Best Lock for storage unit?

[MrTornado]

I'm not sure what the OP is planning on keeping in a storage unit which requires both a secure padlock and a tamper evident seal but if he's planning on buying a good quality padlock he's assuming that the attacker is proficient at lock picking or impressioning because the use of destructive methods would themselves be tamper evident.

Therefore we're got to assume that the attacker is pretty determined to access whatever is in his storage unit and I don't think ordering a $1.30 padlock off the internet is particularly extreme when you consider the skill required to pick a decent padlock.

OP should use some sort of UV security pen to sign the padlocks or something otherwise they're basically worthless to anyone who is determined.

Not to mention if we're talking about shutters with two holes where one is for an overlock then OP would be much better opting for a padlock with a thicker shackle then getting a padlock with a thin shackle so he can fit both that and this tamper evident seal through one hole.

I think a better idea would be getting a good quality padlock and using a sticker seal like the FBI do with crimescenes etc.

[globallockytoo]

If you want to pay peanuts expect to get monkeys.

I sell the Luccotto padlocks in North America. they are expensive but all stainless steel and use tubular keys.

The big issue however is the size of the shackle is 3/8" dia, and this is usualy a problem for the smaller holes in the locking bolts on storage units.

[phrygianradar]

It is my oppinion that tubular locks are not as secure as one would think. I got a tubular pick and after a few minutes of figuring out how it opperates I was able to quickly open many tubular locks that I thought were very secure. I was shocked. It is an impressioning type of attack and only takes a minute unless the tubular lock has some tricky springs or something that would make it more secure.

For my storage unit I use a nice thick Best padlock with a seven pin core full of spools. And a sticker will be a pretty easy way to tell if someone has been messing with it.

[ARF-GEF]

The old trick of spraying some paint on and generally making a good padlock look shabby?
As for tamper evidence: have you thought about a candle way seal or sth like that? You can press sth in it, what others likely don't have.

[dll932]

http://www.tamperevidentlabels.com/?eng ... +stickers/

[mh]

I hope you guys don't expect the original poster, who asked this in 2008, to comment...

[dll932]

If you're in this for a living, tamper evident stickers can be a real good idea when applicable.

[MBI]

If you're in this for a living, tamper evident stickers can be a real good idea when applicable.

Now that is a nice, simple, cost effective solution.

[ARF-GEF]

I hope you guys don't expect the original poster, who asked this in 2008, to comment...

Hahaha I sure missed that little bit of info

[Station44025]

I know this is an old thread, but a zip tie in a wacky color, or better yet, a colored zip tie spray painted with a custom color is an ok tamper indicator. It becomes a project to forge it. I use those all the time on luggage to know when it's been opened in transit.

[ARF-GEF]

Zip ties can be easily opened and then re-closed without an apparent marking

[globallockytoo]

It is my oppinion that tubular locks are not as secure as one would think. I got a tubular pick and after a few minutes of figuring out how it opperates I was able to quickly open many tubular locks that I thought were very secure. I was shocked. It is an impressioning type of attack and only takes a minute unless the tubular lock has some tricky springs or something that would make it more secure.

For my storage unit I use a nice thick Best padlock with a seven pin core full of spools. And a sticker will be a pretty easy way to tell if someone has been messing with it.

How many lay people have tubular picks, let alone locksmiths.
I'll wager that many of the current crop of "so called" mobile locksmiths have not got one, ever seen one or know how to use one.

[cuttinedge1]

Give comando lock a look. They have locks with great pick resistance and sim proof for $8

[JoshuaWest]

but a zip tie in a wacky color... I use those all the time on luggage to know when it's been opened in transit.

FYI: It's my understanding that airport security uses this method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf-DGKUNffI#t=11

It is my oppinion that tubular locks are not as secure as one would think. I got a tubular pick and after a few minutes of figuring out how it opperates I was able to quickly open many tubular locks that I thought were very secure. I was shocked. It is an impressioning type of attack and only takes a minute unless the tubular lock has some tricky springs or something that would make it more secure.

For my storage unit I use a nice thick Best padlock with a seven pin core full of spools. And a sticker will be a pretty easy way to tell if someone has been messing with it.

How many lay people have tubular picks, let alone locksmiths.
I'll wager that many of the current crop of "so called" mobile locksmiths have not got one, ever seen one or know how to use one.

We're working under the theory that the attacker is a skilled picker already, shouldn't we also assume he can buy a $10 tool if needed?
---> In my experience the locking mechanism itself is almost never the weakest link in security, though I admit I've never rented a storage container either.

[jtucek]

I know this is an old thread, but a zip tie in a wacky color, or better yet, a colored zip tie spray painted with a custom color is an ok tamper indicator. It becomes a project to forge it. I use those all the time on luggage to know when it's been opened in transit.

Wow... necrothread.

Regardless, zip ties are trivial to defeat; put a thin object (paperclip, stiff paper, sliver of metal, end of another zip-tie ) in-between the zig-zag surface and the latch and then tighten it a tiny bit more. Your thin object will slip into the mechanism and keep the one-way device from operating, so you can pull it open.

I'm a bit cheap, so I reuse my zip-ties this way fairly often. It's harder to do if the zip tie is really tight, but not impossible; I've only had to cut a zip tie if I was in a hurry, never because I couldn't get it open via shimming. If you really want to "secure" something that way, get a real security seal. E.g. http://www.stantonconcepts.us/Privaseal ... 051407.pdf or the like. Something like that costs about thirty cents each or so; google can find you a supplier.