Amazon Key In-Home Package Delivery Examined

By: Brian Karas, Published on Nov 21, 2017

Interesting idea or invitation for criminals to rob you?

Amazon's recent announcement of Key, a service that will help manage visitors, welcoming certain ones into your house for you, has drawn significant attention, but not all positive.

This new service from Amazon ties into their recently released security camera (see our test results) and selected smart locks, creating a method to enable delivery and service people to enter your home when you are not there to let them in.

We examine Amazon Key, both in terms of the core service (enabling secure access to your house when you are away), and what it shows of Amazon's overall strategies in the home security segment.

Amazon *** ********

******'* **** ***** ********** the ***** ******* ****** of ***:

  • ******** ******** ** ** delivered ****** **** ****
  • ******** ******** **** *** walkers ** ******** ****** access ***** *** *** away
  • ********* ************* *** ***** clips ** ***** *******

***** **** **** ** an****** ***************, ***** ** $**/****. 

Requires *********** ****** ***** *** ******** ****** + ***** ********

** ***** ** ******* Key, ***** ************ * ******** ******** * *********** version ********'* ***** ***, **** * ****** controllable ******** *** ~$***. The ****** ** ** indoor-only *****, *** **** be ********* **** *** front **** (**** ** provide ***** ** **********, and ** **** ** can *********** *** ** with *** ************ ********). In *** *****, ******** *** ********* ******, ****** ** *********** useless *** **** ***** than ******** * ***** door ****** ******** *****.

Free ************

****** ** ******** **** installation ** *** ***** Cam *** ******** **** the ********:

** ************ ******* ** offered *** *** ***** Cam, *** ******* ********* are ~$** *** ******'* "Expert ************" ******, ****** the **** ******* ******** valuable ** ****** ******* considering * ***** **** and *** ******* ** do *** ************ **********:

 

Limited ** ****** ********* *** ********

**-**** ********** *** ******** are ******* ** ***** purchased ******* ******. ********** are **** ** ******'* logistics ***********, ***** *** typically ***** ************** ** regional ******** *********. ****** states **** *** ******* doing *** ********** *** vetted **** ********** ******. For ******* ******, **** as ******** ** *** walkers, *** ******* **** be ****** ******* ******'* **** ******** *********, ***** ***** ***** are ******* ** ******* providers ** ******'* ******** for ********** ******, ****** they *** ******** ****** and **-**** *** ***** deadbolt ******* ** *** to ***** ****** ** outside *********.

Delivery/Service ********* ****** ** *****

******* ********** **** ** placed "**** ****** *** doorway", ********** *** ****** delivery ****** **** ** the ******** ** *** house. *** ***** *** is ****** **** *** door, ******** *** ********* to ***** *** ******** live, ** ****** ** for ***** *******. ******* people ******* *** **** access ** ******** ******, such ** *** ******** services, ***** ***** ******* the ********* **** ****** continuous ******* ** *** service ****** ** ***** home, ****** **** ****** Cloud **** ********** *** entire *********, ***** ** unlikely ** ** ********* for ******* ** **** price *** *******.

Security ********

******** **** *** ***** used ** * *** for *******, ** ****** killers, ** **** ****** to ********* ****** ** ******* social ***** *******. ***** ****** ****** the ****** ******* *** a **** ******* ** Key ** ******* ********** by ******, ********* ** Amazon's ************ ****** **** many ********* ** *** have ***** ** ****** to **** ***** ***** secure.

* **** ** ***, showing *** *** ****** could ** ******** **** outside *** *****, ***** * **** deauth ******, *** ******** shortly ***** ******. ***** the **** ******** ******* points **** **** ** clear ** ** *** a **** ***** ******, it **** *** **** Amazon ******** **** ****-***** customers **** *** **** not **** ********* *** *********** persons ** **** ****** to ***** ****. ****** stated **** **** ******* a ******** ****** ** minimize *** ******* ** the **** ****** ****** being ************ ********* ** ****** with *** ***** ***/*** service.

*******, *** *** ** no **** ** * threat **** *** ***** remote-controllable ********, *** ***** offered *** ****** ***** that ** *** *** potential *** * ***** install ****. *** *********** with ****** ***** ** an ********** ****** *** hackers, ** *** ***** would ****** **** **** scale *********, ***** *** ******* happened **** ******* *********** the ****-***** **** ****** attack ****** ************ ********** with ***.

"Happiness *********" - $*,*** ********* *****

****** ** ******** * "********* *********" *** *** ***** states:

**********, ** ********* ********* to ******, *** ******** to **** **** *********, as *** ******** ****** should *********** *** **** to ***** *** *********. However, **-**** ******** *** open ** ****** *********** for ******, ** ***** providers **** **** ****** to ******** ****** ******** to ** ******* ** cameras. **** ******** **** only ******* ** ****** granted ******** ** ***, if ***** ****** ** manually ***** ******* ******* into ***** **** **** do *** ******* *** the ********* ********* **********.

Initial ******* - ** ****

*** **** ** ********* in ***** * ***** major ** ************ ***** initially. ****** *** *** announced ***** *** ************ outside ** *** **.

Key *********** 

***** *** *** ******* limitations, ********* **** *** alarm *******, **** *** prevent **** ***** **** using ***:

****** **** *** ********* using *** ** ***** have ****-******* **** ** the *****:

******* *** **** *** have ******** ****** ************, users **** ** ****** home ******** ******* ** they *** ********* ********** or ******* ****** ******** the **** ***** ***:

Amazon's ***** **** **** ************ ******

*** ***** *** ***** that ****** ** *** ****** to ******* ******** **** companies **** **** *** Ring, *** *** *********** sellers ** ********-******** ************ cameras ** ******. ***** ******'* Cloud *** ** ** unimpressive ***** *****, *** little ****** ** *********** camera *********, ** ** sufficient *** *** **** purpose ** ******* ***** doors, *** ****** **** likely ******* *** ****** over ****. ** ***** anticipate ****** ********** ******** an ******* ******* ** well.

*** *** *** ***** Cam **** ****** ****** more ******** ****-**, ******** that *** *** ******* becomes *******. ** ******** it ** **** ******* with ******'* ******, ********* are ****** ** ******** additional ***** **** ****** they ****** ** ****** their ************ ********. 

********

Comments (11)

Undisclosed Integrator #1

11/21/17 07:52pm

This is a good idea, in theory.  But when you get down to liabilities and insurance I can't imagine this working well.  I know delivery theft is a growing concern, but placing a Ring doorbell or similar can help with that without giving access to my house to delivery people.  They may be well vetted and background checked, but who knows what kind of friends they have or know that they can give information on what you have, when you're not home, etc.  Couple that with the fact that I can't have my dog walking around my house when a delivery is coming and I have to disarm my house alarm, makes this a non-starter for me.

Shannon Davis

TED Systems
11/22/17 12:34pm

One of the test sites is here locally in Kansas City, KS. When the news interviewed people and the radio talk shows had people call in about this service most were against this service unless maybe you had a screened in porch you could put this lock on so they couldn't gain access to the interior of your home. Although when they interviewed Millennials more of them were interested in this type of service. Wal-Mart is also testing this service in San Francisco for it's home delivery service as well. It is good in theory. Heck I remember as a kid my parents would leave the back door unlocked and a blank check on the freezer for the Schwan's delivery. We are in much different times these days though.

Undisclosed End User #4

In reply to Shannon Davis | 11/29/17 03:36pm

I could really only see using this if I had a garage, shed, or some other area that did not have access to the rest of the house sort of like you said. I don't like the idea of having strangers being able to enter the house at all. It just feels like it's undermining the purpose of a deadbolt in the first place.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #2

11/22/17 02:47pm

From time to time, a public company releases certain news just for timing purpose, and perhaps that's case here.    This ridiculous so called smart solution was announced back on 10/25.  The very next day,  QR came out and AMZN got a big boost.  Rest is history.

No one takes it seriously is my bid.  

 

Undisclosed Manufacturer #3

11/22/17 11:36pm

Been traveling with airbnb for almost 1 year. People gave me keys to their apartments. at some point i wondered why the trust..and then it hit me: what could i have stole?Their tv ? Their furniture?  The world is changing to the point were most of the people are not affraid to checking at airport and say they will leave country for 3 days.

 

Robert Shih

Independent
11/27/17 05:05pm

In no uncertain, but certainly inelegant terms: "Hell no!"

WAAAAY too many possibilities for exploits of both a technical and social engineering nature.

Avatar

Campbell Chang

11/28/17 02:11am

It's such an odd concept that there's even a market for this.

 

In Australia, if you aren't home, you're left with a slip that tells you that the courier has been and to go get your package from your local collection spot (a local gas station or pharmacy or something) or if its Aus Post, then pick it up from the post office.

Avatar

Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC
11/28/17 03:10pm

I already have UPS deliver my packages inside my garage with a keypad for my overhead door. But, I know my UPS driver well enough to trust him. I have seen the level of people Amazon uses for Key delivery in my area and I would NOT trust them in my home.

My adult daughter saw a Key delivery driver approach our house and was really scared. The vehicle driven was a mid 90's beat up Cadillac and their non-uniformed "runner" hopped out before the car stopped and sprinted to our door with the package. Never knocked or rang the bell. Just dropped the box and sprinted back.

The should at least drive company provided vehicles, or at least put a magnetized decal on the door. Also, a standard, company issued polo shirt shouldn't be too much to ask for the employees.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #5

12/07/17 11:16pm

DoS hack left a frozen image while someone enters the house. https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-key-flaw-let-deliverymen-disable-your-camera/

Undisclosed End User #6

02/06/18 11:41am

''Break and Enter dropbox'', attack with Amazon Key (smartlock and smartcam combo)

Exploit appears to involve leaving a device hidden to capture wireless packets and repeat (re transmit) after package delivered to gain entry.

Avatar

Brian Karas

In reply to Undisclosed End User #6 | 02/06/18 01:10pm

Looks very similar to the replay attack approach from the SoftwareHouse vulnerability. Should be an easy fix, but still potentially leaves customers exposed.

Read this IPVM report for free.

This article is part of IPVM's 6,538 reports, 881 tests and is only available to members. To get a one-time preview of our work, enter your work email to access the full article.

Already a member? Login here | Join now

Related Reports

OnTech Smart Services Partners With Google and Amazon To Compete With Integrators on Sep 25, 2020
A pain point for many homeowners to use consumer security and surveillance is...
SimpliSafe Business Security Launched Examined on Sep 22, 2020
SimpliSafe has launched "SimpliSafe Business Security" that the company...
Verkada Disruptive Embedded Live Help on Sep 24, 2020
Call up your integrator? Have someone come by the next day? Verkada is...
Startup Solink $17 Million USD Fund Raise Expands To Mass Market on Jun 24, 2020
Solink has raised ~$17 million USD, a sizeable round for the company that...
Keypads For Access Control Tutorial on Jul 28, 2020
Keypad readers present huge risks to even the best access systems. If...
The Guide To The NDAA Video Surveillance Ban / Blacklists on Aug 24, 2020
This 25-page guide provides a reference to the NDAA ban and blacklist. The US...
Uniview Deep Learning Camera Tested on Jul 14, 2020
Uniview's intrusion analytics have performed poorly in our shootouts. Now,...
Verkada Speaks On Disrupting Security Sales Channel on Aug 28, 2020
Verkada's fast growth has taken the industry by storm and their enterprise...
Deep Sentinel Presents Crime Response For Business on Jun 11, 2020
Deep Sentinel presented its anti-intrusion and live response for home and...
Startup Monitoreal Presents Home Object Detection AI on Aug 24, 2020
Monitoreal presented its on-premise only object detection AI at the 2020 IPVM...
Milestone XProtect on AWS Tested on Sep 21, 2020
Milestone finally launched multiple cloud solutions in 2020, taking a...
US GSA Explains NDAA 889 Part B Blacklisting on Jul 31, 2020
With the 'Blacklist Clause' going into effect August 13 that bans the US...
ADI Branch Burglary on Apr 03, 2020
A security systems distributor branch is an odd target for burglary but that...
Verkada Access Control Tested on Sep 09, 2020
Verkada raised $80 million earlier in 2020, expanding from video into access...
Startup Boulder AI Presents Edge to Cloud Physical Security on Sep 01, 2020
Boulder AI, a deep learning startup taking on custom analytics projects with...

Recent Reports

Hanwha AI Object Detection Tested on Sep 28, 2020
Hanwha has added detection and classification of people, cars, clothing...
Favorite Access Control Manufacturers 2020 on Sep 28, 2020
200+ Integrators told IPVM "What is your favorite access control management...
New Products Show Fall 2020 Starts Tomorrow! on Sep 27, 2020
Tomorrow, IPVM's sixth online show will feature New Products from over 25...
OnTech Smart Services Partners With Google and Amazon To Compete With Integrators on Sep 25, 2020
A pain point for many homeowners to use consumer security and surveillance is...
The Future of Metalens For Video Surveillance Cameras - MIT / UMass / Immervision on Sep 25, 2020
Panoramic cameras using 'fisheye' lens have become commonplace in video...
Hikvision Sues Over Brazilian Airport Loss on Sep 24, 2020
Hikvision was excluded from a Brazilian airport project because it is owned...
China General Chamber of Commerce Calls Out US Politics on Sep 24, 2020
While US-China relations are at an all-time low, optimism about relations...
Verkada Disruptive Embedded Live Help on Sep 24, 2020
Call up your integrator? Have someone come by the next day? Verkada is...
IP Networking Course Fall 2020 - Last Chance - Register Now on Sep 23, 2020
Today is the last chance to register for the only IP networking course...
Drain Wire For Access Control Reader Tutorial on Sep 23, 2020
An easy-to-miss cabling specification plays a key role in access control, yet...
Norway Council of Ethics Finds Hikvision Human Rights Abuses "Ongoing" on Sep 23, 2020
Hikvision's involvement in "serious human rights abuse" in Xinjiang is...
IPVM Camera Calculator User Manual / Guide on Sep 23, 2020
Learn how to use the IPVM Camera Calculator (updated for Version 3.1). The...
Installation Course Fall 2020 - Save $50 - Last Chance on Sep 22, 2020
This is a unique installation course in a market where little practical...
SimpliSafe Business Security Launched Examined on Sep 22, 2020
SimpliSafe has launched "SimpliSafe Business Security" that the company...
FLIR CEO: Many New Fever Entrants "Making Claims That The Science Just Won't Support" on Sep 22, 2020
FLIR's CEO joins a growing number calling out risks with fever / screening...