Security Systems – Guarding Your Possessions

4 Responses to “What are some potential weaknesses/vulnerabilities to electronic security systems?”

1. j t Says:
   December 22nd, 2009 at 1:09 am

   Peter Sansone

   well…according to Snake and Fisher, respectfully from metal gear solid and splinter cell, electronic security has a lot of flaws that cannot be combatted and simply can be a flaw if a wire is cut or loose.

2. apeskape Says:
   December 23rd, 2009 at 2:55 am

   Lawrence Bader

   WEP keys on wireless routers can easily be broken in less than 10 minutes with software on a laptop. You can avoid this by making your key as large as possible, 256 bytes or something, and turning down the range on your router.

   Electronic locks for your car, like the little key remote thing produce nothing but a sound that is sent to the car. You can potentially record this with the proper software and use it to unlock the car at a later time. You can avoid this by not using it.

   You can prevent power outages by using a battery backup device. Alarm systems don’t use much power and can most likely run several hours on a single battery backup device.

3. 1024 Says:
   December 24th, 2009 at 2:47 pm

   Teresa Cornish

   Assuming your system is connected to a monitoring station, there is always the possibility of human error on the dispatcher’s end, and of someone onsite knowing your password and saying “Everything’s OK, the password is X, no need for police.”

   Sometimes if your emergency dispatcher is especially bright (not), they might allow themselves to be persuaded that the person onsite is OK to be there, even though they don’t have a password. It’s rare and not correct protocol, but I have seen it happen occasionally (”Well, they said they were a cop, so I didn’t dispatch on it!”

   Cutting power to the system doesn’t usually disable the system. All systems nowadays have battery backups, and when it kicks on, it will send a signal to the dispatch office and the alarm system’s owner will get a phone call to let them know. Cutting the battery will also send a signal to the dispatch station to let them know the system has been powered off. Even cutting phone lines will send a signal to the dispatchers, in some cases.

   Alarm systems in homes, in my opinion, are more trouble than they’re worth. You couldn’t pay me enough to have one!

4. Sphinx Rising Says:
   December 27th, 2009 at 9:53 am

   Kristen Gillette

   First of all, electronic security systems, like locks, were designed to keep honest people honest, as if the crimminal element wants what you have, sooner or later, they will find a way to get it. PERIOD.