[perl4ever]

In my apartment building, there are package lockers along with the mailboxes, and the empty package lockers have keys in them. When you get a package, the key is removed and put in your mailbox. You thus try the key in the lockers that don't have one and leave it after removing the package. I'm curious how "automation" can improve significantly on this system.

[mynameisvlad]

Yes, my old apartment building had these style lockers too. The downside of those (at least in my building) was that they were for use only by USPS. UPS/FedEx/etc still had to go through the regular package delivery process.

Automation improves it by allowing all carriers access to the box (no carrier key to use, it's all based on codes) and also generating one-time codes that can't be copied or otherwise readily stolen to access the packages.

[flamedoge]

I always thought that this was ripe for theft. I mean key is there... Instead of having a key, they could have mechanically programmable combination lock.. and leave the key on paper in the mailbox or email or SMS, w/e.

[mynameisvlad]

If I'm thinking of the same ones the parent comment was thinking of, then the key is only removable by the carrier. Of course, if you get a package, you can always copy the key while it's in your possession.

That said, no solution will ever be foolproof. If the attacker wants it bad enough and has physical access to the locker, they'll be able to get to your package. Whether it's copying the key, cracking the code, picking the lock, or just tearing it open. With enough determination, your stuff can get stolen. It just becomes a legal matter at that point.

[flamedoge]

yea a safe alone is not a secure method of store. It's just matter of time and safer methods only delay opening more. It's still a good tradeoff in my opinion between privacy and secure storage.

[morgante]

The vast majority of packages don't need extreme security.

Personally I don't care about security of my packages at all—they just sit outside my door for me. If one is lost/stolen, Amazon will happily replace it.

[flamedoge]

Anecdotally, I've had a phone delivered to me but my neighbour took it in fearing getting stolen and then later gave it to me after I've reported Amazon as not delivered by due date and carrier has confirmed having delivered by the door. This was in apartment setting so everyone was acting reasonably. Amazon ended up shipping me another phone and I ended up with two phones. I think I just prefer the idea of things getting delivered with determinism and security--just so that it saves everyone time and effort. I may be a bit paranoid about this.