You lock your front door and turn in for the night. You tell your kids to lock the door when they are home alone. You may even lock your door when a storm starts to brew outside. For some reason we equate locked doors with safety. Unfortunately, a door lock may not always provide the protection it should. In fact, a tool, which recently surfaced on the Internet, is giving thieves a way to break in to homes in a matter of seconds.
It is shocking news to say the least–a simple master key could get thieves in. It’s called lock-bumping and security experts say thousands of locks are vulnerable to it. The method is called lock-bumping, but it’s more like lock-popping. Thieves simply insert the special key and they’re in. So how does it work? Experts say: “It causes all the pin tumblers in the lock to split and the lock opens. And, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a deadbolt lock on a business or a lock on your house. Chances are, it can be rapidly bumped open.”
If the concept sounds familiar to you, you may be on to something. Locksmiths have been lock bumping for years. However, now the special keys are turning up online– where anyone can get one. Which means your jewels, valuable collectibles and other high priced items are vulnerable, despite where you keep them in your home. Experts say the device allows a person to bump 95% of the locks that are on the market. Door locks, pad locks, jewelry box locks—they are all vulnerable.
But don’t despair; experts say there is a way to protect yourself, your home and your valuables. Manufacturers have begun to mark specialty locks, which are safe from lock bumpers. They are priced a bit more than your average lock—about a hundred dollars apiece– but it may give you added peace of mind… and that’s hard to put a price tag on. Another bonus: buying a high security lock could lower your homeowners’ insurance rates.