Keith S. is a professional “security tester.”
Companies pay him to test their security measures to see if he can gain access.
But, you’ll never catch Keith trying to kick down the front door, and he doesn’t even own a crowbar.
Instead, he uses technology to get the job done.
Here’s an example:
One day, Keith’s neighbor asked him to test new locks he’d installed on the front door to his home.
The neighbor bragged the expensive new locks couldn’t be bypassed by a criminal.
He even proudly showed off the new lock and keys.
The two chatted about their weekend plans for a few minutes, and Keith told his neighbor he would stop by in a few days.
What Keith didn’t tell his neighbor was while they chatted he’d spent about 30 seconds scanning the new keys with an iPhone app.
The app (called KeyMe) would let him reproduce the new “burglar proof” keys without specialized skills or equipment.
While KeyMe wasn’t designed to be used this way, it’s a thief’s dream.
You simply need to upload a picture of a key to the KeyMe app.
From there, keys can be 3-D printed and mail-ordered.
So, Keith uploaded the picture of his neighbor’s new key and within a days, had a copy in the mail.
Keith then waltzed over to his neighbor’s house and casually let himself in through the front door.
The neighbor was shocked.
While apps like KeyMe help solve the problem of lockouts and lost keys…
Their existence also means that if your key is out of sight for 30 seconds there can be major consequences.
Whether the keys are on your desk at work, a table at a restaurant, in the hands of a parking valet…
It takes seconds for someone to potentially gain access to your home, office, car, and anything else you have a key for.
As crazy as that sounds, here are a few ways to help you avoid becoming a victim…
Don’t post pictures: How many times have you seen people post a picture of their everyday carry gear on social media that includes keys?
All it takes is one picture for someone to be able to duplicate the key.
You may recall the Washington Post’s blunder in 2015 when the publication posted a close-up of the entire spread of TSA master keys.
This photo allowed lock-pickers to copy the “teeth” pattern and devise their duplicates.
Follow this simple rule and never share a picture of your keys online.
Never let them out of sight: Many people walk into their office and toss their keys on the desk, or put them in the top drawer.
This is not secure.
A delivery man or customer walking through your office could snap a pic and be gone.
These are the first places a bad guy would look for keys.
Reconsider leaving your keys with a mechanic, valet, or anyone you don’t personally know.
And if you need keys made, go to an old-fashioned locksmith who can cut you a new key in a machine while you watch.
Consider a keypad lock: Keyed locks can be bypassed in several ways, so you may want to get rid of the keyed lock together.
Now, I wouldn’t recommend a smart lock that can be opened on your phone.
These just open up another way for hackers to get into your home.
But, you may wish to check out electronic locks such as the Schlage keyless touchscreen.
This is a keypad lock that opens with a 4-digit code and it doesn’t connect to your smartphone.
It only works if you have the code.
They are designed with anti-fingerprint technology and are more difficult to bypass.
Use these simple tips to keep your keys – and therefore your home, office, car, P.O. Box, bank box, etc. – private and secure.
It is also possible to ‘Sight Read ‘ your Key Cuts.
Of course it takes some training or research into a Company’s Keying System.
Once the specific Keyway is identified then another Key with that matching Keyway
may be used and cut down to approximate your Key and played with to open your Door.
The term is ‘Key Picking’ and Prisoners use it to open some locks in Prison as long as the Key fits the wrong Lock.
But with the Key open to sight the Key Cuts may be memorized allowing an insight to Picking or Raking of your Lock.
Don’t dangle your Keys in front of a person.