Hotel door locks not as safe as we think

Many of us are spending at least a few nights this summer in hotel rooms. However, millions of those rooms may not be as secure as we think.

A hacker is making headlines this week by demonstrating at a national software conference in Las Vegas how easily he can pick hotel swipe card locks.

Forbes Magazine reports the man is able to plug a portable programming device into the door locks found in many hotels. He can then open the doors in seconds. The hacker claims he has never done this, but is just demonstrating it to show a vulnerability.

How can you protect yourself?

Security experts say:

      -You should never consider any hotel room 100 percent secure.

     -Use the extra dead bolt any time you are in the room.

     -Keep valuables with you or in a safe when you go out.

Hotel chains are not yet responding to these claims, but say room break-ins are very rare. They also say there's no evidence of anyone hacking electronic door locks.

But it's another reason to keep that dead bolt on, and take your iPad with you when you go down to breakfast.

As always, don't waste your money.
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