Hacker News Reader

Nice usage!

At my place, I have a group ("Gate") set up in Google Voice which forwards the number to my cell phone and if I can't access my phone, then the custom voicemail that caller hears is the DTMF key ("9" in my case) sound and so if I am not able to get the phone, it will automatically buzz them in.

View on HN

So anyone who dials your apartment gets through the gate?

No, only the people dialing from numbers he's added to his "Gate" group in GV.

The way these systems usually work, the call comes FROM the keypad/speakerphone at the gate, TO your home number. That's how it can recognize the DTMF and open the gate.

If the call were coming FROM his friends mobiles, TO Google Voice, how would the gate intercept the DTMF? Note that he says the group includes "the number," not "the numbers."

The original article states that it is possible to set up a system this way, such that anyone who calls gets in, but it is insecure.

This is a bit late.. but yes, anyone who dials me (and if I do not answer the call will be able to enter). If I do answer the call, I can just end it without pressing "9" to make sure they cannot get in. Since my T-mobile connection is spotty, I would rather not have my guests stuck outside and am willing to take the risk (although a persistent criminal would be able to enter the complex anyway).

Reply on news.ycombinator.com