Key Bumping and High Security Locks
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Key bumping has become a big issue lately. The big video server companies and
inexpensive video cameras have allowed demonstrations of key bumping to become
widespread all over the Internet. First we should know that key bumping is not a new
technique, it has been around for many years. With that being said, the wide spread
dissemination of this technique does cause there to be a greater danger to the general
public. You can type "key bumping" into any Internet search engine and it will return
thousands of pages with information about the technique. There are also many videos
available that instruct every step of the process. I definitely think that an intruder with a pick
set is more likely to get into your house than one with a set of bump keys. This is especially
true if you have an unusual key way. I am going to discuss some ways to make your house
a little more resistant to key bumping and picking.
First thing I would suggest is installing a Kaba Ilco Simplex 900 lock. These locks are less
than $100 USD. They come in many different finishes and a spring-latch version and a
dead-bolt version. I think the dead-bolt version is a little bit more resistant to a door spread
attack. These locks are keyless. You open the lock by pressing five buttons in the correct
order. Two or three buttons can be pushed simultaneously as well. There is a way that this
lock can be manipulated open. If three or less buttons are used in the combination a
trained person can figure out which buttons are used and input all possible combinations
for those three buttons until the lock opens. This threat is easily mitigated by simply using
all five buttons in the combination. A great feature of this lock is also that the combination
can be changed quickly and often if necessary. If you have a house sitter or have to grant
temporary access to someone you can simply change the combination when that access
is no longer necessary. This lock is surface mounted and easily installed by drilling some
holes through the door. If you get this lock with a key over-ride you defeat the purpose of
using it to stop the risk of your door locks being bumped or picked. I would suggest
installing this in addition to what you may already have on your door if possible.
Another option would be to have your current locks replaced with high security locks.
Medeco and Abloy Protec are two companies that make high security locks. These locks
are very expensive to average home owner. It may cost $200 USD or more to have your
locks retrofit with one of the high security locks. Schlage Primus and other companies also
make high security key locks. Abloy Protec makes the claim that their locks are bump proof.
By:
John Leonard
Investigator
Versatek, LLC
www.versateksecurity.com
October 1, 2007
inexpensive video cameras have allowed demonstrations of key bumping to become
widespread all over the Internet. First we should know that key bumping is not a new
technique, it has been around for many years. With that being said, the wide spread
dissemination of this technique does cause there to be a greater danger to the general
public. You can type "key bumping" into any Internet search engine and it will return
thousands of pages with information about the technique. There are also many videos
available that instruct every step of the process. I definitely think that an intruder with a pick
set is more likely to get into your house than one with a set of bump keys. This is especially
true if you have an unusual key way. I am going to discuss some ways to make your house
a little more resistant to key bumping and picking.
First thing I would suggest is installing a Kaba Ilco Simplex 900 lock. These locks are less
than $100 USD. They come in many different finishes and a spring-latch version and a
dead-bolt version. I think the dead-bolt version is a little bit more resistant to a door spread
attack. These locks are keyless. You open the lock by pressing five buttons in the correct
order. Two or three buttons can be pushed simultaneously as well. There is a way that this
lock can be manipulated open. If three or less buttons are used in the combination a
trained person can figure out which buttons are used and input all possible combinations
for those three buttons until the lock opens. This threat is easily mitigated by simply using
all five buttons in the combination. A great feature of this lock is also that the combination
can be changed quickly and often if necessary. If you have a house sitter or have to grant
temporary access to someone you can simply change the combination when that access
is no longer necessary. This lock is surface mounted and easily installed by drilling some
holes through the door. If you get this lock with a key over-ride you defeat the purpose of
using it to stop the risk of your door locks being bumped or picked. I would suggest
installing this in addition to what you may already have on your door if possible.
Another option would be to have your current locks replaced with high security locks.
Medeco and Abloy Protec are two companies that make high security locks. These locks
are very expensive to average home owner. It may cost $200 USD or more to have your
locks retrofit with one of the high security locks. Schlage Primus and other companies also
make high security key locks. Abloy Protec makes the claim that their locks are bump proof.
By:
John Leonard
Investigator
Versatek, LLC
www.versateksecurity.com
October 1, 2007
