http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/ Engadget Comments for The Lockdown: Locked, but maybe secure (part 2) http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.abloy.com) locks that are considered much more secure than pin tumbler locks. As far as I know, the most efficient known method of attacking a rotating-barrel lock is crafting a makeshift key from a bar of some soft metal that is inserted into the lock, rotated and then filed at points that have been in contact with the rotating rings inside the lock barrel. As it might sound, this takes considerable time and effort.

(Disclaimer: I'm not an expert – I just read stuff, such as http://www.toool.nl/abloy.pdf.)]]>Mar 19th 2007 9:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/
Security systems are a complete joke, but only because people don't use them, or use them and set them off, or pay no attention to them when they go off. I lived on a city street a while back and hard the car-alarm song memorized. The police take plenty of time to show up at a building whose alarm has gone off more than a few times in the last year.

So the solution? We always said you just needed to look harder to get into, and less attractive, than your neighbor (granted, installing locks was how I made money, and all). Drive down the street -- case your house and your neighbors' -- if yours doesn't look hard to get into, then it's time for some upgrades.]]>Mar 19th 2007 9:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/Mar 20th 2007 12:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/
Car alarms are a completely different animal than home security systems. A home security system is not about the siren; it really doesn't matter if neighbors ignore it.

You are right that many municipalities will purposely downgrade the response to a home that is known for false alarms. But that's not really a damnation of security systems in general; it's a damnation of faulty installations. Like anything else, a security system needs to be installed properly to work effectively.

My county, like many others across the US, helps ensure this by issuing security system licenses. You technically cannot operate a security system that automatically dials the police without a license. They will come to your house anyway, but they will actually issue you a citation if it's a false alarm and you don't have a license.

I've had my security system for a year (GE Simon 3) and have never had a false alarm, even with a cat running around (I have motion sensors). I also never forget to turn it on because it just turns on with a key fob; turning it on is just part of my regular routine of locking the door. All modern security systems can be used the same way.

Security is all about layers. There's no magic bullet. I look at all these stories (especially during the bump key hysteria a while back) and wonder what people think the intent of a lock actually is. Locks are not intended to turn your house into a fortified castle - there are many other ways to get into your house if a criminal truly wants to. Locks are intended to make it more difficult for criminals, and to keep honest people honest. Most burglaries start with an unlocked door or window.

Good exterior lighting, deadbolts on all your doors (however good they are), working locks on all your windows and a decent and properly installed security system that's used dilligently will be basically 100% effective at keeping all intruders out of your house. If you're still paranoid at that point, you may as well just live in an underground bomb shelter for the rest of your life.
]]>Mar 20th 2007 7:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/Mar 19th 2007 10:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/Mar 19th 2007 10:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/
1- When they film the movie about how the slick, professional, European terrorists try to break into your home, they will need to shoot a scene where the charismatic leader has to recruit some autistic genius who is the only one of 3 people on the planet with the ability to pick the kind of locks you have on the front door to your home. Have a character mumble something about "These are the same locks the CIA uses on the doors to the room where they keep nuclear launch codes" or something similar. The key to this lock should look menacing, high tech and just downright evil.

2- The lock that is still overkill, but not AS overkill as number one listed above. It should still look evil though.

3- Good enough to keep every crack smoker who watched the YouTube videos about bumping out of your house, but not so amazing that the European terrorists outlined in #1 above would have too much trouble. The lock that most prudent people would install on their front door.

Speaking of #1, where can someone get some EVVA MCS action here in the US?]]>Mar 19th 2007 10:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/Mar 19th 2007 11:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/Mar 19th 2007 11:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/Mar 20th 2007 12:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/
Right? ;-)

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/22/digital-fingerprint-door-lock-defeated-by-photocopied-print/
]]>Mar 19th 2007 11:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/
There are new technology standards that have been released for traditional card readers called Government Smart Card FIPS201 (Federal Information Processing Standards) that proves to be much more secure than any card encryption to date. Check out the leader in proximity card technology, HID www.hidcorp.com, for greater detail. Also, check out MIFARE and DESFire technologies.]]>Mar 19th 2007 11:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/
While I think the brief article is interesting, the fact is most law enforcement agencies (FBI, DHS, local police, etc) do not understand how security works or even how to implement it. The reason is simple; it is not a necessary entity to be a law enforcement officer. Also, the markets between IT and Security have been merging at ever rapid pace for the past few years and now it commonly takes a network administrator to manage a security system.

In regards to residential security, a more secure lock maybe more affective against a burglar attempting to pick the lock, however I have never run into a client that had an incident like that. Most residential burglaries are via a crowbar, breaking a window, or even entering through an open window. While someone previously commented that most fail to even turn on the alarm system is true, but that nice window or door decal stating that you have an alarm is deterrent enough for the burglar to choose your neighbor instead.

Check out the ISC West convention in Las Vegas at the end of this month to see the latest and greatest in all ranges of security - from simple residential burglar alarms to facial recognition video analytics software. Also check out the ASIS show, which I believe is also in Las Vegas this year.
]]>Mar 19th 2007 11:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/Jul 23rd 2007 9:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/
Sure, it seems scary to think that your lock can be easily compromised, but unless you have secure doors, plexiglass windows or window bars, AND you remember to always lock the door, the lock is the least worry for a burglar.]]>Mar 20th 2007 1:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT5QMzF60EE

This key is absolutely not safe, the security items on it and on the MT5 are just for shifting the users.]]>Mar 20th 2007 5:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/Mar 20th 2007 6:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/
They don't know that information because law enforcement does not report it or track it in the reports, it's just like they don't track idiot users on cell phones getting into a wreck or killing someone while they were on the phone.]]>Mar 20th 2007 7:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/

i believe that there actually is one. it's called a .45 ACP ;)]]>Mar 23rd 2007 2:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/Mar 20th 2007 8:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/

]]>Mar 20th 2007 8:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/Mar 20th 2007 10:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/
My own security system is the best that money can buy: I live in a neighborhood where everyone knows and looks out for each other, where several neighbors are home during the day and can keep an eye on things, and where everyone feels as safe outdoors as in-. Granted, the price of a house in such a neighborhood is a bit more than most are willing to spend for good security, but security was about the last thing on our minds when we moved in.]]>Mar 20th 2007 11:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/
So we went with the Kwikset because it was cheap and easy to install. Yes, I'd be just as pissed off as the next guy if my crap was stolen but at least by buying a cheap lock set I have saved money towards my next computer. ]]>Mar 20th 2007 12:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/
One German Shepard and one Alaskan Malamute. Did you watch the Mythbusters dog episode? I guarantee the guy is going next door to the ANSI unbreakable lock, and just breaking the damn window!]]>Mar 20th 2007 1:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/]]>Mar 20th 2007 3:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/19/the-lockdown-locked-but-maybe-secure-part-2/:)
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