Fascination with lockpicking has been around as long as locks. Indeed, locksmiths are regarded as almost the high priests of home security.
Stories about $200 locks on $25 doors and $25 locks on $200 doors are a part of police lore, the part that keeps police shaking their heads in disbelief at human naivety.
But, these days, how secure is a $200 lock on a $200 door? In fact, the answer is "not very." Only one lock manufacturer in North America can advertise an unpickable pin tumbler lock. As for the others, their locks have all been beaten.
For decades, locksmithing correspondence courses have been offered in small advertisements in the classifieds and on the back pages of comic books and periodicals. The courses have been particularly popular among prison inmates seeking to "learn" a trade, appear rehabilitated, and secure an early parole. At least, so they said.
These courses are legitimate, illicit motives notwithstanding. Students are supplied with an array of sample locks, key blanks, key cutting equipment, shims, instruction lessons, and a few lockpicks. Fortunately, perhaps, most of this hardware is outdated.
Pin tumbler locks have survived, in part because they have become more refined. Mailboxes - millions of them - have pin tumbler locks. So does the average door. We should feel secure. After all, not many people walk around with lockpicks in their pockets - that's James Bond stuff. Fewer still know how to make master keys.
Thanks to advances of technology and the availability of the Internet, however, we shouldn't breathe so easily. Literally, there may be a "bump" in our locks, something like an error message on our PC's. Thousands of people have taken up lockpicking as a hobby, and they share information on the Internet. One of the items they talk about is called a "bump key."
How does it work? Take the key to your apartment mailbox. You may notice that your key fits all of the other mailboxes in your building, though it won't open them. However, with a couple of minor modifications, your key can open all of them. You've made yourself a bump key, and how to use it takes about 15 minutes of practice. Any key that will fit into a lock can be modified to fit any similar lock. Simple as that, and thanks to the Internet, anyone who wants to know how can quickly learn how.
Criminals no longer have to worry about carrying lockpicks, i.e., being arrested for possession of burglary tools. Now, an innocuous-looking key on a key chain works wonders and does so in a lot less time than fiddly lockpicks. Indeed, lockpicking may be destined to become as arcane a criminal craft as check forgery, once considered an elitist skill par excellence.
This bump key business is certainly disturbing news. How do we protect ourselves from burglars or from identity thieves? Like crossing a moat teeming with half-starved piranhas? A steel bar across the inside of the door is still recommended as a safeguard, but not at all convenient, of course, if you are outside your house and need to get in.
How about some of the electronic gizmos? Maybe, but remember, technology-wise, some of the criminals are just as savvy as the security specialists. Next up: a review of some of these electronic gizmos and - without aiding and abetting - a quick rundown on how most have already been compromised, some even before they hit the market.
