simple security prevention

[cruzn57]

Having a auto matic garage door opener,I was surprised to find it open one morning, and the thought of my tools, equipment, cars, leaving prompted me to figure out a better method of control.
Yes I do pin it now, (didn't before) but to prevent bending the opener track when energized, I was looking at the door and track, when I had a brain fart,
I took the elect plug from the door opener and connected it to the switched light outlet in the garage, (I have numerous 4 ft tube lights) ( can't spell floresents) simple unplug add extension cord, plug into switched light plug.
now when I turn off the lights, door opener is no longer powered up.
I do not use the garage for daily drivers,
when I walk into the garage to work I normally turn on the lights, so door opener will be powered up if needed.
simple but effective.
other thing I did was run small wire from door opener light, to closet light in master bedroom ( they share a common wall) now when door is opened. closet light will come on, alerting me to door opener activated.( like at 2 am)
I did this before I switched the power cord, so now is moot point.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Good idea! I was considering something like the Garage Butler...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ATN6KU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mike14k]

My brother pointed out an interesting security breach along this line. If you have a external garage door transmitter and a portable GPS unit in your car, it's easy for a thief to break in, steal both, come to your house (from the GPS) and power open your door.

So I don't store "Home" in my portable GPS.

 

[OneTon]

So I don't store "Home" in my portable GPS.

I use my neighbors address...

 

[jabberwoki]

I `ve heard that if you try enough random doors with one remote eventually you`ll get one to open up?

 

[PassnThru]

My brother pointed out an interesting security breach along this line. If you have a external garage door transmitter and a portable GPS unit in your car, it's easy for a thief to break in, steal both, come to your house (from the GPS) and power open your door.

So I don't store "Home" in my portable GPS.

It's interesting how this got so much attention when the portable GPS devices came out. For years now, most people have kept their registration in their glove box. Instant home address also. But you rarely heard anything about that.

 

[OneTon]

I `ve heard that if you try enough random doors with one remote eventually you`ll get one to open up?

On the older units, possibly. The newer units have millions (billions?) of possible digital codes and have a link feature with the main unit, making "war-driving" nearly impossible.

Back in my "snooping & pooping" days, I built a code generator from a standard garage door opener. I would pull up to a neighborhood, fire up the generator/transmitter and watch several doors/gates on the block open up!

 

[trythis]

Cheesy video that makes the opener itself a poor security device.

The cool kids do it:

 

[xcgates]

I actually enjoy my manual door, and as long as I live somewhere that doesn't get a lot of bad weather, I don't think I'll be longing for an auto-opener any time soon.

I just roll up to in front of the car, go into the house, put my helmet and other gear away, grab a quick bite, then go put the bike into the garage.