What is ‘key Bumping’ and How Can it Affect My Home Security

<h1>What is ‘key Bumping’ and How Can it Affect My Home Security</h1>Author: <a title="Gavyn Smith" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/gavyn-smith/61321.htm">Gavyn Smith</a>  
 Key bumping may be one of the major threats to your home security that you may not know about. It is now a method quickly being made popular as videos are passed around the internet and indirect publicity is created from public news reports. The question that comes to mind with key bumping is the following: Is your home safe anymore with just a deadbolt on your front door? What can you do to prevent yourself from being burglarized using this simple method?
 The technique of key bumping originally goes back to at least the 1970s, as locksmiths shared a new way to get into a locked home taking only a matter of seconds and only using a ‘bump key’ to do the job. It quickly became more popular as the media grabbed wind of the method, with burglars and thieves then implementing the idea in their ‘work.’ In short, the idea has gained such popularity and publicity that it is a well-known technique among any common thief. Just search on youtube for example, and you will get a whole host of videos showing the technique. In order to help put a stop to that spread, I will list the basics of how the process works, so that you can get educated.
 The locks we generally use on our doors have not changed much since they were first invented years ago. Each basic lock contains a series of pins arranged in stacks, which when misaligned, cause the lock cylinder to not turn. When the proper key is inserted, it makes the pins align, which then allows the cylinder to turn. The basic idea of a bump key is to force a ‘blank key’ to become the key that turns the cylinder. How that happens is by inserting a key that has been filed properly to fit into the lock. Upon applying a small amount of force and ‘bumping’ they key, the pins are aligned for a moment, and the key can enter in, keeping the pins aligned properly. The process takes a matter of seconds once a proper-fitting key is made.
 The main threat of key bumping comes from the fact that it is an inexpensive method that works well for most standard deadbolts. So, what can you do to prevent the thief from breaking in? The main thing nowadays that an individual can do is get a high-end lock. While these may be more expensive, you pay for quality here, and the protection that most high-end locks provide is without price. Several brands such as KABA, Schlage, and Kwikset offer ‘bump-proof’ locks, which work by various different ways, but the main idea being to not allow ‘bumping.’ If you are shopping for a new deadbolt, make sure to find one that is advertised and reviewed as ‘bump-proof.’ In addition, there are several products that you can get, such as gels, which act to prevent ‘bumping’ as well.
 It is important also to realize that despite having a good deadbolt, most thieves would rather just break a window or door to get in a home since it takes even less time and there are no complications. However, there is also a way to protect against this, and that is employing door or window contacts which can detect the opening of their respective placements. The final idea is to combine all of these different elements in order to cover as many aspects of your home’s security as possible. 
Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8617796&nav=menu107_2">http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8617796&nav=menu107_2</a>About the Author: Gavyn Smith is an associate editor for the home security resource secure24seven. Please visit his site if you would like to see more about <a href="http://www.secure24seven.com"> home security </a> or read additional <a href="http://www.secure24seven.com/articles.php">home security articles</a>.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/what-is-key-bumping-and-how-can-it-affect-my-home-security-473845.html" title="What is ‘key Bumping’ and How Can it Affect My Home Security">What is ‘key Bumping’ and How Can it Affect My Home Security</a>

Key bumping may be one of the major threats to your home security that you may not know about. It is now a method quickly being made popular as videos are passed around the internet and indirect publicity is created from public news reports. The question that comes to mind with key bumping is the following: Is your home safe anymore with just a deadbolt on your front door? What can you do to prevent yourself from being burglarized using this simple method?

The technique of key bumping originally goes back to at least the 1970s, as locksmiths shared a new way to get into a locked home taking only a matter of seconds and only using a ‘bump key’ to do the job. It quickly became more popular as the media grabbed wind of the method, with burglars and thieves then implementing the idea in their ‘work.’ In short, the idea has gained such popularity and publicity that it is a well-known technique among any common thief. Just search on youtube for example, and you will get a whole host of videos showing the technique. In order to help put a stop to that spread, I will list the basics of how the process works, so that you can get educated.

The locks we generally use on our doors have not changed much since they were first invented years ago. Each basic lock contains a series of pins arranged in stacks, which when misaligned, cause the lock cylinder to not turn. When the proper key is inserted, it makes the pins align, which then allows the cylinder to turn. The basic idea of a bump key is to force a ‘blank key’ to become the key that turns the cylinder. How that happens is by inserting a key that has been filed properly to fit into the lock. Upon applying a small amount of force and ‘bumping’ they key, the pins are aligned for a moment, and the key can enter in, keeping the pins aligned properly. The process takes a matter of seconds once a proper-fitting key is made.

The main threat of key bumping comes from the fact that it is an inexpensive method that works well for most standard deadbolts. So, what can you do to prevent the thief from breaking in? The main thing nowadays that an individual can do is get a high-end lock. While these may be more expensive, you pay for quality here, and the protection that most high-end locks provide is without price. Several brands such as KABA, Schlage, and Kwikset offer ‘bump-proof’ locks, which work by various different ways, but the main idea being to not allow ‘bumping.’ If you are shopping for a new deadbolt, make sure to find one that is advertised and reviewed as ‘bump-proof.’ In addition, there are several products that you can get, such as gels, which act to prevent ‘bumping’ as well.

It is important also to realize that despite having a good deadbolt, most thieves would rather just break a window or door to get in a home since it takes even less time and there are no complications. However, there is also a way to protect against this, and that is employing door or window contacts which can detect the opening of their respective placements. The final idea is to combine all of these different elements in order to cover as many aspects of your home’s security as possible.

Source: http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8617796&nav=menu107_2

Gavyn Smith is an associate editor for the home security resource secure24seven. Please visit his site if you would like to see more about home security or read additional home security articles.

Rate this Article:

4 / 5 stars - 1 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/what-is-key-bumping-and-how-can-it-affect-my-home-security-473845.html

Article Tags: Home Improvement, Home Security, Burglary, Security Systems, Safes, Adt, Adt Equipment

Related Articles
Related Q&A

Latest Home Security Articles
More from Gavyn Smith

Five Home Security Tips for Holiday Times

By: Oswald Melman | 26/11/2009
All over the country, there are times during every year when the entire neighborhood seems to be on vacation. The winter holidays will find many families visiting relatives in different places, if only for a short time, while the summer holidays are the time when families will really get out and try to do something memorable. Either way, these two periods introduce a lot of questions to be answered on the home security front. If no one is at home, who is watching over the fort?

Home Security Systems for First-Time Parents

By: Oswald Melman | 26/11/2009
For couples, it changes everything. Gone are the days of late night Chinese food runs or unplanned weekend getaways. Having a baby entails creating a new lifestyle, one that is inherently and essentially different from the one that you have known for your entire life. While the birth of a couple’s first little one is accompanied by many stresses and changes, it is also one of the most joyful times in any adult’s life.

locksmith san jose emergency locksmith in san jsoe bay area 24 hour locksmith service car lockout service

By: ariel | 26/11/2009
How to Avoid Getting Locked Out Getting locked is something that’s almost inevitable eventually, the fact that you’re required every single day to remember all of your keys as you leave means that you’re bound to slip up at some point. Unfortunately it’s also one of the most irritating things that can happen and can leave you stranded in the garden for hours sometimes while you wait for help. In some cases it will ruin your plans for the day and make it a write off. As we often lock ourselves

locksmith san jose emergency locksmith service 24 hour locksmith san jose

By: ariel | 26/11/2009
What to do if you get Locked Out Even the most switched on of us sometimes leave our keys at work or shut them in the house. For those of us with automatically locking doors, actually locking our keys in the house is also a common occurrence. In these situations it’s easy to panic and break a window, or to write off the whole day as wasted, but if you keep a cool head and consider your options then there are certainly safer and quicker ways to deal with the problem.

Keys to Finding a Locksmith in Oakland

By: Hank. G | 26/11/2009
There are several instances when you will need a good locksmith in Oakland. Of course, during an emergency such as locking your keys in your car, you certainly know the importance of a quality technician. But, there are other times when knowing a locksmith who meets your standards will come in handy.

Fire Safety Precautions for Your Home

By: Liane | 26/11/2009
Educating yourself and your family on fire safety helps to lower your chances of a residential fire and gives you the knowledge of what to do in case of a fire. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), 410,000 residential fires in America caused more than 14,000 injuries and 3,000 deaths in 2004. You should be wary of fire accidents given these staggering statistics.

Cannon Safes

By: Agnes Lamont | 26/11/2009
Cannon has five main series of safe, they are the traditional, the cannon, the patriot, the american eagles series and the safari series. There are differences in all of these series as we will try to explain briefly in this article.

Locksmiths Sacramento

By: Sacramento Locksmiths | 26/11/2009
Welcome to Locksmith Sacramento - We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Offering professional and affordable emergency lockout, lock change, key duplication and security services with a 15 minutes of response time. Call us at (916) 252-0202 or contact us anytime

Home Security System Help: What You Should Know Before You Buy

By: Gavyn Smith | 03/09/2008 | Home Security
For one reason or another, you have finally decided it is time to look into security systems. Whether it is because you have recently experienced a break-in or you are moving into a new neighborhood, a home security system has suddenly become your new topic of interest! Be careful though, there are innumerable options available to you, from the varying amount of security companies to the extra accessories and equipment that you can choose from.

The Checklist for Anyone Who is Allowing Others on Their Property

By: Gavyn Smith | 29/08/2008 | Home Security
If you have decided to rent out your property, allow a babysitter or nanny to take care of your children, or hired a person to come clean your home, you could be at risk for a robbery or similar misfortunes. Each time someone comes into your home that is not already a part of that household, you are inviting a potential threat to your home’s security.

3 Problem Areas for Home Security

By: Gavyn Smith | 20/08/2008 | Home Security
I’ve had several readers recently question me about the most important home security tips they can follow. Sure there is a lot you can do for your home security, it is a never-ending adventure, since thieves can always find some hole in your security. However, there are three things that are of the utmost importance for your home security.

Important Things to Consider About Nanny Cams

By: Gavyn Smith | 31/07/2008 | Home Security
Many readers have been wondering recently about what they can do to keep an eye on their babysitters or nannies, and how to do it efficiently. Sometimes, children may not be disciplined by the nanny, or they may be over-disciplined by the nanny. Both extremes are not conducive to a good home environment...

How to Secure Your Home Without Even Installing a Security System

By: Gavyn Smith | 28/07/2008 | Home Security
Alright, so you caught me, I will admit it. Even if you have the most advanced, fully wired camera and bio-security system, you can still have your home broken into. I can tell this might upset some of you who just spent thousands of dollars on installing the best security system that the market sells right now, but it is the truth. Even with a security system, your home can be broken into...

What is ‘key Bumping’ and How Can it Affect My Home Security

By: Gavyn Smith | 06/07/2008 | Home Security
Key bumping may be one of the major threats to your home security that you may not know about. It is now a method quickly being made popular as videos are passed around the internet and indirect publicity is created from public news reports. The question that comes to mind with key bumping is the following: Is your home safe anymore with just a deadbolt on your front door? What can you do to prevent yourself from being burglarized using this simple method?

Tips and Tricks to Prevent Your Car From Being Stolen

By: Gavyn Smith | 03/07/2008 | Home Security
There is no doubt that auto theft is a serious threat to your personal security nowadays. It was reported in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports that a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States every 26.4 seconds, and that the odds of your vehicle being stolen are about 1 in 200. Basically, what this means is that there is a good chance that your car could be stolen, especially if you live in an urban area. So, in order to help prevent that theft as much as possible..

Safe Shopping: How to Find the Right Safe for Your Valuables

By: Gavyn Smith | 30/06/2008 | Home Security
It is a great feeling when you know you need a safe. Once you actually start looking for a safe, it means that you have enough valuables that you want to protect them from damage, so congratulations! Those valuables you can protect with a safe may include anything from important documents such as birth certificates, social security cards to that impossible-to-get Michael Jordan rookie card. For whatever reason you may be looking to..