Lock Picking Become Obselete?

[digital_blue]

These are wild figures, by no means accurate.

I heard that 87% of all statistics are made up on the spot. 62% of all people will believe them too. 6% of you will use Google to check my figures.



db

[greyman]

It's not picking for electronic locks but hacking. And it's no challenge since you can always program an electronic lock to suspend if too many incorrect attempts are made. The other thing about electronic (digital) locks is that you have to stumble on the right combo by exhaustively trying all possible ones. This is NOT what happens in lock picking where there is feel, judgement and art involved. Once its down to programming a computer, most of the art just flies out the window.

[lockedin]

I worry about this too, but for more selfish reasons I like the feeling that I can get pick many locks if I really want to, and hate the thought that locks are changing and getting more complex. Regardless of how advanced and how much more difficult they become to pick, I'm part of the school of thought that believes that they will never go out of use. They say technology doubles every seven years, yet locks have remained virtually the same (with a few security features such as sidebars and mushrooms pins added) since their invention.
A good stand alone lock guarantees reliability for years and in adverse weather conditions, something that cannot be guaranteed out of electronic locks without constant maintenance. The intuitiveness of locks requiring keys, and their simplicity of use and installation (a couple of screws in a hasp) will always guarantee them an advantage. While the logs of who is entering and exiting are convenient and enhance security in some electronic systems, this does not make them anyless susceptible to the brute force attacks of non-electronic locks. The denial of access at the push of a button is another often touted advantage. But interchangeable cores have made it nearly as simple on mechanical locks. If the mechanical lock ever becomes obsolete, it will be long after we expire.

[Wolfman]

Ok. I dont know too much about electronic locks, as yet, but I do know this... WIRES!!!! Thats right, wires and chip boards. And there lies the weakness of this kind of lock. You dont have to exaustively serch for the combo if you can use a Security Driver to take off the control panel and cross the right wires, or hook up the right... tester? Get what I'm saying.

Getting into systems like this, im sure has its own set of challenges, such as getting in without rendering the lock in-operatable, and understanding electronics.

I'm thinking that, just like in picking, you gotta know how much pressure, or in this case voltage, (in lack of better words) Make stuff do stuff.

I think that hacking electronic locks needs its own locksmithing term. Any ideas?

sAf3 cRaCks0r? hehe

[Raccoon]

In Hacker terms, the manipulation of electronic hardware is called Phreaking. Many hackers prefer a distinction for bypass methods, calling it Cracking. Some will call electronic bypass Phracking, but most just call it Phreaking.

[stonedsmurf]

The whole idea of no longer have pin tumblers gives me the sh*ts. I hate seeing ads for new electronic locks that can't be picked by traditional means. AHHH!! I dont wanna think about it. Every year lockpicking become less useful. Even now most important facilities have key cards etc. I think most of us will see the introduction of retina scanners also. It may only be a few decades before lockpicking becomes little more that a historical skill.

[Legion303]

In Hacker terms, the manipulation of electronic hardware is called Phreaking.

Well, "phreaking" is specific to the phone system. Most hackers call electronic bypass "breaking and entering." :)

-steve

[n2oah]

In Hacker terms, the manipulation of electronic hardware is called Phreaking. Many hackers prefer a distinction for bypass methods, calling it Cracking. Some will call electronic bypass Phracking, but most just call it Phreaking.

Wrong. A "Phreaker" is one who exploits the telecommunications system.

[greyman]

It breaks my heart to think that mechanical locks may one day be extinct. But fear not! Warded locks were around for about 700 years even though they were well and truly not up to the task of keeping out the bad guys. I think it'll still be cheaper to put a pin tumbler lock on a door for quite some time yet.

By the way you bump key enthusiasts - you are in the process of speeding up the extinction of pin tumbler locks! Once everyone realises how vulnerable they are, they will upgrade

[greyman]

Ok. I dont know too much about electronic locks, as yet, but I do know this... WIRES!!!! Thats right, wires and chip boards. And there lies the weakness of this kind of lock. You dont have to exaustively serch for the combo if you can use a Security Driver to take off the control panel and cross the right wires, or hook up the right... tester? Get what I'm saying.

Getting into systems like this, im sure has its own set of challenges, such as getting in without rendering the lock in-operatable, and understanding electronics. ...

I reckon it's still much easier to make a digital lock that can detect an unauthorised entry attempt and shut down, whether it be by too many button pushes, someone opening up the control box or someone pulling current from the circuit (although this last one could be harder). I'm an electrical engineer BTW

[undeadspacehippie]

Even if electronic locks come into the game as a serious player - they will do the same thing - engage some sort of mechanical or electromechanical bolt. That is until some type of force sheild/door/gate - (trekkies or star wars freaks wet dream) come into use.

[Raccoon]

According to LSS, pin tumbler locks were invented by the Egyptions 4,000 years ago. I'm certain they'll enjoy another 4,000 years of use. Albeit, at the microscopic level.

[greyman]

According to LSS, pin tumbler locks were invented by the Egyptions 4,000 years ago. I'm certain they'll enjoy another 4,000 years of use. Albeit, at the microscopic level.

Yep, true. But at least a dozen other books published before LSS have also said that too. If you consider an ancient egyptian lock to be like a modern (Yale & Towne) pin tumbler lock, then I am impressed by your ability to generalise

[Raccoon]

It had pins and springs. I'd bump it.

[LockNewbie21]

I doubt locks will ever go out, just becuase mechanical working locks are more reliable and cheap, also for the hacking for each lock that came out, a nerd would sit at his PC type up a Logistic's program to decipher ever possible combo and bam that locks abosolete. Becuase once you get into computers ,electroics and such the most obsurd things could jepordize security (Power surge, EMP.. no not the matrix junk the real deal, for example if an atomic bomd is detonated so many miles above say Rhode island it will abliterate every unprotected ciruuit(veryexpensive) from maine to Soulth carolina to alabama) its a little over the top example but when they used to test these bombs this same thing happened. If oyu ask me the locks will just get more complicated mechnically thats all, once you move into electronics the vunerablilities are astronomical, As far as computer hacking, i wouldnt bother inless you trying to work for a security agency, the smallest slip up and your in jail even if its by accident, plus like i said little nerds write the programs just get those



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