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Upcoming 2019 Lock Technology Advancements

by locksmithnews

For a while now, we’ve been using technology for surveillance systems, remote monitoring, smart cameras, and more, but until recently we relied on our simple keys and locks to keep our homes safe from intruders.

However, 2019 is bringing many changes to the world of door locks and home security.

Smart Door Locks

Smart door locks use cutting-edge technology to keep us secure. Most of them can connect to your home automation system and can connect with your other home appliances and devices, such as Alexa for example.

Most smart locks offer phone apps that have a variety of different features. Some let you add permanent and temporary users. Some allow you to set an access schedule for specific dates or times.

So, be sure to check out some smart door locks that can make your life easier in 2019.

Keypad Smart Locks

For a keypad smart lock, you need a pin code to unlock it. With some, you can add different pin codes for different residents of your home so that you can know who’s coming and going and at what times.

You can also choose a combination lock that uses keypads and deadbolts, where you can add a knob or a handle-set.

Wireless Smart Locks

Wireless locks can detect your presence by using Bluetooth in your phone or a key fob. They offer you higher security by unlocking your door when you’re in the proximity of your smart door lock.

With a key fob, you don’t need apps and you don’t need a smartphone. You simply touch the lock with your key fob and the door will unlock.

A Bluetooth-enabled lock, however, senses when you and your phone are within a specified distance from the door, then it automatically unlocks.

Wi-Fi smart locks have a few features that Bluetooth-enabled locks and key fobs don’t. For example, you can check in real-time whether your door is locked or not.

Geofencing

With wireless smart locks, you have the feature of geofencing. This means that you can set up a perimeter around your house that uses your phone’s location services to let the smart lock know where you are.

Once you are outside the perimeter, the door will automatically lock, and you never again have to worry about whether you’ve locked the door or not.

Fingerprint Lock

As the name implies, to open the door with this type of lock, all you need is your fingerprint. This offers you high security, as all fingerprints are unique and very difficult to fake.

Smart locks offer you high security and peace of mind. They will make your life easier and much more convenient. For assistance installing your smart lock, reach out to 24/7 London Locksmith today!

Lock-Update-in-Northwest-London

Lock Update in Northwest London

by locksmithnews

As technology advances, so do burglars. With today’s advanced lock technology, you’d think that your deadbolt is 100% safe from burglars. We’re here to tell you that that assumption is false.

Burglars adapt to technology. No matter how advanced the lock is, burglars will find their way around it. That’s why it’s so incredibly important to update those old locks on your doors. It’s time to swap out those rustic Victorian-era locks for a smart lock.

That’s exactly what a recent client of ours did in Northwest London:

The Situation

A client of ours in Northwest London contacted us because he recently became uncomfortable with the lack of security his current locks offered. His neighbor had just experienced a burglary and he was not sure his current locks would deter a burglar of any kind.

We arrived at the home and assessed the current lock situation. The client currently had a basic lock standard lock. And although this lock offers a good amount of security, there are a variety of other locks available that provide higher security.

We removed the basic lock and replaced it with a high-security Mul-T Lock on top and a code lock on the bottom. This code lock removes the need for a key and heightens security of the home.

Mission: Lock Update – Replace basic lock with higher security lock

Lock: High-Security Mul-T Lock

Phone Call Date & Time: Tuesday, February 5th 3:35 pm

Arrival Time: 4:09pm

Work Time: 33 minutes

Why You Should Install An Updated Code Lock

If your locks are old and worn down, your chances of a burglar gaining access to your home are heightened. There’s a simple solution to this. Just update your old locks.

Updating your locks regularly is crucial to ensuring the security of your home. And since there’s a variety of lock options available today, code locks are a convenient option. Code locks remove the need for a key. You’ll never worry about losing your key again!

For help updating your locks in the Greater London area, reach out to 24/7 London Locksmith today!

Car-Keys

3 Briliant Examples of Locksmiths in Movies

by locksmithnews

It’s a great injustice that real locksmiths don’t enjoy the same fame and glory as their fictional counterparts from the silver screen. If you think about it, the two jobs – locksmithing and acting – require the same level of artistry and craftsmanship. What’s worse is that, when it comes to locksmiths in the movies, art usually imitates it quite poorly.

But in case you’ve developed an extraordinary interest in this skillset and want to educate yourself by watching motion pictures where actors actually use real-life locksmithing techniques, we’re super excited to inform you that these moves do exist. The following characters and scenes show just how thrilling, uncertain, and nail-biting picking a bolted lock can be.

Terminator 2

There’s only one superhero in Terminator 2, and her name is Sarah Connor.

Determined to escape from the madhouse and find her son, Sarah uses a paper clip to pick a sealed deadbolt. Spoiler alert, her tool of choice is just as effective as her technique – if you want to learn how to do this yourself, you’ll hardly be able to find a better tutorial.

What makes this scene so true to life is the fact that Linda Hamilton, the actress who played Sarah, actually insisted to learn how to pick locks before the camera rolled. If you can find the ultimate edition DVD, you’ll be able to hear more about it from James Cameron.

Watchmen

It’s amazing what a proper wrench can do when you know how to use it.

Rorschach from Watchmen used it quite masterfully in a scene at Veidt’s office. Though very short (it doesn’t take longer than a couple of seconds), the lockpicking and locksmithing prowess showcased in this take is every bit as impressive as it is authentic.

Slow it down, and you’ll see Rorschach using a wrench in a combination with an HPC zipper case. With both of his hands, he makes two or three quick rakes until it picks and then rotates the plug 90 degrees with the wrench. Neat trick.    

The Thief Who Came to Dinner

Hook, check. Credit card, check. Cocky attitude, also check.

The Thief Who Came to Dinner knows nothing about lockpicking, but still manages to give one of the most unforgettable portrayals of a locksmith in cinema. You’re in for a comedy treat, of course, so don’t analyze it too much. It may not be accurate, but it is hilarious.

This gem is actually a whole catalog of locksmithing tropes – you’ll see how to pick locks using only a hook and no torsion wrench, how to bypass a deadbolt with a credit card, how to open a safe “on a click”, and how to start a car by opening the hood and pushing the right spot.

It’s so off-point and funny that not even real locksmiths can stay mad for long.

Other cool examples of movies with great locksmithing scenes, be they as hard-core as Terminator 2 or as banalized as The Thief Who Came to Dinner, include Sneakers, The Equalizer, and The Naked Gun. We also loved Robot and Frank and Three Days of the Condor, starring a real-life locksmith Sal Schillizzi. If you stumble upon more great ones, let us know!

For help with any of your locksmithing needs, reach out to 24/7 London Locksmith today!

Notting-Hill-W11

The Ultimate Guide to the Many Types of Keys

by locksmithnews

Keys have been around for thousands of years. Since ancient times, they have been playing an important role in our daily lives.

We need to keep our homes and vehicles safe and locked. Keys protect your home and car and are a necessity that you simply can’t do without.

Since burglars and car thieves are getting smarter with each passing day, keys also became smarter to adequately battle new threats.

With that in mind, here is a table followed by a short guide that will introduce you to some of the basic types of home and car keys.

Key Type of Key Features
Abloy Key Home Difficult to pick. Used in disc tumbler locks.
Double or four-sided key Home Most common home key. Have two or four sets of teeth depending on the lock. Four sets of teeth offer more security.
Cruciform Key Home Difficult to pick. Three sets of teeth located at 90-degree angles with four flattened sides. Often used for industrial purposes.
Mechanically Cut Key Car Most common form of manual car key
Transponder Code Car Key Car Automatic remote car key
Laser Cut Car Key Car “Sidewinder” keys that provide increased security
Valet Key Car Car key that provides limited access to your vehicle for valet purposes.
Smart Car Key Car Advanced key with no traditional input. Can start car by having this key on your person and pressing your car’s ignition or start button.

Home Keys