Keyless entry security...

[AndyL]

8yrs old... Code has been 3800 all it's life...

Don't make it easy on thieves; it's hard to guess when there are 10,000 possible codes... It only takes a minute to get through 16 possible combinations.

Keep the cover down, get in the habit of punching in 1234567890 at least weekly so the wear stays mostly consistant...

This applies to those newfangled keyless deadbolts too - Some of them yellow pretty badly - very quickly...

 

[IONH]

Roughly how frequently did you use it and how often did you have to change the battery?

I bought a used one off someone and it worked great. But the new battery I put in did not last very long. I think I replaced it once then gave up come winter because of the abuse the cold weather put on the battery.

 

[mdameron]

There are 81 unique 4-digit combinations using 3 numbers.

http://www.mathsisfun.com/combinatorics/combinations-permutations-calculator.html

{3,3,3,3} {3,3,3,8} {3,3,3,0} {3,3,8,3} {3,3,8,8} {3,3,8,0} {3,3,0,3} {3,3,0,8} {3,3,0,0} {3,8,3,3} {3,8,3,8} {3,8,3,0} {3,8,8,3} {3,8,8,8} {3,8,8,0} {3,8,0,3} {3,8,0,8} {3,8,0,0} {3,0,3,3} {3,0,3,8} {3,0,3,0} {3,0,8,3} {3,0,8,8} {3,0,8,0} {3,0,0,3} {3,0,0,8} {3,0,0,0} {8,3,3,3} {8,3,3,8} {8,3,3,0} {8,3,8,3} {8,3,8,8} {8,3,8,0} {8,3,0,3} {8,3,0,8} {8,3,0,0} {8,8,3,3} {8,8,3,8} {8,8,3,0} {8,8,8,3} {8,8,8,8} {8,8,8,0} {8,8,0,3} {8,8,0,8} {8,8,0,0} {8,0,3,3} {8,0,3,8} {8,0,3,0} {8,0,8,3} {8,0,8,8} {8,0,8,0} {8,0,0,3} {8,0,0,8} {8,0,0,0} {0,3,3,3} {0,3,3,8} {0,3,3,0} {0,3,8,3} {0,3,8,8} {0,3,8,0} {0,3,0,3} {0,3,0,8} {0,3,0,0} {0,8,3,3} {0,8,3,8} {0,8,3,0} {0,8,8,3} {0,8,8,8} {0,8,8,0} {0,8,0,3} {0,8,0,8} {0,8,0,0} {0,0,3,3} {0,0,3,8} {0,0,3,0} {0,0,8,3} {0,0,8,8} {0,0,8,0} {0,0,0,3} {0,0,0,8} {0,0,0,0}

 

[mdameron]

Roughly how frequently did you use it and how often did you have to change the battery?

I bought a used one off someone and it worked great. But the new battery I put in did not last very long. I think I replaced it once then gave up come winter because of the abuse the cold weather put on the battery.

I'm thinking it's someone else's and he's pointing out the wear pattern that makes the combination easy to guess.

But it's really not easy to guess. ^^

 

[AndyL]

Ok my math is lacking i was going 4^4 - still a lot easier than 10 number's

Most of the a23 or cr2032 units fail when it gets cold around here - the 9v powered units do fail around -40... but almost always recover with the warmer weather

 

[IONH]

The 8 doesn't look like it has any wear at all. Not sure if you'd pick that if you had to figure it out.

 

[mmack66]

The 8 doesn't look like it has any wear at all. Not sure if you'd pick that if you had to figure it out.

Well, the 3, 8, and 0 buttons are white, while the others are grayish, but it is weird that their is no wear.

 

[4xdog]

Can you change the combination? Keep the old keypad and have a VERY secure system.

 

[Danver]

I have one on my shop door that I have kept an eye on to make sure it isn't obvious which keys I use regularly. I was more concerned about the keys I use being dirty from my fingers than I was about wear. I will have to take a closer look for wear next time I am there. I don't use it all that often and I have two codes that I alternately use. The one I have uses a 9v battery and I think I have replaced it once in the six years since I installed it.

 

[IONH]

Well, the 3, 8, and 0 buttons are white, while the others are grayish, but it is weird that their is no wear.

Good point.

But in the picture, the 1 is almost as white as the 8.

 

[RocketTR]

Another idea is to have separate 4-digit codes for family members. That's what I do with my keypad entry into the house. Nobody can guess the code by looking at the buttons.

 

[AndyL]

There are 81 unique 4-digit combinations using 3 numbers.

http://www.mathsisfun.com/combinatorics/combinations-permutations-calculator.html

{3,3,3,3} {3,3,3,8} {3,3,3,0} {3,3,8,3} {3,3,8,8} {3,3,8,0} {3,3,0,3} {3,3,0,8} {3,3,0,0} {3,8,3,3} {3,8,3,8} {3,8,3,0} {3,8,8,3} {3,8,8,8} {3,8,8,0} {3,8,0,3} {3,8,0,8} {3,8,0,0} {3,0,3,3} {3,0,3,8} {3,0,3,0} {3,0,8,3} {3,0,8,8} {3,0,8,0} {3,0,0,3} {3,0,0,8} {3,0,0,0} {8,3,3,3} {8,3,3,8} {8,3,3,0} {8,3,8,3} {8,3,8,8} {8,3,8,0} {8,3,0,3} {8,3,0,8} {8,3,0,0} {8,8,3,3} {8,8,3,8} {8,8,3,0} {8,8,8,3} {8,8,8,8} {8,8,8,0} {8,8,0,3} {8,8,0,8} {8,8,0,0} {8,0,3,3} {8,0,3,8} {8,0,3,0} {8,0,8,3} {8,0,8,8} {8,0,8,0} {8,0,0,3} {8,0,0,8} {8,0,0,0} {0,3,3,3} {0,3,3,8} {0,3,3,0} {0,3,8,3} {0,3,8,8} {0,3,8,0} {0,3,0,3} {0,3,0,8} {0,3,0,0} {0,8,3,3} {0,8,3,8} {0,8,3,0} {0,8,8,3} {0,8,8,8} {0,8,8,0} {0,8,0,3} {0,8,0,8} {0,8,0,0} {0,0,3,3} {0,0,3,8} {0,0,3,0} {0,0,8,3} {0,0,8,8} {0,0,8,0} {0,0,0,3} {0,0,0,8} {0,0,0,0}

Ok, hold on... after looking at the list. We know its a 4 digit code, with 3 numbers - so cominations like 3,3,3,3 arent valid... one repeats - but all 3 numbers need to be used...

So does that not take us back to 16 edit... Nope, deleting out the ones without all the numbers, gives us 30 possible combinations...

 

[e-tek]

Thanks for the tip - I'll be more apt to change the code now if ours start to look worn. I put keyless locks on our front and rear doors of our home and we absolutely love them. No more keys, rarely getting locked out (sometimes I forget the combo...), look classy...

 

[mdameron]

I count 35 of those that use every number.

Still, thieves aren't going to spend a lot of time calculating the number of combinations possible based on apparent wear patterns. Not only that, if they're operating at night, they're having to use a flashlight to even see the wear patterns. And a thief would have a very low success rate if the key to his gig is finding a locked-place that has very worn keypads.

 

[AndyL]

Perhaps, Depends on the thief and if its the easiest way in, and they know they want in...

We've seen smash n grabs (drive through the door) and access cut through a garage door (sawzall?) if they want in bad enough...

 

[EOC_Jason]

Well, the 3, 8, and 0 buttons are white, while the others are grayish, but it is weird that their is no wear.

Yeah I noticed that too, and the Enter key is whiter...

Maybe put some simple green on a rag and see if you can wipe all the keys clean?

My friend has one that has like those flat membrane style. He's had it maybe a year or two and I can't tell any wear on it but it's something I'm probably going to look for more now that you mentioned it.

On our gate at our property every tenant has their own 4 digit code, so all the keys are pretty worn equally....

 

[Stuart in MN]

You did just disclose your security code online where we can all see it...chances are no one reading this will find your house and break in, but I'd change the code asap.

 

[AndyL]

Customers - not mine mine is swapped semi regularly because of my greasy mitts making it disgusting... i dont think I've gotten more than 6 months out of my own...

Ive got a lovely stanley keyless kicking around in a pile somewhere that has just the 7 worn off want to guess its code?

 

[canuckian]

I had one that would remember the last 4 digits entered and all you had to do was press enter and you were in. I was under the impression that it only remembered it for 30 sec or something or not at all. i noticed the issue with mine by accident as i was wearing gloves and went to hit the first digit which was 8 and hit enter by mistake. up the door went! The last tome the keypad was used was a few days before. Also its not like it was an old unit. it was a brand new craftsman(chamberlain) unit. Maybe it was defective, i dunno. i got in the habit after that of pressing an odd key after i opened mine just in case it screwed up. Maybe that's what happened?

 

[deter]

so if someone wants to break into your garage:

most chain drives can be opened just by lifting up the door

 

[AndyL]

Maybe it's the way things are around my parts, but I've tried that trick (at customers request) even hooking the release from inside to test - the only time it's actually worked; was when the operator rail was mounted ridiculously high (like 10"+ above the spring - not an inch or so above like usual) - up here our doors tend to get framed about an inch low, and the doors are typically an inch taller (framed at 6'11, doors usually stack to about 7'1") Just getting the J-arm is almost impossible if it's installed correctly.

 

[StupidSheet]

so if someone wants to break into your garage:

most chain drives can be opened just by lifting up the door

I've never seen anyone "pick" it like that before. What I have seen is thieves just bend the door inby force where he puts the wedge. Then theu just reach in and pull on the rope for the release that most people leave hanging. After I saw that I immediately took my rope off the release. After watching this video I'm back to being nervous again!

 

[RKA]

Ok, hold on... after looking at the list. We know its a 4 digit code, with 3 numbers - so cominations like 3,3,3,3 arent valid... one repeats - but all 3 numbers need to be used...

So does that not take us back to 16 edit... Nope, deleting out the ones without all the numbers, gives us 30 possible combinations...

Actually, looking at the wear, it's clear the 0 button was pressed at least twice as frequently as the 3, so a combination having two 0's, one 3 and one 8 leaves 14 combinations.

 

[joe_padavano]

So does that not take us back to 16 edit... Nope, deleting out the ones without all the numbers, gives us 30 possible combinations...

Of course, if there's a vehicle with a Buick V6 parked in the driveway, I'd probably try 3800 first...

 

[EOC_Jason]

I've never seen anyone "pick" it like that before. What I have seen is thieves just bend the door inby force where he puts the wedge. Then theu just reach in and pull on the rope for the release that most people leave hanging. After I saw that I immediately took my rope off the release. After watching this video I'm back to being nervous again!

I've seen thieves simply back their trucks into the garage door and knock it off the hinges... It's not like it's a vault door...

 

[patrickn]

I change my combo every week.
Remember not to use: birthdays, anniversaries, special dates, etc... I used to have a job where I had to access locked areas and usually the people used those numbers.
I've seen people try the wear pattern trick but its extremely difficult and takes time which most thiefs dont have.
Another idea if concerned about wear patterns etc...get a locking cover for it. Its a PITA and an extra lock but it will slow them down for a couple of minutes and maybe make some noise to alert you.
Like my dad always told me, if someone wants to get in, they will. Its just a matter of you slowing them down a little.
Locks are basically just to keep the honest people honest lol. Nothing is totally secure, there is always a weak point, you just need to make it as secure as you can and hope for the best.
There are tons of tips but the main ones: Change combos often; don't use common numbers (see above): use quality locks and systems; don't advertise what you have in the locked area; setup an alarm system; etc...
Its sad that the world we live in that we have to constantly lock our stuff up. I remember growing up in a small town where we left our windows open at night, cars unlocked and didnt have to worry about break ins.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

This reminds me that I need to weld up a 2" angle iron frame for the man door on the side of the garage and replace the door with a solid core metal skinned door. A good heavy deadbolt that ties into the steel frame will make sure body is bending that any time soon. For longer term locking, I'd be tempted to drop a bar across the opening that is pinned in place.

As for codes- I would love one of these deadbolts. Currently I use a keybox next to the door with a resettable key code. I use that for contractors/maintenance that might need to get in, or if a friend needs to go to my garage to get a tool while I'm out. I reset the code for vendors/contractors.

But don't stop at that door. If you're going out on vacation or extended time away, disable the rollup garage doors. A simple welding C clamp in the door track will stop the door from rolling up. And the door leading to your house inside should also be a deadbolted door. Yes, even if they get into your garage, you should cost them some time and noise to have to try to break into the house itself.

You can't keep them out fully, but you can cost them valuable time where they are more exposed and more likely to be seen and reported.