In 2022, at a private event in Las Vegas, researchers attempted to hack into a hotel room using an Android phone. Fast forward to 2024, a team of security researchers has uncovered a vulnerability in Saflok electronic RFID locks made by Dormakaba, allowing access to over three million hotel rooms worldwide.

Here’s how the hack works:

– Obtain a keycard from the target hotel
– Use an RFID writer-reader to read a code from the card and create two keycards
– Tap the two cards on the lock – the first one rewrites part of the lock’s data, and the second one opens the door

If you have an Android phone with Near-Field Communication (NFC) support, you can replace the two keycards with your phone. Simply download a signal-emitting app and use your phone to emit a signal to unlock the door.

This isn’t the first time such vulnerabilities have been exposed. In 2012, a hacker revealed a similar exploit in locks made by Onity, leading to criminal activities in hotel rooms. To prevent such incidents, security researchers are working closely with Dormakaba to address this vulnerability responsibly.

At Phones Canada, we prioritize security and aim to keep our readers informed about potential risks in telecommunications technologies. Stay tuned for more updates on how to stay safe in this digital age.