Can Door Sensors Be Bypassed? How to Keep Your Home Secure

Can door sensors be bypassed? As a new homeowner, I discovered the answer to this concerning question far too late.

After moving into our new house, my wife and I were so excited to decorate each room and make the place our own that we overlooked something crucial – properly setting up the included security system.

We disabled some of the “annoying” alarms and didn’t even connect a few of the door sensors.

This gave a robber the perfect opportunity to completely clean us out just a month after moving in. I won’t make that naïve mistake again.

This article will explain the right way to install and monitor sensors to prevent bypassing and protect your home.

Let’s dive in.

What is Door Sensor and How Does it Works?

Door sensors, sometimes called door contacts, are an essential part of any home security system.

They are devices that detect when a door or window is opened and send a signal to the control panel to trigger the alarm.

Most door sensors consist of two parts – a sensor and a magnet. The sensor attaches to the door frame while the magnet attaches to the moving part of the door or window.

When the door or window is closed, the sensor and magnet are aligned closely together.

This allows the sensor to detect the magnetic field and remain inactive. But when the door or window opens, the circuit breaks, triggering the sensor to send a signal to the control panel.

This sets off the alarm, alerting homeowners that a door or window has been opened.

While door sensors are reliable for the most part, it is possible for experienced burglars to bypass them.

With the right tools and know-how, door sensors can be tricked, disabled, or circumvented.

This allows intruders to enter a home without setting off the alarm, leaving families and possessions vulnerable.

Fortunately, there are several steps homeowners can take to reduce the risk of sensor bypassing and keep their homes as secure as possible.

The first line of defense is using high-quality door sensors that are tamper resistant.

Look for sensors that are designed to detect removal or displacement. If the sensor is taken off the door, it will trigger the alarm system.

Concealing sensors is also important so they are not readily visible or accessible to intruders.

Sensors should be installed securely and discretely for maximum protection.

Upgrading to a more robust security system can also help prevent sensor bypassing.

Look for advanced systems that use encrypted wireless signals which are difficult to hack or jam.

Systems with backup cellular or landline connections also offer more security in case the wifi is disabled.

And features like automatic notifications if the system goes offline provide an extra layer of monitoring.

Adding supplementary security measures is another way to keep your home protected even if a door sensor is somehow bypassed.

Glass break sensors can detect if a window is shattered to gain entry. Motion sensors inside the home will pick up movement if a door is opened without disarming the system.

And security cameras at entry points not only deter burglars but provide video evidence if a break-in does occur.

When it comes to the doors themselves, solid wood or steel doors with high-quality deadbolts will resist forceful entry better than flimsy doors with simple locks.

Installing a security screen door provides another barrier for burglars to get through undetected.

And loud audible alarms installed both indoors and outdoors will scare away intruders and alert neighbors of a break-in attempt.

Maintaining and monitoring your system is also important. Routinely check activity logs for any signs of tampering or system faults.

Work with your security provider to inspect, test, and update sensors and panels as needed.

And consult with a locksmith to ensure your doors and locks provide maximum security against forced entry.

The best approach against sensor bypassing is having a multilayered home security strategy.

Quality sensors paired with robust alarm systems, reinforced doors and windows, supplementary detections, and vigilant monitoring together provide strong protection.

While no security is foolproof, taking proactive measures reduces your risk significantly.

With the proper precautions, you can have peace of mind knowing your home’s safety barriers will be very difficult to bypass undetected.

Can Door Sensors Be Bypassed?

Yes, Here are Some Ways

While home security systems are designed to protect against break-ins, experienced burglars have found ways to bypass door sensors in order to gain entry undetected.

Some of the common techniques used to defeat door sensors include:

Using Magnets

One simple way intruders bypass door sensors is by using an external magnet.

As mentioned earlier, most door sensors work by aligning a magnet in the moving door with a sensor in the door frame.

This proximity allows the sensor to detect the magnetic field and remain inactive.

Burglars can reproduce this magnetic field to trick the sensor by placing a strong magnet directly on the outside of the door.

Even if the door opens, the external magnet will keep the sensor from detecting the change and triggering the alarm.

Powerful neodymium rare earth magnets are often used for this purpose as they can be purchased cheaply online.

Experts recommend placing door sensors as high up on the door frame as possible to make them less accessible for external magnets.

Also look for door sensors that have tamper protection and will notify the panel if a foreign magnet is detected.

Physically Disconnecting

Another direct way intruders bypass sensors is by physically disconnecting them from the security system.

If the sensor is unable to send a signal to the control panel, no alarm will sound when the door is opened.

Most door sensors are wired into the system through the walls of a home. Burglars can remove the sensor housing from the frame or sever the wiring to disconnect the sensor.

Using wireless sensors makes this bypass method more difficult but not impossible.

Experts recommend installing wireless sensors out of reach or concealing wires/antennas to prevent tampering.

Also opt for tamper-resistant sensors that trigger if removed or damaged.

Jamming Signals

For wireless systems, experienced burglars know how to jam the radio frequency signals door sensors use to communicate with the control panel.

Police scanners and RF transmitters can be used to flood and disrupt wireless frequencies.

The range of signal jamming depends on the wattage of the transmitter.

This bypass method blocks all wireless alarm activity, preventing door sensors from working.

Upgrading to a wireless system on an encrypted frequency is the best defense against signal jamming.

Encrypted signals are much more difficult for burglars to crack or override.

Dual cellular and radio backup connections also help ensure an alarm can still trigger if the main wireless signal is jammed.

Hacking Alarms

Finally, some tech savvy burglars are able to hack into a home’s alarm system to disable it.

While it takes significant skill, knowledge, and special equipment, alarm keypads have been hacked to obtain passcodes.

More advanced systems have even been hacked to bypass passcodes entirely, circumvent sensors, and disable alarms. Once in the system, doors can be opened without detection.

Again, upgrading to advanced security systems with encrypted, rotating passcodes is important to prevent hacking.

Avoid systems with default passcodes or opt for biometric fingerprint access instead of number codes.

Also watch for notifications if the alarm goes offline and shows signs of tampering or system faults.

Never leave the default admin account activated either.

Preventing Sensor Bypassing

While there are several ways intruders attempt to bypass door sensors, there are also numerous ways you can protect your home and reduce the risk of sensors being defeated.

Install Tamper-Resistant Sensors

Look for door sensors that are specifically designed to be tamper-proof and detect removal or displacement.

These tamper-resistant sensors trigger the alarm system if the sensor is taken off the door or frame for any reason.

Some work by completing an electrical circuit that activates when the housing is removed.

Others have small buttons that get compressed when mounted and will trigger if that compression is released.

This ensures the sensor cannot be removed without notification.

It’s important to get tamper-resistant sensors for all exterior doors and ground floor windows at a minimum.

This includes sliding glass doors which are often a weak point. Check that any sensors already installed are tamper-proof models, or plan to upgrade them if not.

Hardwired sensors will also naturally be more tamper-resistant than wireless options since it is more difficult to fully disconnect them.

Conceal Sensors

In addition to making sensors tamper-proof, you also want to conceal them from sight as much as possible. Sensors that are visible and easy to access allow burglars to focus their tampering efforts directly on the sensors.

But if sensors are discreetly mounted behind door frames, curtains, blinds or hidden inside the door itself, they will be much harder to find and target.

Do not rely on obvious adhesive exterior mounts that basically advertise the exact location of your security sensors.

Take the extra time to conceal wired and wireless sensors for maximum protection.

Also consider hiding external wires by running them behind baseboards or molding.

Just ensure any wiring concealment does not violate fire safety codes.

Upgrade Security System

Upgrading your home security system is one of the best defenses against sensor bypassing.

Look for robust systems designed specifically to prevent the typical tampering, hacking and jamming methods burglars use. Key features to look for include:

• Encrypted wireless signals – Prevents jamming and hacking of sensors.
• Cellular monitoring backups – Ensures alarm can activate if landline or wifi disabled.
• Tamper notifications – Alerts you if sensors are removed or damaged.
• Activity log reviews – Shows any system faults or potential hacking attempts.
• Rotating passcodes – Passcodes change frequently to prevent hacking.
• Biometric access – Fingerprint or facial recognition instead of passcodes.
• Anti-jamming technology – Frequency hopping makes jamming more difficult.

Discuss all of these advanced security offerings with reputable home security companies to find the right system for your home.

This may require upgrading from an older system to take advantage of the latest technology.

But the investment provides significant protection and peace of mind.

Add Glass Break Sensors

Even if a door sensor is somehow bypassed, you can add another layer of security by installing glass break sensors.

These acoustic sensors listen for the specific sound frequency a window makes when shattered or broken.

If a burglar smashes a window to gain entry because they bypassed the door sensor, the glass break sensor will still trigger the alarm.

Glass break sensors should be installed near all windows on the ground floor and any windows accessible from porches or decks.

Having both door sensors and glass break sensors provides complete perimeter monitoring.

So even if one fails, the other can still detect intrusion.

Just ensure the glass break sensors are calibrated to the proper sensitivity and adequately cover vulnerable window areas.

Monitor Activity

Make sure you or your security provider routinely check the activity and history logs from your control panel.

Carefully review the events, faults, openings, closings and other recorded system data.

Look for any anomalies that seem unusual or out of the ordinary. Strange events can indicate potential tampering or hacking attempts of your system or sensors.

If you spot any concerning activity, take proactive steps like changing passcodes, inspecting sensors and contacting technical support.

Setting up automatic email or text alerts for system events and faults is also recommended.

This allows you to monitor for tampering in real time rather than only checking logs manually.

Vigilant monitoring and inspection is key for identifying and addressing potential security breaches.

Additional Door Security Measures

Along with proper door sensors and alarm systems, strengthen the doors themselves to make bypassing sensors more difficult:

Solid Doors with Deadbolts

All exterior doors should be solid wood or steel construction at a minimum. Hollow core or cheap plywood doors can easily be kicked in or broken.

Solid doors provide more resistance against forced entry, buying time for alarms to activate if sensors are bypassed.

Metal security screen doors offer even greater strength and an added visible barrier.

Deadbolt locks are also essential for secure doors, especially on any doors with glass panes.

Standard spring latches are too easy to jimmy or pick open. Solid metal deadbolts with 1-inch throws thwart most lock picking tools.

Go for high-quality deadbolts with hardened steel and guarded keyholes against drilling.

Upgrade to smart deadbolts if possible, which allow remote locking/unlocking.

Security Cameras

Installing security cameras covering all exterior doors provides another layer of protection.

Even if a burglar is able to bypass the sensors, cameras capture video evidence of the break-in as backup.

High-resolution cameras with night vision capabilities are ideal. Position cameras under eaves or inconspicuously to avoid tampering.

linking cameras to your smartphone allows you to monitor all doors remotely. motion-activated recording is also recommended to capture any activity.

And storing video recordings securely in the cloud ensures footage cannot be erased or corrupted.

Video monitoring combined with door sensors makes bypassing extremely difficult.

Motion Sensors

Motion sensors inside the home provide secondary detection if a door is somehow opened without disarming the system.

The sensors will pick up movement and activate the alarm, covering you if a door sensor fails to trigger.

This stops an intruder penetrating further into the home undetected.

Place motion detectors near entryways inside to catch motion right away. Adjust the sensitivity so small pets do not trigger false alarms.

Hardwired motion sensors are more tamper-proof than wireless options. Again, having both types of sensors creates redundancy if one fails.

Audible Alarms

Installing extremely loud audible sirens will frighten away burglars and alert neighbors if an intruder attempts bypassing your sensors.

Indoor alarm sirens near doors should be over 100 decibels, while outdoor sirens can be 110+ decibels.

Even if a sensor is disabled, the sound will drive away criminals before they can gain entry.

Make sure to test alarm sirens periodically to ensure proper function. Batteries should be replaced annually.

Also do not disable the siren function even if neighbors may get annoyed at false alarms.

Loud audible deterrence is a small price to pay for complete home security.

Contact Security Professionals

Take advantage of professional guidance tailored to securing your home:

Security Provider

Work closely with your home security provider to select equipment and create a customized system focused on preventing sensor bypassing.

Bring up the specific risks outlined here to address them in your design. Schedule regular maintenance visits so all sensors, connections and components are inspected.

Immediately contact your provider if any potential system breaches occur. Make sure software and firmware is kept updated on control panels and devices.

Ask about adding professional monitoring services as well so technicians can respond to alarms and alerts. Taking advantage of their expertise is key.

Locksmith

Consult with a professional residential locksmith to ensure your doors and locks provide maximum security.

A locksmith can evaluate your existing hardware and recommend high-quality deadbolts, reinforcing, smart locks and other improvements.

They can also properly install new locks and hardware so doors operate smoothly but still securely.

Investing in professional grade residential security locks makes a big difference.

A good locksmith helps select optimal products for each type of door. They also have experience defeating common break-in methods that you can learn from.

Proper installation avoids any weaknesses too. Locksmith guidance bolsters the safety of your doors.

Following all of these best practices provides overlapping layers of physical and digital security for your home.

Quality sensors and alarms, robust door construction, enhanced locks, video monitoring, motion detection, and audible deterrence together create a formidable web of protection.

While no system is impenetrable, comprehensive security steps will thwart most bypassing attempts and keep your home safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Prevent My Door Sensors From Being Bypassed?

While no security is foolproof, there are many steps you can take to significantly reduce the risk of your door sensors being bypassed.

Using high-quality tamper resistant sensors, concealing wires and hardware, installing glass break detectors, reinforcing doors, adding surveillance cameras, maintaining and updating your system, and working with security professionals will all make bypassing much more difficult.

Taking a layered approach to home security is your best defense.

What Are The Best Door Sensors To Prevent Tampering?

Look for door sensors specifically designed to be tamper-proof and detect removal or displacement from doors and frames.

Opt for hardwired sensors if possible, as they are more difficult to fully disconnect than wireless sensors.

Also choose sensors with tamper notification capabilities that will alert you if they are removed or disturbed in any way.

Should I Get a Monitored Security System?

Monitored security systems that are professionally installed and supported are highly recommended for best results.

This ensures sensors are properly placed, connected, concealed and can activate automated alarm responses if needed.

The monthly monitoring subscription also adds a response team ready to react to threats and alerts.

Overall, monitored systems provide significantly more security and peace of mind.

Can Glass Break Sensors Really Detect a Broken Window?

Yes, the latest acoustic glass break sensors use advanced technology to listen for the very specific sound profile of glass shattering at certain frequencies.

Properly calibrated glass break sensors will reliably detect the sound of a window being smashed or broken.

Just make sure to place them appropriately within detection range of vulnerable windows.

How Often Should I Test My Security System?

You should test your full security system on a monthly basis at minimum.

This includes arming and disarming the system, triggering alarms, checking that all sensors activate properly, testing battery levels, and ensuring proper communication to the monitoring center if you have one.

Routine testing helps identify any issues to be corrected before a real emergency occurs.

What Can I Do If My Door Sensors Keep Showing Faults?

If you regularly see fault alerts, begin by inspecting all sensor wiring connections and batteries if applicable. Faulty wiring is a common cause of intermittent sensor failures.

Also check for any physical damage, corrosion, misalignment with magnets or foreign debris interfering with sensors.

Relocating wireless sensors closer to the control panel may help improve connectivity. If issues persist, contact your security provider for support.

How Often Should I Change My Alarm Passcode?

Alarm system passcodes should be changed at least every 6 months, if not more frequently.

This helps prevent passcode theft or guessing, especially if using an easily guessed code like an anniversary date or birthday.

Also avoid sharing your passcode or storing it anywhere accessible. Changing it routinely improves security against intruders accessing your system.

What Is The Best Way To Reinforce Exterior Doors?

Reinforcing doors with solid wood or steel construction, high-quality deadbolts with 1-inch throws, jamb armor plates, wraparound door frames anchored to studs, and heavy-duty strike plates secured with 3-inch screws will make them extremely resistant to forced entry.

A locksmith can advise the best reinforcement methods tailored for your specific doors.

Can a Burglar Really Hack My Wireless Alarm System?

While it is possible for skilled hackers to breach alarm systems, the risk is relatively low with proper security protocols.

Always keep your system updated, change default settings, enable encryption, use complex unique passcodes, avoid public wifi, inspect activity logs, and correct any strange behavior immediately.

Practicing these basics makes hacking very difficult.

When Should I Request a Service Call For My Security System?

Contact your security provider right away if you experience recurring faults, get tamper alerts, notice strange activity in system logs, see signs of physical interference with sensors or wiring, have difficulties arming your system, or feel your system may have been compromised in any way.

It is always better to request a preventative service call when issues first arise than waiting until after a break-in occurs.

Conclusion

In summary, door sensors can be bypassed but there are key steps you must take to reduce the risk significantly.

Always use tamper-resistant models, conceal wires and hardware, reinforce doors, add glass break sensors, routinely inspect your system, and leverage professional support.

Following security best practices, getting the right equipment, and layering defenses ensures your home stays protected.

Don’t wait until it’s too late – take action now to keep intruders out.