According to the article posted on July 6 of The Week magazine, Schlage released a new smartphone application and a special lock set named “LiNK” system that can replace as-is physical door key and lock set. The system controls door locks by connecting your home’s internet router wirelessly. It can also be used to control other facilities such as lights, heating and cooling. The company boasts of its system because it can release people carrying cumbersome keys and let in a locked-out friend at the distant location.
Last year, I was almost about to cry when my brand new smart phone’s LCD got scratched by my door key in the pocket. Thus, I felt great when I first read the news about the LiNK and other similar lock systems imagining not carrying dangling keys anymore. However, after reading the whole article, I found out that it is not the time to be cheered yet.
First of all, the “LiNK” system’s safety is not proved yet. Nobody can guarantee its safety. Suppose that your smartphone is cracked by a hacker. It goes without saying that you would lose your valuables. It seems more vulnerable to the hacking because the system uses internet router. Hackers don’t even need to try to hack your phone. They just simply intrude through your router and can open the door. The company might be trying to simulate possible threats and prevent them, but I cannot sure its safety at this moment.
Also, as the company mentioned, there is no back-up plan for the battery outage of the phone or the internet connecting problem. What a stupid idea that hiding a spare battery or charger or phone for just in case? I’d rather carry or hide a key than worry about the battery. Even if you can take care of your battery all the time, what if the internet connection goes down? It is not the thing you can even prepare for.
The idea of controlling door locks with smart phone is great itself. However, as I mentioned above, the technology seems not mature enough to be useful until safety and back-up plan of the system are configured.
I am impressed by your arguments. I didn't thought about the inconveniences mainly those related to the hackers. By the way, do you think that the system per se besides all disadvantages is really necessary?
ReplyDeleteWhy people need to take a bunch of keys if we assume that with the smart phone you need to open only one door?
Well said. I can see that you won't use this technology to lock your house door, but will you use it to control any thing in your home wirelessly like turn on the IC?
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