Lock Bumping
Monday, October 26, 2009 17:38
Lock Bumping, or “bumping” as it is sometimes called, has been around for the past fifty years and is a form of lock picking where a specially cut key is used to move the pins in the lock so the lock can be opened. The key is made by cutting all cuts in the key to their maximum depth and is sometimes called a 999 key because the cuts are made to the maximum depth of 9. The cuts can be made by using a hand file, but using a key-cutting machine speeds up the process of making a bump key.
Bump Key
Once a bump key is obtained, it is used to transfer energy to the pins in the lock so the top pins jump away from the bottom pins which allows the lock to open if the bump key is turned at the right moment. This is achieved by applying a slight amount of force to the bump key. Anything from specially made tools such as the Tomahawk bumping tool to something as simple as a butter knife or the handle of a hammer or screwdriver can be used to apply force to the bump key. As soon as the correct amount of force is applied to the key, the key is turned and the lock should open.
Watch this video from a few years back that shows the basics of how lock bumping is done.
Security for Lock Bumping Attacks
Medeco and Schlage Primus locks are supposed to be resistant to key bumping, but I have seen video on both of them being opened using the key bumping techniques. Still, the higher end security locks by Medeco and Schlage appear to be more resistant to lock bumping.
When selecting locks, check with the lock manufacturer to see if the lock is specifically resistant to the lock bumping attack method. Another technique that I have heard of and may be worth looking at is to use different types or manufacturers’ high security locks on the same door. If you use this strategy, you could use one manufacturer’s deadbolt lock for the first lock on the door and a different manufacturer’s door lock for the regular entryway lock. Again, this is not a foolproof method to stop an attack, but it would require that the criminal have bump keys for more than one type of high security lock.
Watch this second video for an overview of lock bumping and information on locks that are more resistant to lock bumping.
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