Talks to Watch

Breaking into a Suitcase with a Ballpoint Pen and What You Can Do About It

931K views · Jun 5, 2012 · 4:07 · 0 HN recommenders · 5 mentions · discussed 2015–2016

ITS Tactical demonstrates how a ballpoint pen can open a zippered suitcase without leaving a trace, bypassing its lock, and suggests countermeasures.

Why Hacker News points people here: Cited in TSA luggage-lock threads to show that locks on zippered bags offer little real security.

“Most bags can be opened and closed with a ball point pen WITHOUT A TRACE completely bypassing any locks.”HN comment, 2015

What Hacker News said 5

Cites itchiphSep 2015

“You jam it in the nylon teeth so they separate, and you can loot the bag.”

Demonstrates opening zippers with a pen without trace.

Full comment

So use a ballpoint pen on the zipper. You jam it in the nylon teeth so they separate, and you can loot the bag. Afterwards, use the zipper pull to heal the teeth and there's no trace you were in there. this video To counter this (and unauthorized use of a TSA key), wrap your bag in industrial cling-wrap plastic. You should also go right to baggage claim when you land. Most airports don't have someone looking at the bag claim receipts, so thieves can walk right out with a bag.

Cites itlotuSep 2015
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Honestly I doubt it will become a big deal outside of the tech community. Most people realize luggage locks aren't really there to protect against a determined adversary, or a person with a ballpoint pen this video

in “Lockpickers 3-D Print TSA Master Luggage Keys from Leaked Photos” · view on HN
Cites itedkoSep 2015

“you can very easily open the zipper with a ballpoint pen”

Zippers can be opened with a pen and reclosed.

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The chain always breaks by the weakest link. Considering that you can very easily open the zipper with a ballpoint pen ( this video ), and close it again as if it was never open, that the secret of the lock was revealed is irrelevant.

in “Lockpickers 3-D Print TSA Master Luggage Keys from Leaked Photos” · view on HN
Cites itlimaoscarjulietDec 2015

“Most bags can be opened and closed with a ball point pen WITHOUT A TRACE completely bypassing any locks.”

Bags can be opened with a pen bypassing locks.

Full comment

Most bags can be opened and closed with a ball point pen WITHOUT A TRACE completely bypassing any locks. this video

in “TSA Doesn’t Care That Its Luggage Locks Have Been Hacked” · view on HN
Cites itszemetJul 2016

“Only a ballpoint pen is needed, and you will never know someone messed with your luggage.”

Ballpoint pen opens zippers without leaving trace.

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Zip tie? Only a ballpoint pen is needed, and you will never know someone messed with your luggage. Definitely easier than any lock... this video

in “Security experts have cloned all seven TSA master keys” · view on HN