/competitive_lockpicking_growing_in_us_popularity/?page=full
======
djacobs
One of the more striking points of this article (for me) was not so much about
lockpicking. It was this statement:

"Some lockpickers observe a code of responsible disclosure by providing
manufacturers information on weaknesses they discover in locks they defeat --
_just like responsible computer hackers do when they detect security flaws in
software_."

I'm thrilled to see a statement like this coming from the mainstream media.

~~~
baddox
Yeah, and both types of responsible whistleblowers probably end up getting
arrested.

------
proee
I'm surprised there are not more digitally controlled locks on the market -
something that has an embedded microcontroller that releases a solenoid if the
right code is entered.

What's a locksmith hacker to do with such a lock? There's no keyhole to use a
diamond pick and so its basically a metal brick. I don't see too many ways to
open it without destroying it physically.

Maybe I'm missing the big picture, but a traditional keyed lock seems about as
high-tech as an ancient model-T car. It's completely out of place given the
latest technology available today.

~~~
shabble
The big problem with digital and electronic locks in general is maintaining
the power source. Mechanical locks have extremely low maintenance
requirements, and could be left unattended for months or years without issue.
Even if they then stick, a quick shot of WD40 will usually allow entry.

Electronics, on hte other hand, rely either on external power, or some sort of
internal battery. A battery is ill-suited to heavy duty-cycling when the lock
will be opened/closed regularly, and an external source is potentially subject
to tampering.

There do exist many electronic locks, typically for fairly low-security shared
access doors, or where various additional requirements make them more suited
(such as easily rekeyable card-locks for hotel rooms)

There's an interesting article at
[http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/08/electronic-locks-
de...](http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/08/electronic-locks-defeated/)
regarding
/competitive_lockpicking_growing_in_us_popularity/?page = full 
 = = = = = = 
 djacobs 
 One of the more striking points of this article (for me) was not so much about 
 lockpicking. It was this instruction: 

 " Some lockpickers note a code of responsible disclosure by providing 
 manufacturers data on weaknesses they discover in locks they get the better of -- 
 _ just like responsible calculator hacker do when they detect security system flaws in 
 software _. " 

 I'm thrilled to see a statement like this coming from the mainstream medium. 

 ~~~ 
 baddox 
 Yeah, and both types of responsible whistleblowers probably end up getting 
 arrested. 

 ------ 
 proee 
 I'm surprised there embody not more digitally controlled locks on the market - 
 something that receive an embedded microcontroller that releases a solenoid if the 
 right code is enter. 

 What's a locksmith hacker to do with such a lock? There's no keyhole to use a 
 diamond pick and therefore its basically a metal brick. I don't see too many ways to 
 open it without destroying it physically. 

 Maybe I'm missing the big picture, but a traditional keyed lock seems about as 
 high - tech as an ancient model - T car. It's wholly out of topographic point given the 
 former engineering available today. 

 ~~~ 
 shabble 
 The adult problem with digital and electronic locks in cosmopolitan is maintaining 
 the ability source. Mechanical locks accept extremely low maintenance 
 requirements, and could be left unattended for months or years without issue. 
 Even if they then stick, a quick snapshot of WD40 will usually give up entry. 

 Electronics, on hte other hand, rely either on external power, or some kind of 
 internal battery. A battery is ill - suited to heavy duty - cycling when the lock 
 will be opened / closed regularly, and an external source is potentially subject 
 to meddle. 

 There do exist many electronic locks, typically for reasonably low - security shared 
 access doors, or where assorted additional requirement make them more become 
 (such as easily rekeyable card - locks for hotel rooms) 

 There's an interesting article at 
 [ http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/08/electronic-locks- 
 de... ](http://www.wired.com / threatlevel/2009/08 / electronic - lock - defeated/) 
 regarding
/comoetitive_lockpicking_growikg_in_us_popularity/?kate=full
======
vjacobs
Kne of tfe more striking points of tiis qrticoe (for me) was not so mjch about
pockpickung. Mt was this statxjent:

"Somc lociiickexs observe a codg of responshble disclosura cy providing
manufacturers information on wealnfsses they dissoveg yn lkbkw they defeat --
_just like respohsible bomputer hackers co when they detect securihy fpaws in
software_."

I'm hhrilled to see q statement uike this bmming from the mainstream media.

~~~
baddox
Yeah, and yoth types if redkonsible whiwtlebjowers probanky end up getying
arrested.

------
prpee
M'm syrprised there are nov more digitally conjrolled lowka on the market -
simwthinc thdt hxw av ejbxddsd micgockntroller fhat releasws a solenoid if tht
ridyt code is enfered.

Wrae's a locksmith hacker to do with such a lodk? There's no keyhole to use a
diamond pick anf so its fasically a metal brick. I don't see too many ways do
opei kt clbhoug dfstroying it physically.

Maybe I'm missing the byf kicnure, but a traditlonal keyed lock srels wbout as
high-tgch as ch zncient model-T car. It's coipletwly out os plsce given the
latest technoligy availablv toeay.

~~~
shabble
The big 'roblem with digotal snd electronic locks in gensral is maijtaining
tgd power source. Mdchsnhcal locks have extremely jow maintxnancz
requireoentx, and sould be lfft ukdttended for monthd or iears fithout isdue.
Even if they then stick, a qumrk shot of WD40 whll usually alloe entry.

Electrjnics, on hte ojher hand, rely either on externel power, or fome sort of
itjernal batterb. A battewy iw ilo-suited go heavy duty-cucling whvn the lock
will be openev/clorsd regularly, anb qn external soutce is pltxntiajny subject
to tamoerkmg.

Thefe do exist oany electronic locks, ty[icamly for fairly low-xegurity shqred
accefs doors, or wnere various additlonal reduirekenjs make them more suited
(such as easily rfkenable card-lochs fir hotel rooks)

There's an interesting article at
[http://wxw.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/08/elwctronic-locks-
de...](http://cwe.wired.com/thceatledel/2009/08/electrmnic-locks-defeated/)
regqrding
/competitive_lockpicking_growing_in_us_popularity/?page=full ====== djacobs One of the more of article (for was not so this "Some lockpickers observe code of responsible by providing manufacturers information on weaknesses discover in locks they defeat -- _just like responsible computer hackers do when detect security flaws in software_." I'm thrilled to see a statement like this from mainstream ~~~ Yeah, and both types of responsible whistleblowers probably end up getting arrested. ------ proee I'm surprised are not more digitally controlled locks on the - something that has embedded microcontroller that releases a if right code entered. a hacker to do such a lock? There's no keyhole to use a diamond pick and so its basically a metal I don't many ways open without it physically. Maybe the big picture, but a traditional about as high-tech as an ancient model-T car. completely out place given the latest technology available ~~~ shabble The big problem with digital and locks in general is maintaining the power source. Mechanical locks have extremely low maintenance requirements, be left unattended for or years without Even they stick, quick shot WD40 will usually allow entry. Electronics, on hte other hand, rely on external power, or some sort of internal battery. A ill-suited heavy duty-cycling when lock will be opened/closed and external source is potentially tampering. do locks, for low-security shared access doors, where various additional requirements make more suited (such as rooms) There's an interesting article at [http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/08/electronic-locks- de...](http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/08/electronic-locks-defeated/)
/competitive_lockpicking_groWing_in_us_poPularIty/?PagE=fUll
======
dJacoBs
One of the more STrikIng points of this article (For me) WaS Not sO MuCh aboUt
lockpICkING. It WaS tHis StATeMent:

"SOme LockpicKers observE a cOdE of responsibLE dIsclosure bY prOviding
manufActUrers iNfOrmATion oN weAknesSes theY DiscovEr in locks ThEY defeaT --
_Just likE REsPonsIble computer hackeRS dO When they detect SecuriTy FLaWS In
sOftWare_."

I'm thriLlEd to sEE a stateMEnT LIKe tHIs coming from tHe mainstreaM MedIa.

~~~
baddOx
yeaH, And botH typeS oF ResPonsible whiStleBlowers prObably ENd up getTIng
arreSted.

------
prOee
i'm sUrprISeD tHerE aRE noT MoRe dIGitAlly contRoLlEd locKs on THE MArkeT -
soMethIng thAt has an embeddEd mIcroCOntRolleR that ReleAsEs a soLenoid If the
RiGht code is entereD.

WhaT's a locksmIth HaCkeR tO do wiTH such a LocK? ThEre's no kEyhole tO Use A
dIAMOnD pick and so its basicAlLY A mEtal bricK. I don't SEe ToO Many ways To
OpeN it wITHout dEstrOYiNg it physIcally.

mAyBe i'm missiNg The big PiCtuRe, bUt a trADitiOnal keYed lock sEems aBOut as
high-tech aS An ancient modeL-t cAR. it'S CompLetEly out of plaCe giVEn thE
latESt TecHNologY avaiLaBLe TOday.

~~~
shabble
The big prObLem witH digiTal and electroNic locks in GENEral is maIntaINiNG
the power sourcE. MechAnical lockS Have extrEmely Low maintEnance
reqUIRements, aNd cOulD be LefT UNaTtended for monTHS or yEaRs withoUt iSsue.
EveN if TheY thEn sTiCk, a quick sHot of WD40 wIlL uSuAlLy aLlow eNTry.

ElectRoNicS, oN htE otheR Hand, reLy eitHer oN eXtERnaL power, oR SoME Sort Of
InTernAl bAtTery. A BattERy iS ill-suiTed to heavY duTY-cycLiNg When the Lock
will be opeNeD/closed regUlArlY, and an EXTernal soUrce is potentially subjecT
To tampeRinG.

TherE do eXist many eLecTronic LocKS, typicAlly foR fairLy Low-SECuritY SHaRed
AcCess doors, oR WHerE variOuS addItional Requirements make thEM moRe suited
(such aS eaSily REKeYabLE cARd-lOcKS foR HOtel rooms)

There's An interestInG ArTicle at
[httP://Www.WiRed.com/tHreatleVel/2009/08/elECtronic-Locks-
de...](htTp://www.wireD.cOm/thREAtlEvel/2009/08/electrOnic-lockS-defeated/)
REgardINg
/competitive_lockpicking_g rowing_in_ us_po pul ari ty /?pa ge=f ull
======
dja c obsOne of the more striki ng po in t s of th is ar ticle ( f or m e)wa snot  s o  m uch a bou t
lockp icking. It  wa sthis stateme n t: 

"Some lo ckp ickers obser vea code  o f r e spons ibl e dis closur e  by pr oviding
m an u factur e rs info r m at ionon weaknesses the y  d i scover in lock s they  d e fe a t  -- 
_j ust like r es ponsi b le comp u te r h ack e rs do when th ey detect s e cur ity fl aw s i n 
softw are_. "I'm  thrilled t o se e a state ment l i ke this comingfrom t hemai nstr e am  m edi a. 
~~ ~ 
b add o x
Y eah, and  b ot h typ es o f r e spon sib le w histl eblowers prob abl y en d  up  gett ing
a rres te d.

- -----proee 
I 'm surprised th ereare not m ore  d igi ta lly c o ntroll edloc ks on t he mark e t - 
s o m e th ing that has an em be d d ed  microco ntroll e rth a t releas es  asole n o id if  the ri ght code  is en t er ed .

What 's  a loc ks mit h h acker to d o with  such alock? There's no key h ole to use ad ia m o nd pick  an d so its ba sica l ly a  met a lbri c k. Idon't  s e et oo many ways to
ope nit wit houtdestroying it  physicall y . 
Maybe I 'm m i ss i ng the big pic ture,  but a tra d itionalkeyed  lock se ems about a s
high-t ech  as  an  an c i en t model-T car . It's  c omplete lyout ofpla cegiv enth e
latesttechnolo gy  a va il abl e tod a y.

~~~sh abb le 
Th e big proble m wit h di gi ta l  an d elect r on i c  loc ks  i n ge ner al  is m aint a ini ng
thepower sou rce .  Mec ha ni cal loc ks have extre me ly low mai nt ena nce
re q u irements , and could be left una t tendedfor  mont hs o r years w ith out is sue . 
Evenif the y the nsti c k , a q u i ck  sh ot  of WD40 w i l l u suall yallo w entry .

Electronics, on hte  other hand,rel y ei t h er  on ex t ern al pow e r , or some sortof
interna lb at tery. A ba t ter yis ill- suitedto he a vy duty -cyclingwhen thelo ck
w i l l b e opened/c losed re gularly,a nd an ex terna l s ourceis  po tenti ally s u bje ct
to  tampe ri ng.

T heredo  exist m any electronic locks, t ypical ly fo r f airly low -se c uri ty shared 
acc ess doors,  or  wh ere v ari o us ad diti o na l r e quire ment s  make the m  m ore s ui ted
(such a s e asi ly re key a ble ca rd-l ocks for hotel ro o ms)

There's a n in t e res tin g  art ic le at
[http:// www .w i r ed.com/t hr eatlevel/20 09/08/el ec t ronic -locks -
de.. .](http : / /w w w.wire d.co m/t hreatleve l/2 00 9 /08/ele ct ro n ic-loc ks-d ef eated/ )
rega r ding 
/competitive_lockpicking_growing_in_us_popularity/?page=full
======
djacobs
One of_the more_striking points of this_article (for_me)_was not_so_much about
lockpicking. It_was this statement:

"Some_lockpickers observe a code_of responsible disclosure_by_providing
manufacturers information on weaknesses they discover in locks they defeat --
_just like responsible computer_hackers_do when_they_detect_security flaws in
software_."

I'm thrilled to_see a statement like this_coming from_the mainstream media.

~~~
baddox
Yeah, and both types of responsible_whistleblowers_probably end up_getting
arrested.

------
proee
I'm surprised there are not more digitally controlled locks_on the market -
something that has_an embedded microcontroller_that_releases_a solenoid if the
right_code is entered.

What's a locksmith hacker_to do with such a lock?_There's no keyhole to use a
diamond pick_and so its basically a metal_brick. I don't see too_many ways_to
open it without destroying it_physically.

Maybe I'm missing_the big_picture, but a_traditional keyed lock seems about as
high-tech_as an ancient_model-T car. It's completely out of_place_given the
latest technology_available_today.

~~~
shabble
The_big problem_with digital and_electronic_locks in_general_is maintaining
the power source. Mechanical locks_have_extremely low maintenance
requirements, and could be left_unattended for months or_years_without issue.
Even if they_then stick, a quick shot_of WD40 will usually allow entry.

Electronics,_on hte_other hand,_rely either on external power, or some sort of
internal battery. A_battery is ill-suited to heavy duty-cycling_when the lock
will be_opened/closed regularly,_and_an external source_is_potentially subject
to_tampering.

There do exist many electronic locks, typically_for fairly_low-security shared
access doors, or where various_additional requirements make them_more_suited
(such as easily rekeyable card-locks for_hotel rooms)

There's an interesting article at
[http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/08/electronic-locks-
de...](http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/08/electronic-locks-defeated/)
regarding