security barriers
• Large metal gates
• And many, many others

How can I choose the best access control system?

That’s where the advice of a licensed and insured locksmith will come in handy.

You see, a great locksmith service provider will have worked extensively with access control systems. That means they are very familiar with the different options available, the pros and cons that come with each of them, and the best security match for various types of properties.

A professional local lock and security provider should be able to offer guidance, advice and resources that you need to make a confident investment. Many businesses offer free consultations for all customers so they can fully inform them about all of the available services. You just need to make an appointment with a crew of experts to discuss some of the security installation options that are available. Once you have selected the type of access control system you are looking for, experts will provide you with a full price quote for all of their services.

Happy with our advice? Great! Reach out to a lock and security expert in your area, as they will schedule a convenient time to come to your property to install everything for you. Within a few minutes, you will have an access control system completely set up and ready to go. Our team, if you are local, can even show you how everything works so that you can confidently create your combination and regain full control of your property protection.

With the latest access control technologies, all Dunwoody, GA, properties are guaranteed to be protected. Affordable solutions are well within all property owners’ reach, and our locksmiths could help you find your ideal access control choice.

Article source here: Access Control – What you need to know

Smart door locks, fitness bands, home security cameras, oh my! 5 tips for consumers to protect themselves

Because of technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), our lives are different today than they once were and better, as a result, in so many ways.  We live in an age where one no longer needs a key to enter his/her home. Effortlessly, we can recount to our friends how many miles we have walked and calories we have burned. And we no longer have to be present to turn the lights on or off at home.

However, along with the technological advances come new unchartered waters. The same technology that makes it all possible also comes with security and privacy-related imperfections. Just as thieves could enter your home after finding the key hidden under the doormat, there are often technological ways for modern-day thieves to do the same.

Below are five practical security and privacy tips for consumers of IoT technology including fitness bands, smart home door locks, and the like:

For wearers of fitness bands, disable Bluetooth outside the home.

Because eavesdropping by others within about 100 yards may be possible, turn off Bluetooth while you are out walking, jogging and running. Turn it back on when you return home thereby allowing the fitness band to sync the data it collected with your phone.

If you are using public WiFi, don’t use your smartphone to control your home settings.

Imagine you are sitting in the airport using the free WiFi as you head out on vacation. You want to check to make sure you closed the garage door and then want to schedule when to turn your home’s lights on and off. It would be safer to switch off WiFi and use your carrier’s cellular network to do so.

For users of electronic locking systems, learn how to disable keys associated with your smart phone in case of loss or theft.

Just realized your wife lost her phone? Hopefully the maker of your door lock provides a way for you to disable the key to the front door such as by logging into its website from another device and disabling the electronic key linked to the lost device.

If the device came with a “default” password, PIN, or key code, change it.

Devices often provide default usernames, passwords, PINs, key codes, etc.  Change these as soon as you are able.  When thieves and hackers try to attack you they begin with these “low hanging fruit” before attempting more complex attacks. Would be hackers and thieves may give up and look for someone easier to attack than you.

Do your homework.

Make sure you research whether the IoT device you are purchasing offers security protections.

For more tips, just visit Smart door locks, fitness bands, home security cameras, oh my! 5 tips for consumers to protect themselves page.

Article source here: Smart door locks, fitness bands, home security cameras, oh my! 5 tips for consumers to protect themselves

Smart door locks, fitness bands, home security cameras, oh my! 5 tips for consumers to protect themselves

Because of technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), our lives are different today than they once were and better, as a result, in so many ways.  We live in an age where one no longer needs a key to enter his/her home. Effortlessly, we can recount to our friends how many miles we have walked and calories we have burned. And we no longer have to be present to turn the lights on or off at home.

However, along with the technological advances come new unchartered waters. The same technology that makes it all possible also comes with security and privacy-related imperfections. Just as thieves could enter your home after finding the key hidden under the doormat, there are often technological ways for modern-day thieves to do the same.

Below are five practical security and privacy tips for consumers of IoT technology including fitness bands, smart home door locks, and the like:

For wearers of fitness bands, disable Bluetooth outside the home.

Because eavesdropping by others within about 100 yards may be possible, turn off Bluetooth while you are out walking, jogging and running. Turn it back on when you return home thereby allowing the fitness band to sync the data it collected with your phone.

If you are using public WiFi, don’t use your smartphone to control your home settings.

Imagine you are sitting in the airport using the free WiFi as you head out on vacation. You want to check to make sure you closed the garage door and then want to schedule when to turn your home’s lights on and off. It would be safer to switch off WiFi and use your carrier’s cellular network to do so.

For users of electronic locking systems, learn how to disable keys associated with your smart phone in case of loss or theft.

Just realized your wife lost her phone? Hopefully the maker of your door lock provides a way for you to disable the key to the front door such as by logging into its website from another device and disabling the electronic key linked to the lost device.

If the device came with a “default” password, PIN, or key code, change it.

Devices often provide default usernames, passwords, PINs, key codes, etc.  Change these as soon as you are able.  When thieves and hackers try to attack you they begin with these “low hanging fruit” before attempting more complex attacks. Would be hackers and thieves may give up and look for someone easier to attack than you.

Do your homework.

Make sure you research whether the IoT device you are purchasing offers security protections.

For more tips, just visit Smart door locks, fitness bands, home security cameras, oh my! 5 tips for consumers to protect themselves page.