Anti-Pick & Anti-Bump: The Physical Security Glossary

Executive Summary

While movies show spies picking locks with paperclips in 3 seconds, reality is different. However, techniques like Lock Bumping allow unskilled attackers to open standard locks in seconds with zero skill.

The "Smart" advantage isn't just Wi-Fi; it's the ability to remove the keyway entirely, rendering 90% of physical attacks impossible.

The Threat Matrix

1. Lock Bumping (The "Key Gun")

• The Attack: A "Bump Key" (cut to the deepest depth) is inserted and tapped with a mallet. The vibration transfers energy to the driver pins (Newton's Cradle effect), momentarily jumping them above the shear line.
• Skill Level: Zero (YouTube tutorial).
• Vulnerability: Any standard pin-tumbler lock (Schlage C-Keyway, Kwikset KW1).
• Smart Defense: Keyless Locks (e.g., Yale Assure Key Free) are 100% immune. No hole = No bump.

2. Lock Picking (Raking & SPP)

• The Attack: Manipulating pins one by one (SPP) or scrubbing them (Raking) to find the shear line.
• Skill Level: Moderate to High.
• Smart Defense: Spool Pins and Serrated Pins. These security pins are shaped like spools; they "catch" on the cylinder wall if lifted incorrectly, giving false feedback and jamming the rotation.

3. Drilling

• The Attack: Using a cobalt drill bit to destroy the shear line or mounting screws.
• Skill Level: Low (Brute force).
• Smart Defense: Anti-Drill Plates. Hardened steel or ceramic plates (Ball Bearings) inserted in front of the cylinder spin with the drill bit, preventing it from biting into the metal.

Advanced Countermeasures

1. Kwikset SmartKey™ (The Wafer Solution)

SmartKey cylinders don't use pins. They use side-locking bars and wafers.

• Pros: Mechanically immune to traditional bumping and picking.
• Cons: Susceptible to "Force" attacks (screwdriver torque) in earlier generations (Gen 1/2). Gen 3 is significantly tougher.

2. Disc Detainer (The Nuclear Option)

Found in high-end locks like Abloy (and some custom smart lock cores).

• Mechanism: Rotating discs instead of lifting pins.
• Security: Requires specialized, expensive tools to pick. Virtually bump-proof.

3. Sidebars (Schlage Primus)

A secondary locking bar that checks for "side cuts" on the key.

• Security: Raises the difficulty level to "Expert."

Comparison: Keyway Types

Real World Risk Assessment

Should you pay extra for "Anti-Pick"?

• Urban Apartment: Yes. Bumping is preferred because it is quiet and leaves no evidence (clean entry).
• Rural/Suburban Home: No. Statistics show burglars kick doors. Focus on ANSI Grade 1 (Impact Resistance) rather than pick resistance.

Related Tools

• Lock Grading Decoder: Check if your lock is ANSI Grade 1.
• Fire Rating Guide: Security vs Safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a Keyless Lock dies?

Without a keyhole, you use the 9V Jump Start. Hold a 9V battery to the two external terminals. This powers the chip enough to enter your code. It does NOT charge the lock.

Is biometric safer than a key?

Yes. keys can be copied at a kiosk in Home Depot. Fingerprints cannot (easily). Removing the keyway removes the easiest vector for unauthorized duplication.

Can I upgrade my cylinder?

Yes. Most smart locks (August, Level, Yale) allow you to swap the cylinder. You can install a high-security Mul-T-Lock or Medeco cylinder into a standard smart lock housing for maximum protection.