Home Hacking Projects for Geeks

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Part III: Home Security

If you want to break into someone’s house and they have a glassbreak sen-

sor, just use a diamond ring to cut the glass pane. I think I saw that on Mission

Impossible. Or Mel’s Diner.

Some professional security systems offer custom-fit screens that trigger an

alarm when the screen is cut or removed. This is a great option because

it allows you to keep your window open without sacrificing security. I

couldn’t find the parts to add this to my custom system, though.

2. Install door contact switches

Your doors are the most important point of entry to protect. Before you

begin with the intrusion detection, make sure you have the basics covered:

install deadbolts, and choose metal doors that have small windows, if any.

However, even with these precautions, intruders can still get in.

WARNING

If you install deadbolts on metal doors, don’t buy a kit with drill bits included.

Instead, buy the parts separately, and purchase drill bits designed to cut through

metal doors. I made the mistake of using the drill bit included with a kit, and

ended up ruining it.

Some intruders will have a key to get in your home. In fact, you might even

have given them a key because they’re a neighbor or a friend. Or, they may

have grabbed a key when you invited them into your home. Someone work-

ing on your house may have spied a spare key lying a ...