Video: Stupidly Simple “Bump Key” Makes Keyed Locks Open In Seconds — Your Home Is At Risk!!

Published on August 6th, 2006

Doing some Googling, it appears this has been known for over a year, but it’s only now that Newsweek has picked it up that it’s really getting play. Here’s the link to the white paper that outlines how to make bump keys.

The three frightening things about this are 1) the keys are ridiculously simple to make, 2) almost all standard keyed locks are vulnerable, the more expensive, the easier to open, 3) insurance companies probably won’t pay burglary claims because using the bump key leaves no trace of entry. Triple cripes!

24 users responded in " Video: Stupidly Simple “Bump Key” Makes Keyed Locks Open In Seconds — Your Home Is At Risk!! "

Subscribe to this post comment rss or trackback url

# 1 Gibson said, on August 6th, 2006 at 5:30 am

well, if you want to be more secure you would have alarms also set up.

I personally don’t have anything like that because I live in a very small town and only lock my doors at night…and really, that’s to keep someone drunk from thinking it’s his house and coming inside.

As they always say, if someone wanted to get into your house, there’s little you could do unless you live in a windowless, door less bunker or something. As for leaving no trace…well, that absence of items in your home would kind of be an indication. Picking a lock also can “leave no trace” too if the person is skilled enough. But does a burglar really care if he leaves a trace or not because the people WILL notice their TV is gone.

# 2 Gary said, on August 6th, 2006 at 6:20 am

This and many other “tricks of the trade” have been around for many years. Since I have been in this security business for over twenty years – access control specialist – I find the proliferation of the internet and news coverage of the bump key method of surreptitious entry the most troubling because it is truly easy and undetectable. And as mentioned, insurance companies are not going to be willing to cover a loss without a fight just as recently reported that a police officer in CA had his fancy SUV stolen which was equiped with state of the art anti-theft imobilizer technology. Since the thieves knew how to bypass / fool the system the insurance company claims it must have been a scam. Not true, those systems have weaknesses too.

The answer to the bump key problem is using a more secure locking system and layered protection. You don’t have to spend rediculous amounts of money to take “reasonable” steps to protect yourself. As Gibson states; if someone wants in they will get in unless you build a fortress. So, take prudent steps to protect yourself depending upon your environment and your needs. However, don’t assume it isn’t going to be a problem for you because this bump key method is EASY to master and once you get the hang of it you can open most locks in seconds.

# 3 ChrisMac said, on August 6th, 2006 at 6:30 am

whenever i’ve come home and noticed the “tv” missing..
and no broken locks (or windows), i immediately break one
then call the popo

# 4 TJGeezer said, on August 6th, 2006 at 7:02 am

That does seem to be the lesson: if your missing goods are insured, break a window (from the outside) before you report the crime. The insurance companies give you a compelling reason to do so, but it would mean misleading the police about a crime, which is no doubt itself illegal. An interesting problem. Oh – and don’t buy vehicles with such good security insurance companies can get away with pretending theft was impossible.

# 5 doug said, on August 6th, 2006 at 7:39 am

does anyone really know that American homeowners insurance carriers are not going to pay out on a break-in that happens with a bump key? I mean, what if your kid just leaves the house and forgets to lock the door behind him – your insurance doesn’t pay out then, either? I know my carrier did not ask me what kind of locks I had on my doors or whether I had an alarm system.

I think that a prompt police report and call to the insurance company would probably be sufficient, unless you are someone who makes a lot of claims. which, from the carrier’s POV is more than the one you are making at the moment.

and they can then use it as an excuse to jack up your rates!

# 6 John C Dvorak said, on August 6th, 2006 at 8:33 am

I have a security solution: Rotweiler.

# 7 Gibson said, on August 6th, 2006 at 9:01 am

I have Rottweiler solution: Baseball bat.

Not that I condone harming another living being, just showing that just about any security solution can be circumvented if the “perp” is motivated enough. Baseball bat…tire-iron….knife….gun….tasty dog treat.

Sleep well tonight…

# 8 Ballenger said, on August 6th, 2006 at 9:41 am

I have been telling people for years the best solution here is to simply keep a backhoe and a pile of boulders near each exterior door. Just pile those boulders up in front of the doors before you go to sleep. If the Rottweiler needs to go out at 3 AM just toss him out a window on a harness and reel him back in when he is done, NP. They get a little pissed off, but the growling and foaming at the mouth adds is another deterent to would-be prowlers.

# 9 ECA said, on August 6th, 2006 at 10:40 am

Its called, BREAK A WINDOW…

Love cars with cloth tops…and a $1000+ radio inside

# 10 Mike Voice said, on August 6th, 2006 at 12:39 pm

Isn’t this the kind of thing Homeland Security wants kept hidden from public viewing, so that the “terrorists” don’t learn from it? [grin]

# 11 hbvacmach said, on August 6th, 2006 at 4:14 pm

Nope it is not that easy, manufactures of decent locks put in mushroom or thimble pins just to stop this sort of thing. Also if you lock is on a mutable key system ( master and sub-master key ) the additional pins get in the way. Sure it works on some locks but not that many. So while the guy is out there basically knocking on your door, you can answer him with my security system, a 357.

# 12 Nate Peck said, on August 6th, 2006 at 4:32 pm

If this attracts the kind of would-be burglars they’re talking about, they would probably leave fingerprints. Isn’t that enough evidence for the police?

# 13 Pete said, on August 6th, 2006 at 6:45 pm

seems that all the solutions offered so far, involves you staying home all the time. Face it you gun waving maniacs.. you got to leave sometime.

# 14 Charbax said, on August 6th, 2006 at 8:00 pm

The solution is thumb scanner and password touch pad to open the door.

# 15 RC of strangeculture said, on August 6th, 2006 at 9:30 pm

Isn’t this just so bizarre? i feel like locking systems need to be changed so this simple system won’t work.

–RC of strangeculture.blogspot.com

# 16 Pete Shanahan said, on August 7th, 2006 at 4:22 am

Well, I knew about this class attack on locks for about two years. The problem is in how the keying system is implemented. Apparently there are a few types of locks that are not suceptible to this form of attack. Of German origin IIRC. Big ass magnets can defeat ‘the most secure’ of electronic locks. Meh, I’m just glad I live in a low crime area.

# 17 woktiny said, on August 7th, 2006 at 6:08 am

nice of them to tell us what is still considered secure…

# 18 miataget1 said, on August 7th, 2006 at 9:22 am

Yep…What we need are locks controlled by MS Windows.

That’ll work. HA

# 19 ECA said, on August 7th, 2006 at 10:06 am

I’d set an extra tumbler inside, that IF its moved, it Locks the door instead of opening it.
This is what happens when Lock companies get LAZY.

# 20 Trimble Epic said, on August 7th, 2006 at 11:04 am

I’d like to see a list of lock manufactuers that are producing locks that are not vulnerable to this simple attack please.

# 21 Lock Guy said, on August 7th, 2006 at 5:17 pm

About a year ago I actually made a bunch of these “bump” keys. It’s actually not as easy to do this as the Toool guys demonstrate. I’m not actually a burgular, but was investigating the “vulnerability” of certain key systems.
Sometimes you get “lucky” and it works easy with one tap, and sometimes you have a tough time with it, even with the “Home Depot” grade lock.
Anyway, unless you are VERY good at the technique, it could make a lot of noise while tapping at the “bump” key. And it DOES leave a little dent in the top of the keyway. It’s still more stealthy to “pick” a lock.
A few other points:
1. It’s much easier to open a door with a brick.
2. Burgulars don’t care about your insurance situation so will not go to this effort to open your door.
The big issue is more so in Europe where the insurance laws are different from the US. In the US most insurance companies will reimburse you for your loss.
All of even the most sophisticated locking systems have vulnerabilities. You would be surprised at how easy it is to get into most “card key” systems.
The best defenses are alarm systems, surveilance systems or dogs.

# 22 InterestHack said, on August 26th, 2006 at 7:34 am

@ #21

Agree with pretty much everything you said.. There are a few errors in there though. In the video demonstration What The Bump they tell how to make it so no marks are left. It’s quite easy too: Just use a piece of hot glue around the shoulder – no more marks.
And also, if you have a key that’s actually made properly then there is no “luck” about it. It just works. I think http://www.bumpkeyforum.com has links to the videos \ guides.

My best defense is still the shot gun i have in my closet

# 23 Alberto Catlano said, on September 18th, 2006 at 4:51 pm

I know I am behind the times and this is old news. I only saw the bump key videos yesterday and am not worried…
It won’t be long before every kid in my street knows how to make these bump keys. But will they all make them? NO. Who will use them? The same kids who are breaking into houses right now without bump keys but using screwdrivers, bricks etc. Personally, If I am going to be burgled, I’d rather they use a bump key than a brick through the window. They should show those vidoes in prisons so next time I get burgled I don’t have to sweep up the broken glass or replace the lock barrel on my door etc.
In the meantime someone is going to make a fortune inventing a cheap alternative secure lock system for doors (perhaps they’ve already invented it and are waiting for the bump key hysteria to hit before promoting it).
Insurance companies are probably going to increase their premiums because now that knowledge about bump keys is in the public domain they will probably have to pay out on claims where there is no evidence of forced entry.

# 24 Don said, on February 8th, 2007 at 11:26 am

numerous blissfully ignorant responses provided, thanks for nothing… Does anyone out there have an intelligent answer to the question “Is there any way to protect your home from the use of a bump key? Instructions please!?!?!” I don’t care to hear about dogs, baseball bats guns, insurance, police, kicking someone’s A$*, etc… I’d like a resonable and economical solution, if one exists. Thank you.

Leave Your Reply Below...

Comment Moderation is Active, so if your comment doesn't
show up immediately, please don't submit it again.

Special Deals 4U

25% off eHarmony subscription with code EHTECH
12-percent discount forever with code TECH
10-percent discount and free month using TECH10
10-percent or 30 dollars off weekly car rental!
Get 10-percent discount on car rental!
Get 10% off rental cars!
Get 10% off Dollar rentals!
Discounts on domain names!