9 ms·
August Smart Lock
- goldenkey 13y agoLocks are the kind of thing that you don't want computerized unless it involves biometrics. The 'tech-it-all' attitude is getting kind of tiresome. I've had newer washers with spin alignment sensors that break every year as oppose to my old analog washer that lasted 20 years.. A lock simply shouldn't have any hackable components. A microcontroller with wireless connectivity inside of a lock is the kind of ignorance that the 'omg, tech' attitude invites. As much as I like technical people, there are some folk who will orgasm at anything that has a microcontroller on it - I'm kind of ashamed of those folk - tech is a means to an end, not something you need to turn everything into. I will say this is very cool though. I would not use it or recommend others do because the components and firmware are NOT open-source, and therefore it cannot be audited and is a HUGE security risk.
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- javindo 13y agoIt seems cool but I have a couple of concerns. Firstly, how exactly is it detecting when someone is nearby? The iPhone doesn't have NFC for example and GPS isn't exactly the most accurate thing in the world. Secondly, it seems as though the device somehow connects to a front panel with a direct shaft to move the lock mechanism, it seems as though it would be fairly easy to compromise with a bit of brute force. How solid is the front panel? The large size also gives a lot of leverage for breaking off.
- garrettlarson 13y agoThe site says it uses Bluetooth and attaches to a standard deadbolt (that panel is presumably only on the inside of the door).
- goldenkey 13y agoIt's not particularly difficult to use two devices to act as a bluetooth mirror and rob someone's house by just walking next to them for 5 seconds.
- superuser2 13y agoI doubt the phone is just constantly broadcasting an unlock code. If it's correctly designed, the lock and the phone would authenticate each other cryptographically using a nonce or time/date to prevent replay attacks.
- goldenkey 13y agoAnd that doesn't mean anything when the signal is mirrored in duplex. We're talking about EMG, a wireless signal, not quantum bits that can be secured against reflection. It isn't a man-in-the-middle attack, because nothing is being altered, crypto doesn't mean shit. I'd call it a man-in-the-mirror attack ;-) The receiver/sender can't tell the difference. Automatic unlock is a huge vulnerability. I would not trust a company that doesn't bother to even mention these issues, even if they've defeated them, which I highly highly doubt. This product plays on the convenience factor, and does not really address anything technical. Cute, but no thanks. I'd rather have a safe house than a hipsterly cute one.
- calciphus 13y agoSay it with me now: Physical locks aren't unbreakable. A deadbolt does not make your house a fortress. I am all for good data security here, but if someone has targeted you to the point of following you around to clone your phone's interaction with your front door, I am pretty sure the glass windows provide a far easier target. Most of them can be just lifted out of their frame. Yes, it could be breakable. No, it is no less secure than an existing deadbolt. Threat model matters.
- goldenkey 13y ago
- spb 13y agoCorrect me if I'm wrong, but can't somebody pull the batteries out from the outside and lock you inside your house?
- andrewcooke 13y agono, that's on the inside. it replaces the "knob". the keyhole/tumbler remains on the outside so that it can be opened with a key.