2 Messages
Window sensors easily fooled
I have had the system for about 2 weeks. My spouse and I have a 14 year old daughter making some very poor choices in life so we wanted something in place to know if she was trying to allow her boyfriend in our house while we slept at night (which is what we thwarted on 9/11) or potentially trying to sneak out at night. Installation was not difficult although I had to use screws around 2 door frames to mount the "Entry Sensors" and we have had some issues with the adhesive sticking on some of the windows. To this point we had been pretty happy with the system.
So today because my kids are pretty smart, I decided to do what I should have done before I bought this system in searching about ways the system can be hacked. Much to my chagrin, there were several YouTube videos showing two different methods to bypass your system. One uses a $2 device that sends a signal on the same frequency as your product. But even more alarming was the video that shows how to bypass one of these entry sensors with a simple magnet and a piece of tape. Unfortunately, entry sensors are the method I used because my wife was concerned our cats might trigger motion sensors and after seeing this video, I wish I had gotten 2 of them for upstairs and downstairs because it is true. And the worst thing is you can bypass it even when the system is armed and the magnet doesn't even have to be on the side of the sensor that faces the existing sensors magnet - you can tape it right over the little LED light on the front and come and go as you please. And this was just a simple 5 cent craft store magnet that worked like a champ on the door. So now it appears we will have to dish out another $60+ to buy two motion sensors after spending $300 already. But I can't put a motion sensor in her room so I may have to come up with another alternative for the window in her room although I suspect we would hear that because the screens are a nightmare to remove even in daylight thanks to double hung windows and full length screens.
So to those of you out there purchasing this for the same reason I did to restrain teenagers from poor choices, beware!
And as a side note: For those of you that are considering giving your kids smart phones, beware because that has what has opened Pandora's box with our kids. Wish I had never done it now.
So today because my kids are pretty smart, I decided to do what I should have done before I bought this system in searching about ways the system can be hacked. Much to my chagrin, there were several YouTube videos showing two different methods to bypass your system. One uses a $2 device that sends a signal on the same frequency as your product. But even more alarming was the video that shows how to bypass one of these entry sensors with a simple magnet and a piece of tape. Unfortunately, entry sensors are the method I used because my wife was concerned our cats might trigger motion sensors and after seeing this video, I wish I had gotten 2 of them for upstairs and downstairs because it is true. And the worst thing is you can bypass it even when the system is armed and the magnet doesn't even have to be on the side of the sensor that faces the existing sensors magnet - you can tape it right over the little LED light on the front and come and go as you please. And this was just a simple 5 cent craft store magnet that worked like a champ on the door. So now it appears we will have to dish out another $60+ to buy two motion sensors after spending $300 already. But I can't put a motion sensor in her room so I may have to come up with another alternative for the window in her room although I suspect we would hear that because the screens are a nightmare to remove even in daylight thanks to double hung windows and full length screens.
So to those of you out there purchasing this for the same reason I did to restrain teenagers from poor choices, beware!
And as a side note: For those of you that are considering giving your kids smart phones, beware because that has what has opened Pandora's box with our kids. Wish I had never done it now.
captain11
Captain
•
6.1K Messages
4 years ago
I, and many others, have tested ourselves the many sites who claim of vulnerabilities. One with SS2 not being unencrypted, was true but in practice hard to exploit. The invisible fence exploit was bull, and SS3, which is encrypted, will not be compromised with a garage door open key fob unless you know the exact line of site between the sensor in question and the base. As far as the magnets, yes, if an intruder can see them, a magnet may work but my glass breaks, motion sensors etc make it more difficult. And in your scenario, the intruder has an insider to assist...your offspring.
SS, or any system for that matter, is not a babysitter. I do wish you best on controlling your kids.
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whoaru99
1.3K Messages
4 years ago
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sevensiamesecats
2.2K Messages
4 years ago
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sevensiamesecats
2.2K Messages
4 years ago
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jfkratz1
8 Messages
4 years ago
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mcolefcil
1 Message
4 years ago
Here is what we did. Get a SmartThings hub with sensors for the doors/windows you want to monitor. Also get some smart lights to put in your bedroom (Philips Hue are the easiest to integrate). Install the system and then setup an automation for the sensor to turn on the smart lights you use. But here is the catch. Do not set it for when the sensor is open or closed. SmartThings sensors have vibration sensors built into them. Use the automation to trigger if vibration is detected to turn on the smart lights. You can also get a siren if you want. This way when the sensor detects movement (opening, being removed, etc.) it will execute the automation.
We have this on our kids windows. But you can also use them for other things. We have one on our washing machine that alerts us when the washer is done.
Hope this helps. Kids are way too smart these days.
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sevensiamesecats
2.2K Messages
4 years ago
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meroux
1 Message
4 years ago
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