Talks to Watch

(405) Choosing a High Security Lock

1.8M views · Oct 17, 2013 · 14:39 · 3 HN recommenders · 3 mentions · discussed 2016–2017

Lock-picking YouTuber Bill Johnson (BosnianBill) explains how to choose a high-security lock and why, showing examples and comparing designs. It covers what makes some padlocks more pick-resistant than others.

Why Hacker News points people here: HN users recommend it as an amusing, practical overview of padlocks from cheap to high security.

“Here's an amusing overview of available padlocks, starting with crap Master Locks and moving upward.”HN comment, 2017

What Hacker News said 3

RecommendsZancariusAug 2016

“I'd recommend these videos”

Guide to choosing a high security lock.

Full comment

Spend some time on bosnianbill's Youtube channel and you'll definitely get some tips. In particular, I'd recommend these videos: Buying Security: link Choosing a high Security Lock: this video (Be ware of about 2 minutes 30 seconds of sarcasm in the last one!) Otherwise, browse through the rest of his videos, skipping the challenge locks unless it's something that fascinates you: link Essentially, cheap locks can be bypassed very easily (almost anything by Masterlock). More expensive locks ($60+) will have more pins, making them harder to pick, and often have replaceable cores. Of course, security isn't just about the lock, which is addressed in the first video. Hope this gives you a starting point!

in “Hacker Unlocks ‘High Security’ Electronic Safes Without a Trace” · view on HN
RecommendsAnimatsMar 2017

“Here's an amusing overview of available padlocks, starting with crap Master Locks and moving upward.”

Overview of padlocks from cheap to high security.

Full comment

The top of the line in padlocks is the Sargent & Greenleaf 951 padlock, which is about $1300.[1] DoD uses these on weapons storage. Resists grinders, saws, liquid nitrogen, etc. Here's an amusing overview of available padlocks, starting with crap Master Locks and moving upward.[1] The ones that are hard to force or cut have large-diameter shackles, which probably won't fit a gym locker. [1] this video

in “The Document Which Used to Be Called the MIT Lockpicking Guide (1992)” · view on HN
RecommendsjavajoshSep 2017

“In this amusing video this guy goes over details of different locks”

Compares lock designs and why they differ in pick resistance.

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Some locks with open designs are difficult, or impossible to pick. In this amusing video this guy goes over details of different locks, and explains why they are not all created equal. this video

in “Coding in the open: how to do it securely” · view on HN