USB-authenticated deadbolt lock promises to only let geeks pass

Sure you can go crazy and drop a few hundred bucks on a high-tech door lock, or you can follow the lead of the folks from Makers Local 256 and build this USB-authenticated deadbolt, which should set you back just $60 -- or no doubt less if you can scavenge up some spare parts. The setup is based on Arduino's slightly lesser known cousin the Freeduino, and effectively turns any standard USB thumb drive into a key, which can be just as easily lost or misplaced as a regular key but not as easily duplicated. What's more, it's not the data on the drive that gets read by the lock, but rather the serial number on a chip, which leaves the rest of the drive free for you to use as you please. Head on past the break to check it out in action.

[Shinigami @ Oct 24th 2008 1:56PM]

So basically anyone with my flash drive can enter my house? Wow, thanks but no thanks.

[Cumquat @ Oct 24th 2008 1:58PM]

Sure just the same anyone with your key can enter your house. No difference.

[EvilEmperor @ Oct 24th 2008 2:00PM]

Basically anyone with your house key can enter your house, that's the same.

[16-bit @ Oct 24th 2008 2:02PM]

"What's more, it's not the data on the drive that gets read by the lock, but rather the serial number on a chip"

[tom @ Oct 24th 2008 3:01PM]

Wow, i can so see burgulars trespassing the house with a computer thru USB connection, and not the traditional break-in tools (ie, sledgehammer, lock picking...)

[KAIKAI @ Oct 24th 2008 3:50PM]

or i could just kick the door down.....

[Loban @ Oct 24th 2008 4:01PM]

@ KAIKAI

Do you know how difficult it is to kick down a door with a locked deadbolt? By the time you actually get it down, everyone within 100 yards is going to know something is going on.

[__smooth__ @ Oct 24th 2008 3:57PM]

uuhhhh.... why not just go around the door?

[konshuss @ Oct 24th 2008 3:58PM]

so how do you make dupes? can you have multiple chips with the same info in case you lose the key?

"Hi, locksmith? er... do you know anything about computers?"

[Ignatius @ Oct 24th 2008 4:46PM]

No one has obviously seen Mythbusters. After 3 tries, Jamie ripped the locks out of their frames, using only his shoulder and a quick run. Your solid wood door wouldn't stand a chance against someone hellbent in getting into your house.

[Basic @ Oct 24th 2008 6:41PM]

Only anyone who has the ability to change the serial number of their USB devices.

No thanks, I would rather actually use a cryptographically strong system than a serial number I give away every time I use my thumb drive.

[James @ Oct 24th 2008 10:49PM]

I think it would be more interesting to use an RFID tag so you just wave it across the lock(reader) and it would open.

[Levi @ Oct 24th 2008 1:59PM]

This is awesome. They just need to make it a contained module within the door/frame; relying on a pc hooked up to the door is a little much.

I must say, I've gotten spoiled at my place of work. We have these electronic 'badges' that you just position near a sensor and it unlocks the door. They are awesome, and it has made me into a complaining little bitch every time I come home and fidget through my key ring to find the outside key, then the room key...

Then the key won't fit in the stupid lock cause it's upside down and too dark out...

[lowdef @ Oct 24th 2008 2:11PM]

so can you authenticate multiple usb drives or are you stuck with one key?

pretty legit but a bit too complex.

[Matteo @ Oct 27th 2008 3:59PM]

Thats called RF ID and anyone with a scanner close enough can scan it.....

[Chris R @ Oct 24th 2008 11:45PM]

Those 'badges' you speak of are RFID tags. The same tech could easily (easier than this anyway) be implemented in your home also.

[Vivid1 @ Oct 25th 2008 1:01AM]

That Atmel 128 (the micro controller) he mentions is what runs it. The computer is only there to show the code that is on the chip.

[mousekopf @ Oct 24th 2008 2:04PM]

...or, you can take some scissors and tear through that tupperware container covering the lock.

[Tony @ Oct 24th 2008 2:14PM]

Yeah, or just drive your car through the front of the house.

[Steve @ Oct 24th 2008 2:23PM]

Or you could just walk around the side of the door like the person in the photo...

[Samboini @ Oct 24th 2008 2:24PM]

Why use a car when you've got a T-72 handy.

[Adisharr @ Oct 24th 2008 2:51PM]

I prefer to dive through the living room window.

[StalematE @ Oct 24th 2008 2:59PM]

the tupperware thing obviously goes on the inside your house... your deadbolt knob isn't on the outside is it? That would be pretty special...

[Squid7085 @ Oct 24th 2008 3:50PM]

Shh, Maybe his is, if we just be quiet and find out where he lives it could work to all our advantage.

[GreezyG @ Oct 24th 2008 2:07PM]

It's clever I guess. It seems to be waayyyy too complex. Just replace the HID badge reader on my office door with a usb port and be done with it.

[Levi @ Oct 24th 2008 2:16PM]

yeah that's the one - HID - I wish every door had them..

[hfm @ Oct 24th 2008 2:14PM]

Sounds like it would be easy to brute force with a custom USB device depending on the strength of the serial. Begs investigation.

[Jeremy W @ Oct 24th 2008 2:48PM]

It would also be incredibly easy to build brute-force detection into the software, making such an attack worthless.

[hfm @ Oct 24th 2008 3:40PM]

This is a good point. Anything causing the attacker a 5-10 minute delay would be good enough.

[max @ Oct 24th 2008 2:18PM]

This will do wonders for hackers. I cant wate till they implement this.

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 24th 2008 2:18PM]

Sweet mullet.

[dandaman @ Oct 24th 2008 2:47PM]

Are you really the first person to say that?

[James T @ Oct 24th 2008 3:27PM]

I can't believe the first comment wasn't, "Business in the front, Party in the back!"

[Mark @ Oct 24th 2008 2:25PM]

I wonder if they can get it to read some data- then use a fingerprint authenticated flash drive and it wouldn't matter if someone got your drive.

[GreezyG @ Oct 24th 2008 2:34PM]

If you work in an area that is THAT secure then chances are there are guys with guns watching you and you wouldn't need fingerprint authenticated flash drive access :P

[rock99rock @ Oct 24th 2008 6:02PM]

@GreezyG

Who said anything about work? As soon as this goes commercial, im using the same usb stick for my car, my home, garage, doghouse, attic, basement, refrigerator, wine cooler (Sweet, Sweet Franzia must be protected), desk drawers, medicine cabinet. Possibilities are endless.

[chuck @ Oct 24th 2008 2:40PM]

Neat idea, but pretty pointless in practice. What's the difference between reaching into my pocket for a USB drive vs a key? I would think RFID would do the same thing and be far more convenient.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 24th 2008 2:42PM]

Better yet. Bluetooth. If it can pair with my phone, I must be there and the door opens.

[Chris @ Oct 24th 2008 2:46PM]

I have an RFID fob to get in my sisters school.
(I'm 18 and on the way to highschool I drop her off)
Nobody needs to say pedo stuff now.

[Ignatius @ Oct 24th 2008 4:49PM]

Can't RFID be read remotely? Enjoy handing someone the keys to your house.

[Grey Acumen @ Oct 24th 2008 5:56PM]

So you store your computer documents on your car keys?

My only issue with this is what happens if your lock loses power? it's not going to do a lot of authenticating then.

[Paulmichael @ Oct 25th 2008 3:35AM]

Backup battery system? A nine volt should provide for a few minutes of operation to at least let you in, I would think.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 24th 2008 2:42PM]

Serial numbers are not a mandatory part of the USB spec. You might find some types of devices lack a number or all have the same number in them.

[Adisharr @ Oct 24th 2008 2:48PM]

I wouldn't want to rely on a USB connector to determine whether or not I'll be able to enter my residence. RFID would be a better choice.

That mechanism also needs to be made a lot smaller, battery powered and more robust. It's nice that they use household items to make these but my wife won't enjoy her Tupperware hanging off of the door ;)

[unevenreminder @ Oct 24th 2008 2:52PM]

at 1:03 he decided it was a good idea to clean the bottom of his shoe.

[dg @ Oct 24th 2008 6:39PM]

Hahah, yeah I noticed that too. I thought he was going to say he had an RFID chip in his shoe so when he steps on his doormat the door unlocks.

That'd be pretty cool.

[Seatec @ Oct 24th 2008 7:45PM]

Now integratea simple keybad for a 4-6 digit code to go along with this principle and you have something viable. otherwise its just another type of key with more points of failure.

[Phil @ Oct 24th 2008 2:52PM]

Uh, Was I the only one who caught "transparent aluminum"? O_o

[Rob Gough @ Oct 24th 2008 3:07PM]

nope, I caught that too... Is he mad or joking though?

[Joel @ Oct 24th 2008 4:51PM]

Aluminum Oxide is essentially transparent, and is essentially the same composition as a sapphire. It is incredibly hard and resilient to the elements. When Aluminum is exposed to air it rapidly oxidized forming a thin transparent layer of Alumina around it, preventing further corrosion. This very trait is why an extremely reactive metal such as Aluminum is often thought to be relatively inert and immune to corrosion (such as Gold), when in reality it is the byproduct of it's rapid oxidation that actually prevents further corrosion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_alumina

Manufacturing it in large scale economically is obviously the holy grail of a lot of researchers. In pop culture references, Scotty complained in Star Trek 6(? not a trekky, but the one with the whales) that our society was too primitive and as such hadn't developed this ideal material for making a giant whale tank for a time traveling starship.