Korean Job Discussion Forums

You · Joined: 31 May 2009

I'm moving into a new place next week and will have the locks changed. What do you think is safer: A regular key or a keypad code?

kiknkorea · Joined: 16 May 2008

Keypad.

crossmr · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

It depends.
One is a physical security tool the other is knowledge based.
if you lend someone a key, say to take care of something for you, you can get it back.
Once you give them the code, you'd have to change it.
someone might record you or see you punching in your code, it is much harder to steal someone's key and copy it without them knowing.

You can pick a regular lock, I'm not sure what tools would be needed to override a key pad, but they must exist as they'd need to be opened in the event someone forgot their code or something like that so I'm sure it's possible.

Date someone and give them your code? break up? need to change it.
a lot of things to think about for each scenario.

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

Date someone and give them a key, then break up and get the key back? How about the copies that they may have made? How would you know, unless you came home and found a bunny in a pot when you got home?

Change the locks either way. It's a heck of a lot easier to change a passcode.

World Traveler · Joined: 29 May 2009

crossmr · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

Css · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Location: South of the river

takes about 5 seconds to change a key code...i dont really think thats a big consideration..

id much prefer a keycode lock thing..

plus im much more likely to lose a physical key than to forget a short code.

You · Joined: 31 May 2009

Thanks guys. I think I'll go with a hardcopy key. It just seems safer to me.

littlelisa · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Location: Seoul

I had a keycode at my last apartment and a key at this one, and I like a keycode better, though there's not much of a difference, really.

It takes 5 seconds to change the keycode and it's very easy. The keycode lock had a flip up part for an actual key that my building manager had. So if you got one, you could have a physical key too. A big upside was never having to dig through my bag for my key.

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

red_devil · Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Location: Korea

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Keypad.

Punching in the keypad is really convenient. You never have to worry about losing your keys. In an emergency, you could always tell someone you trust how to get in your apartment.

I also like how it just automatically locks when I close the door. My keypad has these small "keys" that I can also use to open the door. I bought mine on G-market for half what the stores sell them for. I then just called a locksmith to come over and install it. The installation was like 20,000w.