Key-Bumping easily lets in burglars
May 18, 2011, Submitted by: Ken Tweet
A relatively new security problem is the threat of “bumping,” in which someone with a ‘bump key’ can open most locks that are commonly used in homes.
Lock bumping, also called key bumping or bump keying, is a lock picking technique used to unlock standard pin tumbler cylinders with a ‘bump key’.
The bumping method is one used by criminals to gain unlawful access with a bump key and is a growing problem globally. Bumping attacks are becoming widespread as bump keys can be used to unlock most standard residential cylinder locks which are not bump resistant.
Most homes use standard cylinder locks which are vulnerable to lock bumping.
The bumping method is non-destructive. When a bump key is used to break into a house there may be no signs of forced entry or damage to the lock.
What can you do about it?
First, awareness of the vulnerability is your first step to better security. Most people have never heard of this, and don’t realize how easy it is for burglars to get into your home.
Whenever you buy new locks, check to be sure that they are specifically designed to be bump-resistant.
A very popular ‘how-to’ book regarding picking locks is top rated one, written by Deviant Ollam, one of the security industry’s best-known lock picking teachers,
Practical Lock Picking: A Physical Penetration Tester’s Training Guide
Watch a video report from CBS news regarding key-bumping
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One of the best defenses against the burglar scum is light, noise, and to make it as difficult as possible to get in. Light is easy as sometimes leaving a couple of lights on to a few motion detectors. Noise can be a barking dog to an alarm system. Making it difficult to get in can be extra locks that are even not bump protected to those that are, all the way to bars on windows and even doors. If there is enough money of course live away from the crime element.
When you are inside and some criminal is trying to break in this is a real problem. It use to be, decades ago, when someone broke in most of the time the criminal stole what they needed and left. All you lost was something that probably could be replaced. Now many of those that break in are totally high on some drugs, meth heads especially, and those slime mean to not only steal what is yours but also probably hurt you or worse. The meth head type will not use a key bumping they will just come in through any opening they can find.
I live in a state that does not really question when someone breaks into your home, you can use deadly force to protect yourself because anyone breaking into your home is assumed to do you harm. A criminal does not belong in your home and you do not know if someone that has broken into your, especially at night is going to serious hurt you, rape you, or actually end your life just for the hell of it. I still say that any type of weapon to protect yourself is better than nothing.
There are many weapons that can mean the difference between you seeing the light of the next day when some scourge breaks into your home. The taser is non lethal to the most part and works if you can hit the character with one shot. Bear pepper spray is very good and sticks and will stop probably stop just about anyone. Baseball bats or other clubs usually do not work other than in the movies. Firearms are wonderful if you know how to use them and have training and the mental state to put your life over the filth that has broken into your home and is going to hurt you. A lot of times just knowing that someone has a firearm can scare away a criminal. It just has to be remembered that your life is worth many times over some drug addict or other dangerous criminal. You do not have to actually shoot someone, but must be prepared to IF your life and or safety is at peril.
Handguns are fine if you can use them and hit a moving target in the dark of a night and after having awoken from a deep sleep. I say the good old shotgun is best because of the spray effect, you just have to get close. 12 gauge has a lot of kick to it for many, but most 20 gauge shotguns with buckshot most people can handle and will work. To me you just want to stop the intruder from the possibility of harming you and if you can get just one piece of metal from a shotgun shell in an attacker you have improved your chances to get away without personal injury a lot.
People can always replace lost merchandise. People cannot replace their lives or the emotional destruction from some dirty criminal raping you or a family member, or physically hurting you. I say in this world that has decayed to such this state you and others should mentally be ready for anyone doing anything if they break into your home. Prevention is the best key to any crime, but also being ready to face it and fight back so you do not become another victim and another statistic.