>> Thieves trying to steal my Viper out of my garage last night! <<

No, our dogs would have got them if they were in the house. One sleeps at the front door, the other in the family room, and the last and largest one sleeps against our bedroom door. One of the German Shepherds has attack training, but because of that he is also the most calm of the group -- he is the kind of dog that would sit there and watch you enter the house without saying a word until you made eye contact -- then you would be in trouble. The other German Shepherd (female) is a typical German Shepherd. And our Yellow Lab, believe it or not, has the best hearing of all of them, and has the loudest bark of the group (almost a howl.) He is scared shitless of everyting, but from the outside of the house, he sounds so very mean.

Anyway, the alarm went off and indicates precisely what triggered it (the garage door.) My gal was sleeping at the time and heard scuffling in the garage when she ran over that direction with 2 German Shepherds to make sure the door leading into the house was deadbolted (it was.)

What I have realized is that my house is so damn sound proof, that you can BARELY hear the alarms in the garage when they are blaring inside the house. This is great when I have a party and have the stereo so loud that drinks will literally vibrate off the counter tops (no joke) and you can't hear it at our neighbors house. But, I don't think the thieves realized the alarm was going off for the first 10 seconds or so (however long it took my gal to get from one side of the house to the other where she heard them and was on the phone with 911 and the dogs were barking on the other side of the door.)

I have the alarm company coming out to put in two more sirens -- one inside the garage and one outside the house. If my house is getting broken into, my whole neighborhood is going to know, now. ;-) I'm going to talk to them about digitial video security when they get here as well. And last but not least, I will be purchasing a firearm, which I have been putting off for a long time and have been wanting to do.

Still, I am curious about how they opened my garage. Any guys here that work in the electronics industry that knows what kinds of code busters are out there now for the typical thief? 10 years ago when I knew a lot about this area, nothing was fast enough and yet portable enough to do it. I am curious how many codes one of these busters can spit out per second. With PC chips as fast as they are, I wouldn't be surprised if it's a 6 or 7 figure number of codes per second. Anybody know?

Certain rolling code garage door openers are easy to crack.

The Skylink Model 39 universal remote can be set to read the Chamberlain Security+ (rolling code) system and can open the door by using fixed static codes. Chamberlain brought a DMCA suit against Skylink as a result and you can read more about it in this summary judgement against Chamberlain.

And if you had workers standing around your house when you came home and used the opener, they could have grabbed your code then.

Bottom line is that if your garage door isn't bolted shut from the inside (as mine is when the Viper is parked) you're at risk.

viperrwk

Have you ever looked into Sonitrol &amp; their verified audio detection system?
That, along with 24/7 DVR has one of the the greatest apprehension rates in the industry.

Don't just scare the ********, catch them!

and you can read more about it in this summary judgement against Chamberlain.

And if you had workers standing around your house when you came home and used the opener, they could have grabbed your code then.

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Bob is dead nuts on !I'm very close to Chamberlain.. The company I worked for supplies them with Electronic components and assisted in writing the code for there EPROM that goes in there GD Openers.
When we suggested an Anti-Fuse architechure they declined to use it because they felt it was to expensive..If they went with our suggestion This technology would assure this problem would not occur.

This is how they opened your Garage door.
Code Grabbing" Fears
Skylink figured out that this last feature makes the whole rolling code song and dance unnecessary. With each button press, Skylink's Model 39 universal garage door opener sends the same sequence of three counter values: the first transmission sends an arbitrary value; the second sends a value that falls outside the forward window (and a similar "rear window") established by the first; the third just adds three to that. And the door opens.

Here is the entire article........

http://www.securityfocus.com/news/7461

Geez, what an article. So now it comes down to how to fix the garage door solution, short of locking it. I don't want to have to turn off my car, go to my front door, unluck and gain entry to the house, exit into the garage, unlock the garage door, open it, get back in my car, start it and then park it. I'm all for security and all, but there has to be a better way to secure the code. Hell, even if there was a lock that could be turned on and off with a secondary remote, that would be cool, and then the regular garage door opener could be used to open the garage. Without both, you can't open the door. Ever hear of something like this?

Light is a good idea, but also think about bushes and trees aroung your home where they can hide themself while you leave your car to unlock the door.

I allways leave the doors INSIDE the house and every office desk, wardrobe etc. unlocked.

When you lock soemthing, they think there must be something expensive inside and ruin you whole furniture... and your stuff is gone anyway.

Seems like you hear stories like these all too often as of late!Glad it worked out for you...but be careful in the future,you never know!
I have a garage separate from the house(1200 square feet)and always have my open car trailer parked in front of the doors.My area is pretty quiet(estate lot,not a subdivision)and so far haven't had a problem...but the thought of someone breaking seems to be always in the realm of a possibiliti!

Manny, gld everything is OK.

Do you have the handles on the release rope for the garage doors? These can be grabed with a coat hanger like tool &amp; then your garage door will just open.

EVERYBODY should cut these handles off the rope, no handles, no way to grab the rope &amp; release.

Andy

Glad everything worked out for the best Superbar.
I had my home broken into last year. they removed the glass pane from my impact glass French door and ripped the wires out of the alarm box before in went off. I've sense hidden the alarm box and made a panic room out of my master closet with an old cell ph. And a 380. It *****. I'm still so pissed, I stalk my streets hoping to catch someone breaking into a home so I can pummel them to death.

As for the car I was thinking of having a hidden kill switch put in my GTS. So unless you new about the switch and were it was you could never start the car.

Geez, what an article. So now it comes down to how to fix the garage door solution, short of locking it. I don't want to have to turn off my car, go to my front door, unluck and gain entry to the house, exit into the garage, unlock the garage door, open it, get back in my car, start it and then park it. I'm all for security and all, but there has to be a better way to secure the code. Hell, even if there was a lock that could be turned on and off with a secondary remote, that would be cool, and then the regular garage door opener could be used to open the garage. Without both, you can't open the door. Ever hear of something like this?

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I just installed one of those deadbolts on my front door that you punch in a code and a little electric motor slides open the dead bolt.....So I dont have to carry my keys with me all the time....I would think there has to be something like that for a garage door that can be used with a remote...If not someone should invent one...
Cheers,

Manny, you have a PM

Reading this on rolling code systems, I wouldn't be surprised if they can all be bypassed with static codes a la Skylink and Chamberlain...

Anyone know of a two-way RKE garage door opener?

viperrwk

From Contemporary Cryptology
v2.2.0 / chapter 11 of 12 / 01 jun 04 / greg goebel / public domain

Cryptographic systems are also in widespread use outside of the Internet, in the form of "remote key entry (RKE)" systems, sometimes also known as "remote keyless entry" systems. RKE systems have been around for decades in the form of garage-door openers, but the technology has been refined and is now in more widespread use, particularly in the form of RKE systems for high-end cars.

The old garage-door openers are still around, but they provide convenience, not security. The remote and receiver units could be set to unique 8-bit codes using mechanical switches, but this was mainly to eliminate interference between neighbors who both had remotes. Modern automotive RKE systems use a much longer code sequence that changes between uses. If a keychain RKE unit always sent the same or a predictable access code, a potential intruder could simply record its transmission using a radio scanner and play it back later to gain access.

Cheap integrated circuits are now available that provide improved security by generating binary code sequences of 40 bits or so. The simplest such security scheme is the "rolling code" algorithm, basically a form of pseudo-random number generator, which is used with one-way RKE units that can send a code but cannot pick up an acknowledgement from the receiver.

In the rolling code scheme, both the RKE unit the receiver are set to an initial code seed and "rolling algorithm". Every time the key sends an access code to the receiver, both update the code identically according to the rolling algorithm. The initial code seed ensures that the rolling code sequences are effectively unique to a particular RKE system, and the sequences are designed so that it is difficult to backtrack through the values and find the seed. As the receiver will not always pick up the RKE unit's radio signal, the receiver can "look ahead" 256 codes and still unlock the automobile.

This leads to a problem if the number of unreceived RKE transactions exceeds 256, or somewhat more plausibly the RKE unit is lost or broken. For this reason, automobiles with RKE systems have a "reset" capability. The owner gets in the car using the old-fashioned mechanical key, follows the reset initialization procedure -- say, turning the ignition on and off eight times in less than ten seconds -- and then pushes the button on the RKE unit. The receiver then syncs up to the RKE unit.

Two-way systems offer better security at higher cost. The RKE unit transmits an access code; the receiver reads the code and replies; the RKE unit acknowledges in turn; and the receiver then unlocks the doors. This means that both the RKE unit and the receiver can increment their rolling codes in step, eliminating the need for look-ahead. Incidentally, many RKE units can perform multiple functions, such as unlocking the doors or the trunk. This is done by sending a function code along with the security code.

Front facia on car?

My phone company hates me .....BUT I will not change it.

Phone companies advertise where your phone lines are by mounting the generic box on the outside of your home. On top of that they run the incoming phone line along the wall up to the box.

My phone box is located somewhere inside my home with underground conduit going thru the wall at some point to the box.

Your alarm is really effective by calling the monitoring company and police. But if the thief or ****** cuts the line you have serious problems.

Just something to think about .......


Cudaman

Do you have the handles on the release rope for the garage doors? These can be grabed with a coat hanger like tool &amp; then your garage door will just open.

EVERYBODY should cut these handles off the rope, no handles, no way to grab the rope &amp; release.

Andy

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Yep, I sure do. Thing is, my gal said her garage door opener was still working after the event, so it made me think that they opened it electronically, otherwise pulling that handle would have disengaged the motor being able to open it. Still a good idea.

Front facia on car?

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It's an SVS front splitter. Previous owner put it on the car.

My phone company hates me .....BUT I will not change it.

Phone companies advertise where your phone lines are by mounting the generic box on the outside of your home. On top of that they run the incoming phone line along the wall up to the box.

My phone box is located somewhere inside my home with underground conduit going thru the wall at some point to the box.

Your alarm is really effective by calling the monitoring company and police. But if the thief or ****** cuts the line you have serious problems.

Just something to think about .......


Cudaman

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You know, I was just thinking that the utility companies put all this crap in the worst place for security. ALL of my main electrical breakers are on the wall OUTSIDE of our gated section, so anybody can walk up to my house and turn off all our power. I hate that crap. I could put a lock on it, but that will take all but 1 second to snip off. Ideas?

Do you have the handles on the release rope for the garage doors? These can be grabed with a coat hanger like tool &amp; then your garage door will just open.

EVERYBODY should cut these handles off the rope, no handles, no way to grab the rope &amp; release.

Andy

-----------

Yep, I sure do. Thing is, my gal said her garage door opener was still working after the event, so it made me think that they opened it electronically, otherwise pulling that handle would have disengaged the motor being able to open it. Still a good idea.

Click to expand...

On mine, If you raise door all the way after pulling rope the door snaps back into coupling &amp; works as normal.

At least you have a second chance to correct everything, you were lucky.

Andy

I don't have the rope on my opener and I turn the bar to lock the door. If the opener is pushed the door is still locked, and for a little more insurance I drilled a hole in the track right above one of the lower rollers and turn in a 1/4 lag bolt. The only down fall to this is if you need to get it out in a hurry, it might take 10-15 sec. before you can open the door.

nobody opens a garage with a cracked-code remote. the garage opener is simply too noisy. the door is opened by hand- slowly and silently- unless they are bolted from inside- then they use a portable hydrolic jack to "unbolt" them. nothing can resist a hydrolic jack- locks, bolts... they all will snap or bend (silently). if they can wedge something to raise 2 inches your door- game over. translation- the only way your garage is not opening is if you dont let them near it.

you have dogs and they are in the house? get an electric fence and let them run around the house. dogs are the best deterent against thieves bar none... especially if you are not a gun person. and i've seen very few true gun people...most folks that have guns in the house are going to get themselves killed in a drawn-guns situation.

alex
few cars

"nobody opens a garage with a cracked-code remote"
Oh OK.........thanks for that FACT!

Re: &gt;&gt; Thieves trying to steal my Viper out of my garage last night!

Cudaman,

Regarding the cutting the phone line. One option is to use a cell backup. This is much harder to block although you can buy a cell jammer but it typically has a limited range. The key is to keep the cell antenna in the attic so that it is at the highest point in the house. ADT offers this cell backup service in most areas.

Bandit400

Re: &gt;&gt; Thieves trying to steal my Viper out of my garage last night!

Bandit400.... good point

Although sleeping at night most people keep a regular phone next to bed and bugular alarms use phone line to dial out. You can back up alarm system with a wirless system. I also wonder if a cell phone would work from a safe room...behind steel.

Cudaman

Re: &gt;&gt; Thieves trying to steal my Viper out of my garage last night!

I do like that others out there have guns to protect them selves. With proper use and training, a gun is a powerful crime deterrent.

If you have a dog, it will need to be tested at your location. I trained dogs for over ten years and competed in Police Dog trials. Most dogs will not protect you and will only provide a false sense of security. They are good noise makers and will offer some extra time to alert you. I had the #4 protection Rottweiler in the nation. To test a dog, you will need to schedule a break in during the night with a “Thief” wearing a bite arm under a regular coat. Most dogs will not bite.

A quick upgrade for the phone system is to remove the phone box and drill behind it to add a redundant phone line. Leave the existing phone line in place for the thief to cut. He will not see the line behind the box.

I would have to agree with locking the garage door. Any door can be opened with a large pry bar. Most garage door openers are not that strong to keep the door down.

I use a DVR. I started using outside cameras back in the 80’s. They were HUGE. Back then I had to use full size cameras with Pelco housings. It was clear that I had cameras on my house. But they did not work well in the dark. So I had 1500 watts of light. It looked like a ball stadium. I use GeoVision DVR. I have a full time web site so that I can see what is going on at home. If motion is picked up, you have options to email you. You will need a PC with 1.5GHZ processor or faster. 150gigs of HD space will give you about two weeks of recording running 4 cameras. Cost for the 4 camera DVR card is about $950. Cameras are really cheap now $50 - $100 each.

I've been looking to upgrade the security in my home and I've gotten some great ideas from everyone.

So said Donzi...

Motion lights that are on dim at night and get much brighter when motion is detected (they are available at Home Depot)In the back yard I have a halogin 500 watt motion flood light.......(home depot)

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Thanks Donzi!!! I had never heard of this brfore. They are great. On your advice I just installed them yesterday. $38 at home depot. I have a small deck and the 200watt system was perfect. Goes from lit, to Super bright. Good recommend!!

One question. I my house was pre-wired with 'shock sensor' on the pilars of the window. I have heard that these are the 'old style' for glas protection and subject to frequent false alarms. (thunder, wind) I was told to switch to the 'button' on glass type. Is that a change I can do myself or is it very complicated?



Andrew/USPWR

I had my home broken into last year. they removed the glass pane from my impact glass French door and ripped the wires out of the alarm box before in went off.

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Andrew,
What did they take? Alot? Did they get the most expensive stuff? The reason I ask is that it seems like someone went through alot a trouble breaking into your house. It doesn't seem random. Why not go to the next house? Did you have any contractors in your house prior to being brocken into? Just curious.

Mike

manny,

not sure if this has been covered ( 24hr, no sleep, selective reading )

but you should be able to program your alarm to only have the delay on certain doors. This is how the alarm works at my dad's shop. There is only one door with a delay. Any of the garage doors, or the other side doors instantly set the alarm off, just as if there were motion. This is even if it's in "STAY" mode, or in Away mode.