Bump key

Are You in Danger From Bump Keying?

Locksmith Los Angeles Highly Recommend Mul-T-Lock bumps proof locks for your home, apt and business.

Lock bumping, or bump keying, is a technique for picking a pin tumbler lock.  A single specially made bump key works for any lock of the same type.  This technique was first developed by locksmiths, who discovered that applying pressure to the back of a lock plug while knocking on it would let the plug slide out freely.  That made it easy to disassemble a lock.  However, this technique isn't just a handy tool for locksmiths.  It can be a major security concern.

In 2002, Klaus Noch brought the danger of bump keying to the attention of media in Germany.  Since then, more and more people have become concerned about the dangers of bump keys and whether or not their locks are secure enough.  As attention to this method of opening a lock has increased, so have the number of people who've learned to bump key a lock.

The way lock bumping works is by taking advantage of the way lock pins work.  Every lock is made up of a series of pin stacks - spring loaded stacks of pins (the key pin and the driver pin) - which align when the right key is inserted, allowing the lock cylinder to turn.  When the wrong key is in the lock, or there's no key at all, the misalignment of the pins make sure the cylinder can't be turned.  However, lock bumping changes that.

Initially, the special bump key is placed in the keyway, one notch out.  When the key is bumped inward, it's forced deeper in, and it’s specially made teeth jiggle all the lock's pins.  The key pins transmit this bumping to the spring loaded driver pins, which separate from their key pins for a split second.  Despite the short time this happens, applying a light force to the key will allow the cylinder to turn, rendering the lock useless.

Fortunately, it's possible to do something about the danger of lock bumping - buy locks that have been designed to be bump proof.  The sad fact is that the highest quality non-bump proof locks on the market are actually the ones in the greatest danger of being bumped.  Since they've been made more precisely, their pins move freely and smoothly, making bumping a whole lot easier.  Hardened steel locks, while harder to open conventionally, are actually even more likely to be bumped.  Their high quality pins aren't likely to be damaged while the bumping is going on.  Where cheaper locks would jam, a high end lock is actually more bumpable!

There are several designs that are a lot less vulnerable to an attack, however.  Security pins, like the mushroom style used in many bump proof locks, make bump keying a lot more difficult.  Locks that use rotating disks or magnets also cannot be attached in this way.  However, security pins alone can't completely make a lock bump proof.  A bump key has to have the same blank profile as the lock it was made for.  That means that locks with registered or restricted key profiles are a lot safer - it's illegal to get the right key blanks unless you're registered with the appropriate locksmith organization.

Trap pins are another method that keeps locks from being bump keyed.  When a pin isn't supporting them, these special pins jam the lock, preventing entry.  Shallow drilling is another method used in the best locks - one or more pin stacks is drilled just a little more shallowly than the rest.  When bump keying is attempted on this kind of lock, the key can't bump those pins - they're too high for the technique to work.

A number of different brands of locks are advertised as being bump proof, but not all of them are.  Mul-T-Lock and Medeco are among the only manufacturers who actually make bump proof locks.  Their special cylinder designs and other security measures make using a bump key almost impossible.  While you may have seen videos or other information suggesting that these locks can be bumped, you should remember that the locks being opened may have been prepared beforehand, removing some of the proprietary security measures.  

Don't trust videos or other claims that locks can be bumped unless you have all the evidence in front of you, and can see that the lock hasn't been tampered with in advance.  Unless you can see the cylinder under the same kind of conditions it'd actually be used in, the supposed bumping is probably a fake.  A really good lock is almost impossible to bump.

Locks from Medeco and Mul-T-Lock are an excellent choice if you're concerned about your security and want to make sure that your locks cannot be bumped.  Don't buy an ordinary high quality lock without anti-bumping measures in place.  It's actually easier to open using a bump key!  The same features that mean your lock won't fail or jam make it susceptible to this lock picking trick.  Always buy high security locks that offer features designed to stop bump keying and keep your home or business safe.  If you want the best in bump proof locks, choose Mul- T-Lock or Medeco brands.  They'll help you resist bump keying and other attacks on your security.

Bump keying is a serious problem that many people aren't aware of.  It could compromise your security if you're not ready for it.  Replace locks that are vulnerable to being bumped with ones that can resist this kind of attack.  You'll be able to rest safely and securely, knowing that even the most determined of lock bumpers won't be able to open your doors.