How to secure my apartments door from invisible intrusion?

[femurat]

For the door you have to find something that is not obvious like a piece of tape, but not difficult to apply like a hair. Put it where it can't get lost unless someone opens the door every time you go out. A small nylon string may do the trick. You have to find a good place to knot it around so that, if the door is opened, it breaks.
I've thought about it because many years ago my grandma told me that they used to put a hair on top of a drawer or cabinet door to see if somebody opened it. The important thing is that nobody knows about it and nobody see you put it in place.
I think that a very small "meter" behind the door hinges may be another good option. Every time you open the door the number is incremented. You just have to remember the number there's on the display when you go out...

For the window it's quite easy, a small piece of tape could do the trick. Put it where it's not in plain sight. Hide the tape you use so nobody can put another piece once it came out.

Cheers

[Wizer]

The lock is combined dead bolt and user lock. Our Abloys are mostly like this.
See the little switch under the latches. That activates the smallest of latches. When door is closed, that triggers the deadbolt half an inch into the frame. So, Squelchtone, the creditcard trick won´t work.

[SikkerLass]

If your concern is to find out if someone entered your room, a hidden seal to the door and window is way cheaper than an unpickable lock.
There are many locks that are secure enough for your door. The mcs is one of them.
The window is much more difficult to protect... I'll let some expert give his advice. I know there's an adhesive film that make glass very difficult to broke.
Good luck

Thanks for the advice How do you make that seal?

Also keep in mind that it may be against your rental contract or lease agreement to change the locks.

A video system may not be a bad idea.

Gordon

I have been given permission to change the locks and do other modifications, so the rental contract won't be a problem I have been considering video survaillance, but I found that IP cameras can be hacked, and it's not that hard to do, so I will wait until i can found a proper wired closed circuit system, if that's relevant.

Are you under the impression that someone is going into your place right now while you are not around? are things moved around or missing?

Right now, nothing is unusual. But a couple of months ago, I had completely fresh food - juice, milk, porridge oats having the same disgusting taste. Grocerys, which I have almost just opened. I had the same thing happening with a opened bottle of whiskey.

I have been evicted for changing locks on my apartment because someone was in fact coming in while we were out. Maybe a better option would be to get a cheap wifi pan tilt camera with built in NVR. You can set motion detection for the period you are away to send you an email with video/pic clips of the motion incidence and then you would be able to see and confirm action in your absence.

I'm sad to hear, that you got evicted for righteously protecting your self against an intruder. No one should unlawfully enter private property. I think those cheap cameras are problematic, since they can easily be hacked (and possible jammed).

I would use an invisible lock.

Invisible lock only works with ghosts. If you have a ninja problem this stuff works wonders.

Can't bump or pick what you cannot see.

Your jokes are funny, but please, stick to the subject.

in all seriousness, this is why new members tell me they don't like the forum, when people here make fun of them. knock that sh*t off guys.

but the OP really does need to come back and give us a little more context so they're not coming off like a paranoid old lady who's slippers are getting moved when she's not home.

tell us what's up and we'll tell you best advice how to fix it. which I think was already given by several people, get a camera and record when not home.

and forget evva mcs, you're gonna have a hard time finding that in the US. you can get Abloy Protec much easier. My bigger concern is lack of deadbolt on that door lock mechanism, it seems I could probably slip the latch using some variation of the old credit card trick.

Squelchtone
Forum Admin

I've been keeping away from my family, due to abuse I was subjected to. It's sort of cult like, sadly. And I'm afraid that they will enter my home. Besided that, I'm a political dissident and also, my neighbour, is a 30 year old seriously disturbed woman - and so is her mother, they litterally live together 3/4 of the days of the month in a 30 square meter flat, and they are a wealthy family.. The woman lies and make all sorts of lame accusations. She deliberately lets the front door to our entrance unlocked now, after we agreed on keeping it closed, due to my girl friend being sexually harrased my some thugs, who have also have been threatening me.

[SikkerLass]

For the door you have to find something that is not obvious like a piece of tape, but not difficult to apply like a hair. Put it where it can't get lost unless someone opens the door every time you go out. A small nylon string may do the trick. You have to find a good place to knot it around so that, if the door is opened, it breaks.
I've thought about it because many years ago my grandma told me that they used to put a hair on top of a drawer or cabinet door to see if somebody opened it. The important thing is that nobody knows about it and nobody see you put it in place.
I think that a very small "meter" behind the door hinges may be another good option. Every time you open the door the number is incremented. You just have to remember the number there's on the display when you go out...

For the window it's quite easy, a small piece of tape could do the trick. Put it where it's not in plain sight. Hide the tape you use so nobody can put another piece once it came out.

Cheers

Hey, this is really clever DIY thinking. Thanks!

[SikkerLass]

The lock is combined dead bolt and user lock. Our Abloys are mostly like this.
See the little switch under the latches. That activates the smallest of latches. When door is closed, that triggers the deadbolt half an inch into the frame. So, Squelchtone, the creditcard trick won´t work.

Are you refering to the lock that is on the image I have posted?

[SikkerLass]

https://securitysnobs.com/Abloy-Protec2-Single-Cylinder-Deadbolt.html

I just noticed OP is from Sweden, so probably get ASSA V10 on that door or source an Abloy Protec locally. Also, their doors are not prepped for a USA tubular format deadbolt.

I also suspect the title of invisible intrusion may sound unusual or funny to us, but maybe that's how it translated from Swedish for surreptitious entry or something similar.

I'm residing in Denmark. Thansk for the understanding of the language barrier. By invisble intrusion, I mean intrusion, which does not leave visible traces.

[jbrint]

Regardless what you do with the lock it really may make sense to add a camera. If you configure it correctly there is a very slim chance it gets hacked or creates any problems. If that seems to be an overwhelming fear you can always unplug it when you are in the building and just turn it on when you are gone. You could get something like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Foscam-FI8910W- ... ess+camera

I used a very similar camera to keep a creepy landlord in check and keep an eye on my dog when traveling.
They are easy enough to get setup where access can be restricted. You will need only a couple of things to have this work
1. A firewall. Almost any will work
2. Internet.
3. Dynamic DNS or No-IP account
4. A smart phone either android or iPhone to set up a remote viewer.
5. an SD card

If you decide to travel this route PM me and I will be happy to help you get it set up.

[SikkerLass]

Thanks for the suggestion.

Wouldn't that pattern of turning it on/off, reveal that when I'm home/gone, if someone did hack it and spy on it? I do agree, if configured correctly, the risk of being hacked are probably slim, however, they probably do exist.
A camera filming out of the window, could not be used to spy on me in my apartment though, and would stille be able to detect intruders opting for the window, if not hacked and such.

Thanks for offering me help with the setup.If I go for the camera, I might PM you

[Squelchtone]

Thanks for the suggestion.

Wouldn't that pattern of turning it on/off, reveal that when I'm home/gone, if someone did hack it and spy on it? I do agree, if configured correctly, the risk of being hacked are probably slim, however, they probably do exist.
A camera filming out of the window, could not be used to spy on me in my apartment though, and would stille be able to detect intruders opting for the window, if not hacked and such.

Thanks for offering me help with the setup.If I go for the camera, I might PM you

I have to ask and please let us know what your situation is, because you sound very paranoid that someone is breaking in and leaving no trace and now you think someone will hack your IP camera.

Did something already happen and someone was in your apartment or are you just a paranoid person and trying to protect your apartment if something might happen in the future?

I use a Dlink DCS-930L camera http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6881103031 that emails me photos any time there is a motion event and I can set a schedule too, or I can use the Dlink app on my iphone and my secure account login to watch the apartment Live if I want to check up on it, even has audio. I am not afraid of anyone hacking it.

Also, perhaps instead of taking advice of strangers on a hobby lock picking forum, you might want to schedule an appointment with a local locksmith or security company to help you in person.

Thanks for helping us understand the exact situation.
Squelchtone

[GWiens2001]

A simple trick for the tape, if you use it on the window...

Sign the back of the tape with a felt tip marker. Then use a razor to put several small cuts across the center, like a dotted line. Now apply it to the window. If the window is opened, the tape will tear. They can put tape back, but to accurately copy your signature on the new piece of tape would be very difficult. If you don't have something done like that, then the tape can be replaced with you none the wiser.

Gordon

[SikkerLass]

Thanks for the suggestion.

Wouldn't that pattern of turning it on/off, reveal that when I'm home/gone, if someone did hack it and spy on it? I do agree, if configured correctly, the risk of being hacked are probably slim, however, they probably do exist.
A camera filming out of the window, could not be used to spy on me in my apartment though, and would stille be able to detect intruders opting for the window, if not hacked and such.

Thanks for offering me help with the setup.If I go for the camera, I might PM you

I have to ask and please let us know what your situation is, because you sound very paranoid that someone is breaking in and leaving no trace and now you think someone will hack your IP camera.

Did something already happen and someone was in your apartment or are you just a paranoid person and trying to protect your apartment if something might happen in the future?

I use a Dlink DCS-930L camera http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6881103031 that emails me photos any time there is a motion event and I can set a schedule too, or I can use the Dlink app on my iphone and my secure account login to watch the apartment Live if I want to check up on it, even has audio. I am not afraid of anyone hacking it.

Also, perhaps instead of taking advice of strangers on a hobby lock picking forum, you might want to schedule an appointment with a local locksmith or security company to help you in person.

Thanks for helping us understand the exact situation.
Squelchtone

I'm probably what some will consider paranoid(not in the clinical sense), in the sense that I feel threatened by certain individuals(for example, my brother beat me up for not being in agreement with my father) without having been exsposed to the attacks i fear, and therefore, want to be prepared.I have been in some political demonstrations, in which political opponents photografed and filmed us, and a few of the other participants have been victims of severe violance afterwards. Some have also been visited at their residence, by people who wanted to beat them.
No one has actually been in my current apartment. I have however experienced one actually break in, in my old house, and did have a guy entering my old apartment, after i refused him entry, cos I opened the door and he walked in and threatened me, so I have some level of distrust.

I have been talking with local locksmiths/security companies, but some of them seem less serious and are not really providing much specific information about what they sell.I have however found 2, that seems very professional, but I would like to have second opinions from people who might be less motivated by profit, so this forum might be a good place for a second opinion

[SikkerLass]

A simple trick for the tape, if you use it on the window...

Sign the back of the tape with a felt tip marker. Then use a razor to put several small cuts across the center, like a dotted line. Now apply it to the window. If the window is opened, the tape will tear. They can put tape back, but to accurately copy your signature on the new piece of tape would be very difficult. If you don't have something done like that, then the tape can be replaced with you none the wiser.

Gordon

Thanks! This solution seems pretty clever, and low budget too!

[SikkerLass]

I think that a very small "meter" behind the door hinges may be another good option. Every time you open the door the number is incremented. You just have to remember the number there's on the display when you go out...



Cheers

This one is interesting. How would you apply the meter to the door, and where would you by it? Perhaps something like those runners use, to track how many step they takes, or those on bicycles, or something else?

[jbrint]

Door Counter
http://www.idtelectronics.com/people-co ... unters.php

As far as the camera is concerned hacking it would have to be someone really, really wanted to do. While not impossible it is highly improbable. Even trolling hackers will only try for a few minutes and then move on to lower hanging fruit. I have 16 cameras in and around my house, they are secured and open to US addresses in certain IP blocks for remote access and viewing. My IP tables are audited daily and a report is sent to me. I have had 0 attempts on my NVR in the 19 months it has been online.

Im not trying to sell you on the camera angle, but the piece of mind to look in and listen to the environment is a great thing in my opinion. Its a low cost for a high piece of mind.

Not sure what your landlord feels about big dogs, but they are also excellent protection when trained right and a lot of fun when you are around.

[SikkerLass]

Door Counter
http://www.idtelectronics.com/people-co ... unters.php

As far as the camera is concerned hacking it would have to be someone really, really wanted to do. While not impossible it is highly improbable. Even trolling hackers will only try for a few minutes and then move on to lower hanging fruit. I have 16 cameras in and around my house, they are secured and open to US addresses in certain IP blocks for remote access and viewing. My IP tables are audited daily and a report is sent to me. I have had 0 attempts on my NVR in the 19 months it has been online.

Im not trying to sell you on the camera angle, but the piece of mind to look in and listen to the environment is a great thing in my opinion. Its a low cost for a high piece of mind.

Not sure what your landlord feels about big dogs, but they are also excellent protection when trained right and a lot of fun when you are around.

I'm gonna check that door counter stuff A.S.A.P..

I'm still a bit ambigiuos about the whole IP Camera thing, but I do see the advantages og being able to look into the environment, even when on vacation.

I have been considering the dog, it would also be a good way for me to become more active, but the amount of tics around here are just extreme in the summer time, and the dog will probalby bring about 7-8 of them into the house on a daily basis, my old cat did that, it even brought them in when treated with anti tick poison. Dogs are legal, when you ask for permission. My old neighbour had a big growling type dog.

When I have the money for it, I'll try to see if I can get permission to install a security door as well as window, but that's way too expennsive for me right now.