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The MIT Lockpicking Guide

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Re: The MIT Lockpicking Guide

#61

Post by mitosis »

devindotcom wrote: post #57
Stratoscope wrote: post #56

If anyone is wondering, everywhere the guide mentions "sheer force" and "sheer line", that should be "shear force" and "shear line". It's like "wind shear". "Sheer" doesn't even make any sense in this context: "sheer force" would be twisting the tumbler so hard you break all the pins, and that would not exactly be considered "lock picking"! What's interesting to me is how pervasive this misspelling has become. A Goog…

Rest assured, soon there will be only one word, with multiple, conflicting meanings - same as the last hundred or so conflicts. That's living language for you!

Eye no.

Re: The MIT Lockpicking Guide

#62

Post by rtkwe »

grkvlt wrote: post #32
fabulist wrote: post #5

On a legal note; IANAL, but I did a little research before getting started in lock picking a while back. iirc, there are no federal laws against having picks. However, states often have laws against "possession of burglary tools". In my jurisdiction, if they can establish intent to burglarize -- ie, you're also carrying an empty duffel bag, a crowbar, and a map with the bank circled on it -- its a class II felony. I…

An obvious hack to get around this would be to put 'Locksmith' on your business card, or get a set of cards advertising a side business as a Locksmith. Bingo, they're not burglary tools, they are required tools of the trade for your profession, similar to knife exemptions for Chefs.

Most states require locksmiths to be certified and advertising services without being licensed is a bigger infraction than carrying picks.

Re: The MIT Lockpicking Guide

#63

Post by ganeumann »

emhart wrote: post #38
sampo wrote: post #9

Why does most of the world continue to use the pin tumbler locks, when the disc tumbler lock (invented in 1907) is almost impossible to pick? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pin_tumbler_lock http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_tumbler_lock

Disc Detainer locks are far from impossible to pick: Disc Detainer lock talk from LayerOne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv5N6pHXf-E "We need to start attacking disc detainer locks" from Shmoocon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT0PDQUZi74 Nirav Patel's 3D printed DDetainer key: http://eclecti.cc/hardware/physical-keygen-now-for-disc-deta... Guide to Disc Detainer Locks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnW5GgaDKF…

For those interested in the Great Lock Controversy of 1851: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/crime/features/2013/the_l...

Re: The MIT Lockpicking Guide

#66

Post by delinka »

The goal of your [physical?] security shouldn't be to be uncrackable, but to delay the would-be criminal long enough to be detected and, hopefully, apprehended. "Yes, the lock can be picked in a week, but by then, your employees should have returned to the office and noticed the burglar picking away at it."

It's easier to just walk into the open bank, masked, and make demands. And there's still a chance to get away with it. A chance, however slim.

Re: The MIT Lockpicking Guide

#67

Post by snake_plissken »

a1a wrote: post #16
sampo wrote: post #9

Why does most of the world continue to use the pin tumbler locks, when the disc tumbler lock (invented in 1907) is almost impossible to pick? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pin_tumbler_lock http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_tumbler_lock

Burglars in general do not read MIT guides. Even if some might, security is still a weakest link problem. The easiest way into a house is by window, the letterbox, etc, speaking of locks in general it's easiest just to use a bolt cutter.

And most ironically, no one take notice of the person nonchalantly carrying 36 inch bolt cutters.

Re: The MIT Lockpicking Guide

#68

Post by nodata »

sampo wrote: post #19
nodata wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is it more difficult because the locks are less common?

Says Wikipedia: "Picking the lock is not impossible, but requires a lot of time, a dedicated, professionally made tool and special expertise."

Thanks, I can read Wikipedia. The point is that picking a tumbler lock requires those things too.

Re: The MIT Lockpicking Guide

#69

Post by jjoonathan »

at-fates-hands wrote: post #54
a1a wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Burglars in general do not read MIT guides. Even if some might, security is still a weakest link problem. The easiest way into a house is by window, the letterbox, etc, speaking of locks in general it's easiest just to use a bolt cutter.

>>> speaking of locks in general it's easiest just to use a bolt cutter. Which is why I never understood the Master Lock commercials where they shoot a bullet into the body of one of their padlocks showing how tough it is.

No, I think you understand the commercial just fine.

Re: The MIT Lockpicking Guide

#70

Post by vacri »

darksim905 wrote: post #36

I still don't see why this was "renamed" or why it's being posted at other sites -- was it originally taken down from MIT or moved or not maintained or what?

At a guess, "MIT Lockpicking Guide" implies a guide to picking locks at MIT, but "MIT Guide to Lockpicking" implies a general guide supplied by MIT.
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