Smart garage door openers are some of the safest IoT systems, as they use state-of-the-art encryption while transmitting data. However, it is still possible for someone to break into your garage by hacking it. Nevertheless, this is easier said than done. In fact, the risk of someone hacking into your smart door opener is really low compared to someone forcefully breaking down the door. Automated garage door systems may come with smart opener features such as a wide variety of compatible devices, remote monitoring and access, real-time alerts, enhanced security, and many more. These features and advanced encryption make them super safe and extremely difficult to hack or access illegally.
However, to enhance the safety of your smart garage door, you still need to follow some rules. We will talk about them in this article. But first, let’s see what security features you get with smart garage doors.
Security Features of Garage Door Openers
- Remote Control. This is a significant security benefit that enables the ability to open and close the garage door while away from home. For example, if you forget to close it in the morning when heading to work, you can easily do it by tapping on a ‘Close Door” button on your smartphone app. You can also open your garage door to let in your visiting relatives or housemate.
- Alerts. Since smart doors go with security sensors, you will receive push notification alerts on your phone whenever it’s closed or opened.
- Remote Monitoring. You can use your smartphone or laptop to see when your door is being opened or closed from anywhere in the world. This feature also can include an audit log of when your door was used throughout the day and how long it was opened or closed. And you can even connect a security camera to see your garage in real time once any movement occurs.
How to Enhance the Security of Your Smart Garage Door
- Update Your Software. The companies that make these devices are already aware of the existing vulnerabilities. Therefore, manufacturers get third-party companies to test and expose software vulnerabilities. This allows them to find any possible loopholes hackers may target and fix them using updates. So make sure to update your system as soon as new versions have been made available.
- Secure the Wi-Fi Network. Other than the regular software updates, ensure that your network is secure. This means having a strong password and, if you can, using a VPN.
- Ensure Your Garage Is Secure. You can secure your garage by physically enhancing the garage doors and covering the windows. This ensures that people can’t snoop in to see if there are any valuables worth stealing.
- Have an Upgraded Exterior Lighting. An adequately lit garage exterior can deter burglars. Additionally, adding motion sensor floodlights above the garage doors will scare intruders off.
What If Someone Does Break into Your Garage?
No system is foolproof. However, you can take a few measures to minimize the damage should someone break into your garage. Here are a few ideas.
- Have a secondary lock on the door that can access your house, and always ensure it’s locked. This makes it difficult for burglars to access the rest of your home once they are in the garage.
- Install an alarm system. This can stop intruders by making them feel they are about to be caught and that their activities are known.
- Have security cameras around your garage. While this may not stop the thief from stealing, it can help identify or scare them off.
Conclusion
While the network connected to your garage door opener can be hacked, the security benefits smart garage openers provide outweigh a break-in possibility. In addition, security features such as alerts and routine software updates will ensure the safety of your garage. So, take the chance and modernize your garage by adding smart garage door openers.