Lock Bumping Blog » Resources http://lockbumping.org/blog Public service site about lock bumping! Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:54:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Counter Measures – Lock Bumping – Bump Key Defense http://lockbumping.org/blog/2011/02/24/counter-measures-lock-bumping-bump-key-defense/ http://lockbumping.org/blog/2011/02/24/counter-measures-lock-bumping-bump-key-defense/#comments Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:56:06 +0000 Administrator http://lockbumping.org/blog/?p=27 High-quality locks may be more vulnerable to lock bumping unless they employ specific countermeasures. More precise manufacturing tolerances within the cylinder make bumping easier because the mechanical tolerances of the lock are smaller, which means there is less loss of force in other directions and mostly pins move more freely and smoothly. Locks made of hardened steel are more vulnerable because they are less prone to damage during the bumping process that might cause a cheaper lock to jam.

Locks having security pins (e.g. spool or mushroom pins)—even when combined with a regular tumbler mechanism—generally make bumping somewhat more difficult but not impossible.

Because a bump key must only have the same blank profile as the lock it is made to open, restricted or registered key profiles are not any safer from bumping. While the correct key blanks cannot be obtained legally without permission or registration with relevant locksmith associations, regular keys can be filed down to act as bumpkeys.

Locks that have trap pins that engage when a pin does not support them will jam a lock’s cylinder. Another countermeasure is shallow drilling, in which one or more of the pin stacks is drilled slightly shallower than the others. If an attempt were made on a lock that has shallow drilled pin stacks, the bump key will be unable to bump the shallow drilled pins because they are too high for the bump key to engage.

Locks that only use programmable side bars and not top pins are bump proof. Bilock is an example of this technology. Many bump-resistant locks are available which can not be easily opened through the lock bumping method. Baldwin and Schlage are two brands that offer bump resistant locks

Electronic locks, magnetic locks, and locks using rotating disks, such as disc tumbler locks, are inherently invulnerable to this attack, since their mechanism does not contain springs. However, some electronic locks feature a key backup that is susceptible to lock bumping.

]]> http://lockbumping.org/blog/2011/02/24/counter-measures-lock-bumping-bump-key-defense/feed/ 0 Lock Bumping Information http://lockbumping.org/blog/2011/02/19/lock-bumping-information/ http://lockbumping.org/blog/2011/02/19/lock-bumping-information/#comments Sat, 19 Feb 2011 21:00:31 +0000 Administrator http://lockbumping.org/blog/?p=22

Lock bumping information, if you are reading this then some how you have been informed of lock bumping or have seen one of the many videos on lock bumping. We have put together the basics of lock bumping. Our site is dedicated to informing the public on lock bumping and providing as much information as we can so that you can make an informed judgement as to whether it is a threat to you or not. Below are some bullet points.

  • 90+% of American doors use an old style cylinder lock which is vulnerable to a bump key.
  • Your door lock can even be lock bumped by a 10 year old child.
  • Anyone can make some lock bumping keys in 5 minutes or less.
  • When a lock bumping key is used to break into your house then there is no signs of forced entry or damage to the lock. This makes the insurance companies very weary in paying for the claim. You could loose everything and not get compensated because of lock bumping and lock bumping keys.
  • With the digital underworl abuzz about the new lock bumping threat, safety experts say it’s time to protect yourself against it.

    • If you need more information please visit our home page at

    Lock Bumping .org

    ]]>     http://lockbumping.org/blog/2011/02/19/lock-bumping-information/feed/ 0     Lock Bumping and High Security Locks http://lockbumping.org/blog/2011/02/19/lock-bumping-and-high-security-locks/ http://lockbumping.org/blog/2011/02/19/lock-bumping-and-high-security-locks/#comments Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:39:46 +0000 Administrator http://lockbumping.org/blog/?p=17 In order for a High Security lock to earn the UL listing High Security to fight lock bumping , a lock or cylinder must meet strict construction guidelines and a sample model must pass rigorous performance and attack tests. Some of the requirements are as follows:

    • All working parts of the mechanism must be constructed of brass, bronze, stainless steel, or equivalent corrosion-resistant materials or have a protective finish complying with UL’s Salt Spray Corrosion test.
    • Have at least 1000 key changes
    • Operate as intended during 10,000 complete cycles of operation at a rate not exceeding 50 cycles per minute.
    • The lock must not open or be compromised as a result of attack tests using hammers, chisels, screwdrivers, jaw-gripping wrenches, pliers, hand-held electic drills, saws, puller mechanisms, key impressioning tools, and picking tools.

    The attack test includes 10 minutes of picking, 10 minutes of key impressioning, 5 minutes of forcing, 5 minutes of drilling, 5 minutes of sawing, 5 minutes of prying, 5 minutes of pulling and 5 minutes of driving.

    Another important factor in lock bumping security is key control. The most secure locks have patented key blanks that are available only from the lock manufacturer. At the next level of key control are key blanks that can be cut only on special key machines. This type of key control greatly reduces the number of places where an unauthorized person can have a key duplicated. The least secure locks use keys that can be copied at virtually any hardware or department store. To learn more about lock bumping and high security locks you can visit this link to Amazon and purchase The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing

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