How Important Is Your Front Door Lock?

So for my first blog post, I would like to discuss residential front door locks.  I have been meaning to upgrade my existing front and rear door locks for some time now.  However, not knowing which brands to purchase can cause hesitation.  When purchasing a front or rear door lock you want to purchase a device that will impede or even discourage a more knowledgeable and experienced burglar.  Burglars, usually seek easy targets, locks that are easier to bypass without having to apply force to enter.  Burglars look for door locks or brands they know are easier to pick or use a bump key.  When visiting your local Home Depot or Lowes Home Improvement store, there is usually a wide selection of front door locks.  The problem here is these home improvement store's usual focus is not necessarily based on the locks security performance but rather, competitive pricing.  Selecting a good front or rear door lock is vital not just for protecting your valuables but what's truly most important your loved ones. 

Crime statistics show that an astonishing 34% of burglarsenter through the front door, and 3 out of 10 burglaries, with someone, home show 7% of these victims experienced some type of violent crime.  What’s even more surprising is the high percentage rate, 95% of household front doors locks can be compromised by either lock picking or bump keys techniques.   The key here is time, the time it takes a burglar to pick a lock, the more time needed, the likelihood the burglar will skip your door and move on to an easier target.

In researching front door locks, I compared the pros and cons of the different locking systems.  The goal was to find a better locking system that would defend against lock picking and bump key techniques.  A good front door locking system will provide a high level of security effectiveness while also providing convenience.   You can read more about specific brands here, 12 Best Front Door Locks.  I will just list two differences between the traditional deadbolt and the new smart locks system.

Smart locks are not focused on security. They are more concerned with convenience. The automated nature of these locks provides its users with an added layer of convenience and efficiency than traditional locks do not give.  The smart lock keyless model cannot be picked open, however, are susceptible to a potential cyber attack. 

Higher end deadbolt locks incorporated defenses against lock picking and bump key attempts.  They do this by utilizing advanced quality made disk detainer systems.  The disk detainer system uses false gates on every disk inside the lock which makes picking attacks almost impossible for even some of the most skilled locksmiths and locks picking aficionados.  A false gate is a cut on the internal disks that simulates the feeling of the disk being moved to the proper rotation point. These gates are intentionally shallower than the true gate.  Bump keys do not work on this lock due to the need for rotation and not elevation.

Taking the time to do your home before investing in a front door lock can save you both time and money in the long run.  For more similar security related information you can follow me on twitter.