3 Methods Burglars Use To Open Your Lock

A secure home is essential for the safety and security of your family and possessions. Most people don't realize the various methods thieves use to access your home or business. With the right information, you can quickly identify and prevent lock manipulation. Here are three methods burglars use to open your lock and what you can do to protect your home from these intruders.

1. Lockpicking

Burglars can alter the lock's components without a key to access your door lock. They accomplish this by inserting a lock pick into the lock's keyhole. The burglars then use the lock pick to adjust the pins inside the lock's cylinder until they line up. When the burglar positions the pins correctly, they use the lock pick to turn the cylinder and open it.

As a lockpick travels inside the lock, it might leave visible markings like scratches and shining metal bits that are finer than those left by the original key. These markings may be difficult to detect, but if you find them, it could mean that someone attempted to pick your lock.

The number of pins inside the cylinder determines the difficulty of lockpicking. The greater the number of pins, the more components the thief must adjust to unlock the lock. Also, robbers must overcome a varied pin angle provided by the side locking pins when they pick the lock. Thus, use locks with a higher number of pins or locks with side locking pins to make it more difficult for intruders to pick your lock.

2. Bumping

Bumping involves filing down a key's teeth into multiple sharp points, which a burglar then inserts into a corresponding keyhole and pulls out with one click. The burglar then strikes the key with a blunt object, pulls out one click at a time, and repeats the process until the inserted key catches all of the lock tumblers. Finally, the burglar rotates the key to unlock the lock.

This approach leaves little trace of tampering, but inexperienced users may leave visible markings such as scratches around the lock from pounding the key too hard or bright metal edges from the impact of the instrument used to hit the key. You can retrofit your locks with unique key profiles, blocking pins that identify illegitimate keys, and anti-bump cylinder pins to prevent bumping.

3. Brute Force

Brute force is a lock manipulation method that uses physical force to open it. Such methods can include pounding on the lock, drilling into it, or even kicking it down. Brute force is a clumsier and less sophisticated method of lock manipulation.

Drilling is one of the most common methods of brute force lock picking. Because cordless drills eliminate the need for a power cord, it has become easier for anyone to drill through locks. Ensure the lock you use consists of toughened materials such as hardened steel, which can make it more challenging to drill through.

Snapping is another method that relies on physical force. Snapping entails utilizing improvised tools to snap the lock, which exposes the mechanism and allows the burglar to unlock it with a screwdriver. The only way to avoid snapping is to switch both the keys and the lock with an "anti-snap" system. This snap-resistance technology assures that the lock cannot be altered even if it snaps.

Evidence of forceful manipulation on your lock includes paint marks around the lock fixture, which indicate that the burglar loosened and retightened the lock out of place. Furthermore, the deadbolts or latches may bend or warp, and the door or doorframe may lean out of place. Finally, you may notice splintered wood or twisted metal if the burglar attempted to break the lock or drill through the deadbolt.

A locksmith can help upgrade your locks for added home security after an attempted break-in incident or to prevent potential break-ins. Contact us at Atlasta Lock and Safe Company for locksmith services.