Comments for blog.limedaley.com/post/bump-keys

Comment #1072

2006-12-19T11:50:08Z

Someone pointed out the other day that this would be a great spare key to hide outside under a rock, etc. Rather than hide a "real" key, hide one of these. That way, even if someone found it, they still probably wouldn't know how to use it.

Allen: I have been thinking about various different ways of making a bump key proof lock. I guess there are different budgets, so it isn't possible to get a one-size fits all lock, and there are various tradeoffs in complexity, cost and security.

It seems like the best solutions involve multiple locks, which is then a pretty big pain, at least for me.

I probably should write some articles on the different locks I have been thinking about.

Comment #1071

2006-12-19T07:35:07Z

@jondaley

This is a BIG problem. It's particularly bad when sites like http://www.bumpkey.us actually sell these damn things to just about anyone that wants them!

Comment #1070

2006-12-14T12:41:46Z

Yes, that is what the articles I saw have said.

Comment #1069

2006-12-14T03:19:09Z

I was looking at this "problem" and from what I remember, locks with tighter tolerances, ie more expensive ones, are MORE prone to be opened in this way.

Comment #1068

2006-12-13T16:09:55Z

Wow, and I can't even make the right key work often time. It was great to read the pdf article you linked to. I discovered I wasn't picturing how the pins worked correctly. Now I know.

Comment #1067

2006-12-13T13:23:19Z

Watch out for the Richard Feynman effect: He once showed the folks at the Oak Ridge labs, where they were doing research for the atomic bomb, how vulnerable their "top secret" safes were to anyone who knew a few simple tricks. The government's response? Declare Feynman to be the problem, not their own bad practices. (From Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman.)