Lock Bumping Hits The Net

For those who have not heard the term lock bumping, let me explain. This is a lock-picking technique for opening pin tumbler locks (used on most North American homes). This procedure is done by altering a key to gain access to locks of the same type.

Lock bumping has been around for at least 50 years. German and Dutch locksmiths were experimenting with this lock-opening technique long before the rest of the world even knew about it.

A fellow by the name of Klaus Noch exposed the dangers of lock bumping techniques and alerted the German media in 2003. In 2004, The Organization of Open Lock Pickers (TOOOL) conducted their own research, resulting in the first white paper report being released in 2005.

The Dutch public learned about it in mid-2005 through a NOVA television broadcast. Lock bumping escalated at the world-famous What The Hack lock-picking conference and hit Internet sites in 2006.

Should you be aware of lock bumping? Absolutely. Should you panic because you are in danger of having your lock bumped? No! The chances of having your locked bumped are probably no greater than they were before this hype started.

Statistics show most break-and-enters are executed by kicking or shouldering doors. Your first line of defense would be to toughen target areas by installing reinforcing hardware along with door frame reinforcement strike plates.

Most people tuning into the web for information on lock bumping are concerned citizens or security professionals. Dark-side viewers turning out bump keys have probably sourced other methods or techniques to gain entry into your home. Measures need to be taken to prevent the Internet from broadcasting videos and information that could endanger the safekeeping of our communities.

But take heed, lock bumping may not work on your lock, depending on the kind of lock you have bought. Most mainstream locks sold today have some protection against bumping. Locks four years or older should be evaluated by a locksmith.

Companies like Mul-T-Lock and Medeco produce high security deadbolts that are bump resistant. The beauty of installing these types of deadbolts is the keys are patented and controlled by the locksmith dealer who installed them. This prevents a burglar from obtaining a blank for bumping purposes, not to mention keys need to be produced on special machines.

Another alternative would be to install extra deadbolts on your exterior doors with thumb turns on the inside and no key access outside. Once these deadbolts are locked, a bumper would be locked out.

Of course you would now have to install a high security cylinder in your entry door deadbolt for access.

If you are concerned about lock-bumping, check with your local locksmith.

Frank Fourchalk is widely recognized for his sustained commitment to education in Home and Business security throughout North America as a result of his syndicated newspaper columns. Mr. Fourchalk has written for The Toronto Star, The Vancouver Province, and several other daily newspapers including the New York Post.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 at 5:48 am and is filed under Home Security . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.