Lock Bumping - A Fast Growing & Easy Home Invasion Technique

If you think your home is secured just because the doors are locked, you had better think again. Lock bumping is the serious security threat to all doors, padlocks on houses, shops, offices, factories, caravans, and mobile homes using ordinary house keys. It takes very little effort to break into the home, as I watched a 10 year old do it on a You Tube clip in less than 30 seconds.

The technique works on more than 90% of homes and bump keys can be made in less than five minutes. When a bump key is used to break into your house then there is no sign of forced entry or damage to the lock. Insurance companies are uneasy in paying for the claim because of this, plus you can loose everything and not get compensated. This is a very disturbing thing, considering lock bumping wasn’t ever meant to be like this.

Lock Bumping Background

In the 1970's, locksmiths introduced a technique for tapping or bumping on a lock cylinder while applying slight pressure to the back of the lock plug or while pushing the key into the hole with a little extra pressure. When the pins would jump inside the lock cylinder, the plug would be able to slide out freely and disassemble the lock quickly. This was an easy and quick solution for locksmiths back then. It wasn’t until 2002 when criminals gained knowledge of this and began using it as a way to gain entry into someone’s house. Now lock bumping and bump keys are sweeping the internet and America with record speeds. However there are solutions to prevent lock bumping from happening to you.

Lock Bumping Solutions

Taking extra security measures like alarm systems, automatic lighting in and outdoors and pets are all great ways to help protect your home whether or not you're home.

Medeco and Schlage Primus both make locks that are bump-proof. They are a little more expensive than ordinary locks, costing anywhere from $100-$200 for each, but they are well worth it.

Another company based in Europe called Pickbuster is also another great alternative. Pickbuster produces shock absorbers for cylinders, along with many other types of locks, door viewers, hinges, handles and hooks. They have a distributor located in Columbus, OH and you can visit them on the web at www.unbumpable.com.