Picking Lock with Bic Pen

09-17-2004, 11:00 AM

OK, so I wanted to try this myself, on my computer lock made my
Kensington. It is a circular-key lock, shown here

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Took my under a minute to open it. It appears this is a security flaw
with not just bike locks.....

09-17-2004, 02:24 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Greg) wrote in message news:<7c35cccc.0409171100.4e448213@posting.google. com>...
> OK, so I wanted to try this myself, on my computer lock made my
> Kensington. It is a circular-key lock, shown here
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> Took my under a minute to open it. It appears this is a security flaw
> with not just bike locks.....

Don't some soda vending machines use the same type of lock?

09-17-2004, 02:24 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Greg) wrote in message news:<7c35cccc.0409171100.4e448213@posting.google. com>...
> OK, so I wanted to try this myself, on my computer lock made my
> Kensington. It is a circular-key lock, shown here
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> Took my under a minute to open it. It appears this is a security flaw
> with not just bike locks.....

Don't some soda vending machines use the same type of lock?

09-17-2004, 02:24 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Greg) wrote in message news:<7c35cccc.0409171100.4e448213@posting.google. com>...
> OK, so I wanted to try this myself, on my computer lock made my
> Kensington. It is a circular-key lock, shown here
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> Took my under a minute to open it. It appears this is a security flaw
> with not just bike locks.....

Don't some soda vending machines use the same type of lock?

09-17-2004, 02:24 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Greg) wrote in message news:<7c35cccc.0409171100.4e448213@posting.google. com>...
> OK, so I wanted to try this myself, on my computer lock made my
> Kensington. It is a circular-key lock, shown here
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> Took my under a minute to open it. It appears this is a security flaw
> with not just bike locks.....

Don't some soda vending machines use the same type of lock?

09-17-2004, 03:08 PM

> > Took my under a minute to open it. It appears this is a security flaw
> > with not just bike locks.....
>
> Don't some soda vending machines use the same type of lock?

Yup.

The New York Daily News reported Friday that an Internet video has surfaced
showing how to pick one of the most secure locks known to cyclists: stick
the non-writing end of a Bic pen into the cylinder-shaped key hole and
twist.

Although the trick apparently works on many locks with tubular cylinder
technology including vending machines and some ignitions, it's the bike
industry's best known locksmith, Kryptonite, that's feeling most of the
heat.

09-17-2004, 03:08 PM

> > Took my under a minute to open it. It appears this is a security flaw
> > with not just bike locks.....
>
> Don't some soda vending machines use the same type of lock?

Yup.

The New York Daily News reported Friday that an Internet video has surfaced
showing how to pick one of the most secure locks known to cyclists: stick
the non-writing end of a Bic pen into the cylinder-shaped key hole and
twist.

Although the trick apparently works on many locks with tubular cylinder
technology including vending machines and some ignitions, it's the bike
industry's best known locksmith, Kryptonite, that's feeling most of the
heat.

09-17-2004, 03:08 PM

> > Took my under a minute to open it. It appears this is a security flaw
> > with not just bike locks.....
>
> Don't some soda vending machines use the same type of lock?

Yup.

The New York Daily News reported Friday that an Internet video has surfaced
showing how to pick one of the most secure locks known to cyclists: stick
the non-writing end of a Bic pen into the cylinder-shaped key hole and
twist.

Although the trick apparently works on many locks with tubular cylinder
technology including vending machines and some ignitions, it's the bike
industry's best known locksmith, Kryptonite, that's feeling most of the
heat.

09-17-2004, 03:08 PM

> > Took my under a minute to open it. It appears this is a security flaw
> > with not just bike locks.....
>
> Don't some soda vending machines use the same type of lock?

Yup.

The New York Daily News reported Friday that an Internet video has surfaced
showing how to pick one of the most secure locks known to cyclists: stick
the non-writing end of a Bic pen into the cylinder-shaped key hole and
twist.

Although the trick apparently works on many locks with tubular cylinder
technology including vending machines and some ignitions, it's the bike
industry's best known locksmith, Kryptonite, that's feeling most of the
heat.

09-17-2004, 04:36 PM

"Pat" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]:

>
>> > Took my under a minute to open it. It appears this is a security
>> > flaw with not just bike locks.....
>>
>> Don't some soda vending machines use the same type of lock?
>
> Yup.
>
> The New York Daily News reported Friday that an Internet video has
> surfaced showing how to pick one of the most secure locks known to
> cyclists: stick the non-writing end of a Bic pen into the
> cylinder-shaped key hole and twist.
>
> Although the trick apparently works on many locks with tubular
> cylinder technology including vending machines and some ignitions,
> it's the bike industry's best known locksmith, Kryptonite, that's
> feeling most of the heat.

The interesting thing about this exploit (to me, anyway) is that you can
hold a bit of plastic tube concealed in your hand, walk up to a stranger's
bike, and look like you're the owner... maybe just struggling a bit with a
cranky key. It's not like using a carjack, or a freon spray and hammer, or
lifting a bike over a street sign pole. I know that any lock can be picked
or bypassed by a determined thief. This is different. It looks just like a
legitimate owner unlocking his or her bike. No wonder people are upset.

I'm not in a high crime area, and when I do lock my bike it's pretty low
tech. If I did live in a risky area, I'd use a case hardened chain
(preferably 4-sided or hex) wrapped in an innertube, with a high security
shrouded padlock like a Medeco or Abloy.

--
Mike Barrs