The Long Island Opener Obsolescence Crisis: Why 2025’s Cybersecurity Standards Are Making Older Models Unsafe to Operate
As we move deeper into 2025, Long Island homeowners are facing an unprecedented challenge: their trusted garage door openers are becoming digital security liabilities. The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for consumer-grade IoT devices, will be open for business in 2025, applying to consumer wireless IoT products including garage door openers. This new federal initiative is exposing a harsh reality – millions of older garage door openers across Nassau and Suffolk counties lack the basic cybersecurity features needed to protect homes from modern digital threats.
The Federal Push for Smart Device Security
The US Federal Communications Commission has already announced the conditional approval of 11 companies as Cybersecurity Label Administrators and the conditional selection of UL Solutions as the Lead Administrator. This program represents a significant shift in how we approach home security, particularly for devices like garage door openers that serve as primary entry points to our homes.
OMB’s most recent extension of approval for the Safety Standard for Automatic Residential Garage Door Operators will expire on September 30, 2025, creating additional pressure for homeowners to evaluate their current systems against evolving safety and security standards.
Why Older Garage Door Openers Are Becoming Security Risks
The cybersecurity vulnerabilities in older garage door systems are well-documented and increasingly exploited. Older garage door openers use fixed codes, commonly referred to as dip switches, meaning that every time you use your garage door opener, the device uses the same code to grant you entry. This fundamental design flaw makes them vulnerable to multiple attack methods.
A security expert named Samy Kamkar discovered that he could hack his garage door opener using a readily available child’s toy, modifying the IM-ME messaging device to identify the correct code in under 10 seconds with older fixed code openers. Even more concerning, the brute force attack method can transmit every possible code to the door in about 29 minutes, with some techniques reducing this to just 6 minutes.
The Rolling Code Revolution and Modern Security Standards
Modern garage door openers have evolved significantly to address these vulnerabilities. Most garage door openers now use rolling codes, which use a proprietary coding system that selects a new code from billions of possible combinations each time the system is activated. After 1993, most garage door opener manufacturers switched to rolling code technology, meaning the code will change every time you press the button on your remote.
Garage door opener manufacturers in 2025 have responded with enhanced security technologies that prioritize user safety, including encrypted signals using rolling code technology to prevent hacking or duplication.
The Internet of Things Security Challenge
Smart garage door openers, while offering unprecedented convenience, introduce new cybersecurity challenges. Garage door controllers, smart plugs, and smart alarms sold by Nexx contain cybersecurity vulnerabilities that could enable cyberattackers to crack open home garage doors according to the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). These vulnerabilities highlight why the new federal cybersecurity standards are so critical.
Smart garage door openers can be hacked, and their internet connectivity makes them vulnerable to cyber threats. To balance convenience and security, it’s essential to choose a smart garage door opener with robust security features, such as rolling code technology, two-factor authentication, and encryption.
What Long Island Homeowners Need to Know
The implications for Long Island residents are clear: older garage door openers manufactured before the mid-1990s represent significant security vulnerabilities. Openers manufactured before 1993 often lack rolling code technology, making them easier to hack. There are some manufacturers that are still producing openers with dip switches, including Nortek / Linear / Multi-Code and NSCD/North Shore Commercial Door. Older models from vendors such as Chamberlain and Liftmaster can also be vulnerable.
For homeowners concerned about their current systems, the best method to check your opener is to check the remote. If you open the remote and find dip switches, you should upgrade the opening system immediately.
The Path Forward: Professional Assessment and Replacement
Given the evolving cybersecurity landscape and new federal standards, Long Island homeowners should prioritize professional evaluation of their garage door systems. Rolling code technology is essential in 2025, and if your opener is more than 10 years old, it may not have this feature. Upgrading to a newer opener with rolling code tech is a smart move to protect your home.
For residents seeking professional guidance and secure Garage Door Opener Replacement Long Island, NY, working with experienced local contractors ensures proper installation of modern, cybersecurity-compliant systems that meet 2025’s elevated safety standards.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Garage Door Security
In 2025, garage door opener innovations have transformed everyday convenience into a seamless blend of advanced technology and smart automation, with cutting-edge features like keyless entry, smart home integration, and AI-powered automation setting new standards. The federal cybersecurity labeling program represents just the beginning of a broader transformation in how we secure our homes’ entry points.
The obsolescence crisis facing older garage door openers isn’t just about compliance – it’s about protecting Long Island families from very real security threats. As cybercriminals become more sophisticated and federal standards become more stringent, the window for upgrading vulnerable systems is rapidly closing. Homeowners who act now to assess and upgrade their garage door systems will be better positioned to protect their homes and families in our increasingly connected world.