66. Lockpicking and Security

2015-05-20

Many believe locks = safety. Learn how they work, how they’re picked, and why security is more about deterrence.

Audio Version MP3

NOTE: PLEASE PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE TWO COMMANDMENTS OF LOCKPICKING, IF YOU DECIDE TO TRY IT FOR YOURSELF.

  1. NEVER PICK A LOCK YOU DON’T OWN WITHOUT EXPLICIT PERMISSION.
  2. NEVER PICK A LOCK YOU RELY ON.

Also, the mechanism described here is a pin tumbler lock; there are a variety of locking mechanisms, but this is by far the most common. (Thanks to hbk from Reddit.)

A fantastic illustration of the picking method - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9hhBJHfwJE

Pablos Holman’s TED lecture about hackers and problem-solving - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqKafI7Amd8

An online supplier of lockpicking supplies (warning: laws vary by state) - https://www.lockpickshop.com/

A master picker absolutely wrecking some high-security locks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhF-m3CO0yQ

← Back to Episodes