Garage Door Opener Security
Convenience and security are the top priorities for most people when it comes to accessing their garage. Today, sophisticated technology allows you to open your garage (as well as turning on lights and opening gates) using your phone or tablet. At the very least, your car is equipped with a button you can program to open your door, eliminating the need to clip a remote to your visor.
Not every house comes with these conveniences, however. For those who have just purchased a house with an older garage door opening system, making it as secure as possible is the priority.
Modern Garage Door Security
Most standard garage door remotes today use rolling code technology and a learn button on the garage door opener motor. The learn button allows you to erase the code on the unit and reset it so that your remotes and the buttons in your car will open the door. Rolling codes provide security because the code on the transmitter changes every time you use it. The technology sends a new code to your receiver for the next time you need to open your door.
Older garage door openers—those manufactured before 1993—use DIP switches soldered to the circuit board to allow the remote to communicate with your opener. Units have 8 to 12 small switches in the receiver and inside the transmitter, which are set to a unique code. Once synchronized, the remote opens the garage door. The system was created to provide the security lacking in the original generation of electric garage door openers, which sent a signal that could potentially open your garage door and those of many of your neighbors.
While rolling code technology provides superior security, with as many as 1 million possible codes, a garage door opener with 12 DIP switches does provide for more than 4,000 combinations. Unfortunately, simple radio scanners can read the code sent by a transmitter. The key for a new owner using this older technology is to change the DIP switches.
How do you program your garage door?
First, locate the DIP switches on the motor unit of your system. You will need to remove the cover and they will be on the back of one of the sides. To change the position of the switches, you should use a flathead screwdriver.
Next, locate the DIP switches in the remote, most likely alongside the battery. Set the switches in exactly the same position as you set on the motor. Click the button on the remote until the garage door responds.
You can change the DIP switches on a regular basis for added security for as long as you use this older system. It also is possible to program this type of garage door opener to newer and dual remotes.
At Above & Beyond Door Systems, we are happy to help with instruction for older garage door openers and advise how you may upgrade to a more secure system. Call today for details on how to make your garage secure with the best in garage door opener technology.