Tag Archive for: Locks

FCC Locks Down Router Firmware

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For years, we have been graced with consumer electronics that run some form of Linux, have a serial port on the circuit board somewhere, and are able to be upgraded through official and unofficial means. That digital picture frame you got for Christmas in 2007 and forgot to regift in 2008? That’s a computer, and it would make a wonderful Twitter feed display. Your old Linksys WRT54G router? You can make a robotic lawnmower out of that thing. The ability to modify the firmware of consumer electronics is the cornerstone of Hackaday’s editorial prerogative. Now that right we have all enjoyed is in jeopardy, thanks to regulations from the FCC and laziness from router manufacturers.

Several months ago, the FCC proposed a rule that governed the certification of RF equipment, specifically wireless routers. This regulation would require router manufacturers to implement security on the radio modules inside these routers. While these regulations only covered the U-NII bands – the portion of the spectrum used for 5GHz WiFi, and there was no expectation of implementing security on the CPU or operating system of these routers, there were concerns. Routers are built around a System on Chip, with the CPU and radio in a single package. The easiest way to prevent modification of the radio module would be to prevent modification to the entire router. Some would call it fear mongering, but there was an expectation these proposed FCC rules would inevitably lead to wireless routers being completely locked down.

These expectations have become reality. Libre Planet has received confirmation from a large router manufacturer that firmware is now being locked down thanks to FCC rule changes.

News of this change to router firmware comes from a Battlemesh mailing list, a contest centered around modifying WiFi routers for mesh networking and ad-hoc networks. According to a  customer service rep, TP-Link has locked down the firmware for several models of WiFi routers due to the new FCC rule change. The models affected include the most recent 802.11n from TP-Link, and there is no way to use other firmware on these routers.

The controversy surrounding the FCC’s rule change has ebbed and…

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Sweepstakes: Rate Your Home Security System, Cameras, Locks, and More to Win

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Take the Home Security, Cameras, and Smart Locks Survey(Opens in a new window) (US Only)

OFFICIAL SWEEPSTAKES RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Readers’ Choice Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) is governed by these official rules (the “Sweepstakes Rules”). The Sweepstakes begins on July 24, 2023, at 12:00 AM ET and ends on August 13, 2023, at 11:59 PM ET (the “Sweepstakes Period”).

SPONSOR: Ziff Davis, LLC, with an address of 114 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10011 (the “Sponsor”).

ELIGIBILITY: This Sweepstakes is open to individuals who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States of America or the District of Columbia. By entering the Sweepstakes as described in these Sweepstakes Rules, entrants represent and warrant that they are complying with these Sweepstakes Rules (including, without limitation, all eligibility requirements), and that they agree to abide by and be bound by all the rules and terms and conditions stated herein and all decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final and binding.

All previous winners of any sweepstakes sponsored by Sponsor during the nine (9) month period prior to the Selection Date are not eligible to enter. Any individuals (including, but not limited to, employees, consultants, independent contractors and interns) who have, within the past six (6) months, held employment with or performed services for Sponsor or any organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Sweepstakes (“Employees”) are not eligible to enter or win. Immediate Family Members and Household Members are also not eligible to enter or win. “Immediate Family Members” means parents, step-parents, legal guardians, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, or spouses of an Employee. “Household Members” means those individuals who share the same residence with an Employee at least three (3) months a year.

HOW TO ENTER: There are two methods to enter the Sweepstakes: (1) fill out the online survey(Opens in a new window), or (2) enter by mail.

1. Survey…

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Presence Sensor Locks Computer When You Step Away

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Having a computer that locks its screen after a few minutes of inactivity is always a good idea from a security standpoint, especially in offices where there is a lot of foot traffic. Even the five- or ten-minute activity timers that are set on most workstations aren’t really perfect solutions. While ideally in these situations we’d all be locking our screens manually when we get up, that doesn’t always happen. The only way to guarantee that this problem is solved is to use something like this automatic workstation locker.

The project is based around the LD2410 presence sensor, which is itself a small 24 GHz radar module paired with an ESP32 which simplifies the detection of objects and motion. [Enzo] paired one of these modules with a Seed Xiao nrf52840 development board to listen to the radar module and send the screen lock keyboard shortcut to the computer when it detects that the user has walked away from the machine. The only thing that [Enzo] wants to add is a blinking LED to let the user know when the device is about to timeout so that it doesn’t accidentally lock the machine when not needed.

One of the parts of this build that is a little bit glossed over is the fact that plenty of microcontroller platforms can send keystrokes to a computer even if they’re not themselves a USB keyboard. Even the Arduino Uno can do this, so by now this feature is fairly platform-agnostic. Still, you can use this to your advantage if you have the opposite problem from [Enzo] and need your computer to stay logged in no matter what.


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Best Smart Locks 2023 – Forbes Vetted

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The best smart locks make your home safer. These locks not only allow keyless entry, but they can also keep track of who comes and goes—and when they do so. After weeks of testing 11 smart locks, I selected the Level Lock+ as the best smart lock overall because it is easy to use, supports Apple home keys and doesn’t look like a sci-fi prop stuck to your front door. And the Defiant Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt is my pick for best value smart lock, for delivering all the basics at a reasonable price.

Smart locks might look difficult to install, and that seems to be one thing holding shoppers back from jumping in with both feet. According to Adam Wright, research manager for Smart Home and Office Devices at IDC, “Many consumers aren’t confident in their ability to change the lock and install a new one. They typically seek out the help of a professional installer, which inhibits adoption.”

As you’ll see below, I had no difficulties when installing the 11 locks I tested for this roundup; I found the process quite easy to do on my own with a couple of simple tools. After many hours of testing out smart locks, their apps and the smart home systems they fit into, I chose the following winners:

Type: Single-cylinder deadbolt | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Smart home integrations: Amazon Alexa (via Amazon Sidewalk device) and Apple HomeKit | Entry options: Physical key, touch, NFC keycards, app, keypad (optional) | Power: Lithium CR2 | Finishes: Matte Black, Satin Nickel | Size: 2.4 x 2.4 x 1.1 inches (front), 2.4 x 2.4 x 1.2 inches (rear) 

Best for:

  • Adding a smart lock that doesn’t look like one
  • Those with Apple devices
  • Flexible entry options

Skip if:

  • You are on a budget
  • You use Google Home as your only smart home network

The Level Lock+ excels as a smart lock precisely because it doesn’t look like a smart lock. It looks like an ordinary lock from both the outside and inside. While this lock’s appearance doesn’t scream high-tech, it does a great job of using the latest technologies to make it easier to control who gets in and out.