Master Lock high security?

[DennisK]

I bought a Master Lock #5 padlock today.It was supposed to be their 9 out of 10 for security.I had it picked in less than 15 seconds; and I am just a novice.What's the world coming to?

[ARF-GEF]

Master locks are usually resilient to brute force attack but are notoriously easy to pick and often, to bypass. Their laminated series for example has a tough external but a "mellow" core
But their pricing in the US (AFAIK) is not in the high security range either With prices like 10-20$ per lock, noone should expect truly high security locks...
If you are after really high security you have to easily pay 5-10x that. (Anchor las, Abloy, Multilock E series, EVVA high sec padlocks, just to mention a few)
True, sometimes it seems they are not even trying very hard to make them pick resistant, a few serrated pins would do a lot. Older models were especially bad IMO, maybe new ones are better.
And it's also true that if they write high security on it, that kinda looks bad.

[MBI]

It was supposed to be their 9 out of 10 for security.

Every time I see that on their packaging, I think they MUST mean 9 out of 100, but they don't have enough space for a hundred little lock logos on the package so they just put the first ten on there.

[GWiens2001]

Still remember when they started printing that on their packaging. I nearly fell over laughing. First lock I ever picked was a Master #3.

If you go to a hardware store here in the United States, the individual Master padlocks are under $10.

Also remember their television ads showing them shooting the lock and it staying closed. Problem was, they would shoot in the center of the lock where the key cylinder is located, instead of a little higher where the locking dogs are located.

Gordon

[DennisK]

It was supposed to be their 9 out of 10 for security.

Every time I see that on their packaging, I think they MUST mean 9 out of 100, but they don't have enough space for a hundred little lock logos on the package so they just put the first ten on there.

lol I think you got it!

[ARF-GEF]

hahahaha, that must be it MBI

[Luissen]

masterlocks are durable, I'll give them that, but secure? Honestly, I find the knockoffs with the obnoxious keyways harder (and only because of the keyway) it's a great deterrant, but by no means a security solution

[WillMclennan]

The thing is, burglars aren't really sophisticated enough to pick a lock. the chances are, he/she would smash a window or use some bolt cutters instead. They want things for nothing so aren't going to take the time to learn to pick are they? the ratings most likely apply to brute attacks only. Hope that helps

[DennisK]

The thing is, burglars aren't really sophisticated enough to pick a lock. the chances are, he/she would smash a window or use some bolt cutters instead. They want things for nothing so aren't going to take the time to learn to pick are they? the ratings most likely apply to brute attacks only. Hope that helps

You're correct as regards to burglars. If they weren't lazy SOBs,they'd find a job. I just hope if they come to my house,it's when we aren't home.Shotgun makes a bloody mess.

[HerrMannelig]

Master Lock gets a lot of flak from lock pickers, but I think that is silly.

You bought the lowest level line of padlocks, sold in stores where nobody important would buy locks. What did you expect?

Now, if you go to the Master Lock website, you'll see locks of designs which are far better. They are more expensive, but you can get another design, and pay for it, for higher security.

To judge a company by its lowest level line of products aimed at the least informed buyer is no better than being one of those uninformed buyers.

Try some of these:

http://www.safetyseries.com/products/de ... p?id=10814

http://www.masterlock.com/products/prod ... showquiz=0

I think you'll find them to be of high quality.

[HerrMannelig]

The thing is, burglars aren't really sophisticated enough to pick a lock. the chances are, he/she would smash a window or use some bolt cutters instead. They want things for nothing so aren't going to take the time to learn to pick are they? the ratings most likely apply to brute attacks only. Hope that helps

Actually, burglars who do it for a living, are sophisticated. Unlike common criminals which play games and are motivated by emotions, good burglars do it for business.

Naturally, their business interests dictate their methods. One of the first things is that you have to be thought to have something of value. Jewelry and money is a big target. If you do not live in the sort of residence where people would expect people to have such things, then one is likely safe from good burglars.

However, in those situations, having security solutions designed to meet those kinds of threats is important. Disabling security systems, lock manipulation, bypassing, etc are all things which could be done given the right burglar.

Those kinds of burglars do not get caught as often, and generally do not make the news, as much, as their crimes are very discrete and focused on not getting caught, so when they do get caught, it is for only a small part of what they have done.

[HerrMannelig]

The thing is, burglars aren't really sophisticated enough to pick a lock. the chances are, he/she would smash a window or use some bolt cutters instead. They want things for nothing so aren't going to take the time to learn to pick are they? the ratings most likely apply to brute attacks only. Hope that helps

You're correct as regards to burglars. If they weren't lazy SOBs,they'd find a job. I just hope if they come to my house,it's when we aren't home.Shotgun makes a bloody mess.

Well, good burglars do try to avoid people in the course of their work, but even so, deadly force is not justified whenever one feels like it.

And killing has profound psychological effects, and it is not something one should consider so lightly.

[mechanical_nightmare]

With the exception of actual high security locks, most 'High Security' ratings advertised by manufacturers are simply marketing. Obviously, writing 'Low Security' or anything to that tune is not a good marketing move. I have a Gusan brand shutter lock (Turkish made I believe), that has 'Top Security' scribed onto it, yet I can consistently rake it open in less than 5 seconds. It is up to the informed buyer to make a decision based on the balance between price, convenience, security against various attacks, and the likelihood those attacks will be employed against the lock by a dishonest person.

[ARF-GEF]

I think with locks, usually you truly get what you pay for.
Apart from electronic door locks for home use. They are overpriced and usually insecure.

[HerrMannelig]

I think with locks, usually you truly get what you pay for.
Apart from electronic door locks for home use. They are overpriced and usually insecure.

Exactly. It is stupid to get a cheap lock and then mock it for being cheap. What we can do, productively, is look for flaws and security concerns relative to the type of lock we are evaluating. For example, a seemingly good lock may have an inexcusable bypass vulnerability. Or a lock may be very hard to destructively defeat, but is extremely easy to pick, or it may be the other way. A lock can be very hard to pick, but very easy to break.

Locks are not about being invincible, but about meeting security requirements.