I just learned that someone can open almost ANY lock be it a padlock,house lock or ignition switch with something called a "bump key" They are easily made at home and work very fast & do not damage the lock in any way. It looks like the best defence is an ignition cutoff or multiple locks to get at you car. (they need a different key for each lock).

I just learned that someone can open almost ANY lock be it a padlock,house lock or ignition switch with something called a "bump key" They are easily made at home and work very fast & do not damage the lock in any way. It looks like the best defence is an ignition cutoff or multiple locks to get at you car. (they need a different key for each lock).

Bump keys have been around for a long time, before that they used a pick and a blade to get it unlocked. A bump key is the same thing, just a little more automatic. That's why they desinged the magnetic lock, as it can't be picked. Problem with those, is that the keys lose their magnetic pull after a period of time. Someone also designed a kind of Bump key for the Magnetic locks also. It's a key with magnetic rotating cylinders on it. I have been told that any lock can be picked, it just that some take a bit more time than others. This is why I have a hidden alarm with a hidden switch in my Chevelle. Hopefully, by the time they find it, I can be back to my car.

Fred.

I'm going to put a GPS locater in my frame. :)

Only problem with that is......you MAY only find the frame!!

Paging alarms are a good addition as well... assuming you are in range.

i am amazed by some of the lock picking i have seen. when i was in high school there was this kid who could walk right down the hallway unlocking all the combination locks on the hall lockers almost as fast as he could walk. he would just walk along, pick the locks and swing the doors open. i have no idea how he did it although he told me you could just feel it when you were hitting the right number. then years later, i worked with this guy who could take any desk or file cabinet key you gave him and open any desk or file cabinet with it. he didn't use it like normal, he used it to pick the lock. i had him open files or desks on weekends several times when i had to get at something at work and the right people werent there. still it never ceased to amaze me how they did that. EDIT: granted none of those are very sophisticated locks, however, to someone like me who is all thumbs, i was impressed.