The Sky Is Falling: Part 2

[fizzboy]

Makezine has an article on bumpkeys and how they can be used to open locks without a trace. Take a key, any key, and cut it to the maximum depth. Insert the key into a lock, give it a bump, turn and you're in. Works on almost any kind of mechanical lock, even the crazy insane 15-pin multi-sided divot keys that are "unpickable". A thief could easily

Comments

[kishuku]

I wonder how it applies to 3-D keys?

[fizzboy]

I'm not familiar with 3-D keys. Conceivably, any mechanical lock that uses pins and a tumbler is suceptable to this attack.

[kishuku]

I dunno what my lack in Taiwan uses... but the key is a round stick with dents and bumps in it... there's also another type I've seen which looks like a bizarre USB port gone wrong.

[fizzboy]

The first one you mentioned is a mechanical lock with pins and tumblers still and is bumpable. The second might be an electronic lock (or not... I can't really tell). Electronic locks are immune to mechanical manipulation (unless we're talking about the mechanical manipulation of a 20 lb. sledge hammer) but unless designed correctly, they're suceptable to any number of forms of electronic or cryptographic attacks.

The best lock would use a one-time pad cypher that is paired with an electronic key that has an embedded chip. Touch the key to the lock and the door would open. Optionally, there could be a keypad to enter a PIN that is paired with the key as well. To enter without a trace, a thief would have to acquire both your key and your number. No other key (not even a copy) or number would do.

But that would really be overkill. The strongest door lock won't keep your glass windows from being busted out.