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Home Security / Automation

Discussion in 'Tilted Gear' started by aquafox, Jan 2, 2012.

  1. aquafox

    aquafox Getting Tilted

    Location:
    Ibapah, UT
    Has anyone here played with or have any home security and automation gear? I really think it would be awesome to add some fresh technology around the house and I would love to hear stores / opinions.

    Right now I'm still in the dream phase, likely going to leave these for a summer weekend project. Otherwise, here's where I'm at soo far:

    Logitech Outdoor Surveillance kit - These are pricey compared to alot of the cheap stuff out there in terms of cameras, however it's from a company that's been around for a bit and they do offer some mobile connection options
    http://www.logitech.com/en-us/webca...-security-systems/master-systems/devices/7252

    This company has a set which offers some remote lighting and thermostat control - it would be really cool to adjust the heat from your phone... kind of like a remote starter, but for your house. They also offer door locks with keypads... which can activate lights when you enter your code... however I like the idea of using an RFID key more soo than this.
    http://link.schlage.com/

    Samsung digital deadlock, offers keycode or RFID ability. If you ever need to let someone walk the dog one night, you give can text message them a code and then reset it when you get home. Only downside is that they use RFID cards as opposed to chain fobs. I've seen some pretty slim little keychain access devices in person which were approaching key size, but haven't found the one I want on sale yet. I'm also curious as to if using a magnetic lock would have benefit over a deadlock.

    http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Ezon-...FIJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325558404&sr=8-1

    rfid keychains
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  2. That all sounds great but I would want some form of UPS behind digital locks. Ever try to get into your garage when the electricity is out?

    Certainly having a surveillance system would be great. Have it focused on all entry doors, especially the front door has merit.
     
  3. martian

    martian Server Monkey Staff Member

    Location:
    Mars
    RFID is an inherently insecure standard. Using RFID for security applications therefore makes little sense. Doesn't stop people from doing it sadly, but I wouldn't recommend it.

    The standard of security is two-factor; the typical short version goes "something you have, something you know." An RFID tag combined with a secure passcode (preferably 6 or 8 digits if it's strictly numeric) would work. A fingerprint scanner combined with a passcode would be even better.

    But on the other hand, there's little sense in spending a fortune on locks before the basics are covered. What's to stop someone from breaking a window? This is why simple 6 pin deadbolts suffice in most applications, even though they're easily pickable -- they're really designed to keep the honest folks honest, and that's something they do quite adequately.

    Just random musings on security. It's a bit of a thing for me.
     
  4. aquafox

    aquafox Getting Tilted

    Location:
    Ibapah, UT
    The lure of the digital lock is to allow more controllable entry to different parties while allowing flexible entry rather than enhanced security. Going out for a jog around the block would no longer require you to bring your house key with you if you wish to keep things locked. The neighbor can walk your dog. A friend can drop something off inside of your house.

    Security breaches can be fixed resetting the password rather than buying a new lock and getting new keys made. I can't imagine myself wanting or needing one on every door. Back and side doors would remain as traditional key operated locks. For enhancing security beyond that, I would imagine a standard alarm would be rather useful for windows and such...
     
  5. aquafox

    aquafox Getting Tilted

    Location:
    Ibapah, UT
  6. Shadowex3

    Shadowex3 Very Tilted

    Cameras are one thing, outside of that the best automated home security you can get is a ~9-10 year subscription to Deutscher Schäferhund. It can take up a bit of space and requires a little setup but is custom tuned to your family and location, can operate during a total power outage for a significant period of time, and can intelligently and immediately react to threats and intrusions.
     
  7. Remixer

    Remixer Middle Eastern Doofus

    Location:
    Frankfurt, Germany
    Central-Asian Shepherd > German Shepherd.

    Regardless. When it comes to digital security, I don't think there's much out there that beats PKI.

    I believe there are very good reasons why digital security for e-NID cards and e-Passports are based on it.
     
  8. Cdwonderful

    Cdwonderful Getting Tilted

    Location:
    Campbell, OH
    the security features are nice....but the automation factor sells it for me. Can it be set to walk my dog?
     
  9. martian

    martian Server Monkey Staff Member

    Location:
    Mars
    That's an interesting assertion, given how many CA's have had security breaches recently.

    PKI itself doesn't really do much for security -- it's the asymmetric key exchange that actually provides transactional security, and PKI just exists for key verification. For anything that's not extremely sensitive (and even a handful of things that are) key continuity works just as well. There have actually been some calls within infosec circles to do away with the current PKI infrastructure altogether, though until someone can provide an alternative suitable for widescale deployment and use that's not really a feasible demand.

    Not that this has anything to do with home automation, or even home security for that matter.
     
  10. Shadowex3

    Shadowex3 Very Tilted

    I'm sure someone, somewhere, has trained one dog to walk another.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  11. Cdwonderful

    Cdwonderful Getting Tilted

    Location:
    Campbell, OH
    my newf can walk my chi chi but not the other way around...
     
  12. Remixer

    Remixer Middle Eastern Doofus

    Location:
    Frankfurt, Germany
    Nice to see people here know about it. :)

    Truth. Felt like throwing it out there last night while tipsy.
     
  13. Ryanfuego

    Ryanfuego New Member

    Location:
    73159
    Nice gadget though. I have installed such deadlock at my place and now I feel really cool because of high level of security. Actually it is difficult to brake such locks and they're really reliable. So my advice will be to install such lock at your property.