What Kind of Car Key Do I Have?

Average motorists typically pay little attention to the keys that operate their cars, trucks, SUVs, or vans until they lose them, lock them inside the vehicle, or damage them. Although all keys perform in the same way—either by starting an ignition or opening a lock on a door or trunk—not all keys are the same. Knowing which type of key you have can be important if you ever need to have a key replaced.

There are essentially five different types of keys. Most locksmiths can cut all of these keys, especially if you're dealing with a company like SK Locksmith who is on the cutting edge of key-cutting technology and who has invested in the appropriate equipment and software for the job. The five basic types of car keys include:

• Mechanical-cut car keys. This is the most easily recognized and popular type of key. It is basic and plain, and most of the older model cars used this type of key. It is only cut on one side of its blade, so it can go into your car's ignition only one way; if you turn it the other way, it won't go in at all.

These keys are easily cut using a special punch-type machine—the type you see in most hardware stores or even some big box retailers. These keys are seen less and less today, due to technological advances, including laser cutting that is slowly making mechanical-cut keys a thing of the past.

• Laser-cut car keys. These keys, which are sometimes called internal-cut keys, feature the same cuts on both sides. If you can stick your key in the ignition from both sides and it still turns, then this is probably the type of key you own. Most of today's keys are cut using a laser, and automakers are turning to this type of key because it is harder to pick than mechanical-cut keys.

• Transponder keys. This type of key has a tiny chip in its handle, but it can still be cut by both mechanical and laser-cut methods. Nonetheless, the chip in the key makes it difficult for thugs and car thieves to duplicate, so it is a step up in terms of security from the basic mechanical key.

• Vehicle anti-theft system keys or VAT keys. These keys are mechanically cut and they are specially designed with a unique resistor in the blade. The resistor can be one of fifteen different types, which makes it a lot harder for crooks to make on their own.

• Smart keys. This type of key, as the name suggests, does a lot of intelligent things, including starting your car from across the parking lot or from the front door of your home when it's cold outside and you want to warm it up before you get in. These keys are really difficult for a would-be bad guy to duplicate, making them the ultimate in security for your car.

No matter what type of car key type, locksmiths can reproduce keys for you if you lose or damage your existing keys.

Take Your Garage Door Security Seriously!

Most people feel relatively secure when inside their homes, although garage door security can give them pause to wonder if would-be crooks can actually gain access to their otherwise safe abode. The fault in security when it comes to garage doors is usually found in the automatic garage door opener. 

While this type of device is a godsend during inclement weather, it can also compromise your home's security by making your garage penetrable to would-be crooks. And it's not a big stretch to imagine that when burglars can break into your garage, your home is next on their list. With many homes having access to the interior via the garage, this can pose a risk to your home's safety net.

How Do Crooks Get in Via the Garage?

A safety feature that is meant to add to your security in using your garage door and automatic garage door opener is actually where the weak link lies. Most doors are equipped with an emergency release lever that allows you to open the garage door if your power is out. You can also use a coat hanger or other object (if you're so inclined, and crooks are inclined) to gain access to the pull cord on this lever, effectively allowing yourself into the garage.

What Can You Do?

There are a number of things you can do to overcome this security issue. For starters, you can disable the release lever, but this means that you also lose the ability to open the door in an emergency. You can remove the cord, but that's not a foolproof way to ensure that someone with bad intentions won't get in using the coat hanger method described above.

Frosting the windows on the garage door can make it harder for the coat hanger method to work. Going retro with your garage door is also possible. This would require you to get out of the car to let yourself in, just like they did before there were garage door openers to do it for you.

A Better Option 

If you're not willing to do that and the solutions above seem a little far-fetched or impractical for you, then you can have your local locksmith install a keypad system on the door. This allows you entry to the door by entering a special code, so you can disable the release lever without worrying about the consequences of disabling the emergency lever.

Your locksmith can also secure the entry door that is located in the garage leading into your home with a high-quality deadbolt lock. Even if your garage door is secure, making it difficult to enter your home through the garage makes sense, because once a thug is in the garage, he has free reign out of sight of anyone else to make his way inside quickly. A deadbolt can make that more difficult.

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Could Your Business Use a Good Houston Locksmith?

Keeping your business, and its assets safe is no doubt a top priority for you as a business owner, and your local locksmith can be a partner in helping ensure that the bad guy can't cause you a headache.

Commercial or business locksmiths can be valuable to making sure that only the people that have permission to be on your business' premises are allowed there, and that only those who are allowed in certain areas can gain access once inside. You can also ensure that the activity on your business property is documented and monitored.

Access Control Systems

Most businesses need to control, at least to some extent, who can come through their doors and when they can come through. An access control system can be set up by your locksmith to put you in complete control of who comes inside and where they can go once they get there.

Through a number of available options, those with access can be required to enter a code, use a special key, or even slide an ID card in front of a card reader before they can enter your facility. This can help to ensure that only those with clearance can make their way into your business or different areas inside.

High-Security Locks

High-security locks can give you added peace of mind that intruders and others without authorization cannot get into your business, or if they are inside, they cannot gain entry to a particular area.

This type of lock is great for areas where expensive items are stored, research is being conducted, or records are kept, among other uses. A professional locksmith can discuss the various high-security lock options that are available to you as a business owner.

CCTV Systems

Keeping an eye on who is inside and around your business is not only a good way to deter would-be thieves—it is also a great way to make sure that your employees follow the standards that you demand for business practices, safety guidelines, and so on. A CCTV system can also help to document insurance fraud attempts if you are ever sued by an employee, customer, or vendor.

Today's CCTV systems are made up of numerous cameras that feed footage back to a central monitor, series of monitors, or even your smart phone. This last option allows you to monitor activities on the premises from any alternate location. Call Today! 832-777-7010