Practical Lock Picking: A Physical Penetration Tester’s Training Guide introduces the reader to the basic principles of lock picking. The book combines both easy-to-follow, step-by-step lessons, and tutorials that will help security-conscious people learn how to open most of the locks they may encounter during auditing or assessment work. It covers the fundamentals of pin tumbler and wafer locks; the basics of picking; beginner and advanced training; and quick entry techniques. Whether the student will be hired at some point to penetrate security or simply trying to harden his or her own defenses, this book is essential.
This instructional manual focuses on pin tumbler locks, the construction and function of which are illustrated with the aid of several diagrams. Everything from straightforward lock picking to quick-entry techniques like shimming, bumping, and bypassing are explained and shown. Guides and exercises demonstrate the use of basic lock-picking tools in order to manipulate and open these locks. The text also describes the most common "alternative" designs of pin tumbler locks and summarizes the tools and techniques that can be effective against them. It comes with a DVD filled with indispensable lock picking videos and color photos.
This book is an ideal reference for penetration testers, security consultants, and IT security professionals as well as hackers.
Key Features
- Detailed photos make learning as easy as picking a lock
- DVD is filled with indispensible lock picking videos and color photos
- Extensive appendix details tools and toolkits currently available for all your lock picking needs
Foreword
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Ethical Considerations
Introduction
Chapter 1 Fundamentals of pin tumbler and wafer locks
Pin tumbler locks
The plug
Pin tumbler lock operation
Wafer locks
Wafer lock construction
Wafer lock operation
Better wafer locks
Summary
Chapter 2 The basics of picking: Exploiting weaknesses
Exploiting Weaknesses in Locks
Manufacturing imperfections
Mechanical imperfections lead to security weaknesses
Picking with a Lifting Technique
The problem of too much tension
The peril of overlifting
Picking with a Raking Technique
The half diamond pick
Tension tools
Jiggler tools
Summary
Chapter 3 Beginner training: How to get very good, very fast
A Word on Equipment
Cutaway locks
Progressively pinned locks
The importance of a vice
The Basics of Field Stripping
Starter Exercises
Inserting and moving the pick
Feeling the spring
Setting a single pin stack
Learning Exercises
Slow down, lighten up
Two pin stacks
Three pin stacks
Four pin stacks and beyond
Challenging Yourself Further
Deep reach practice
Blindly mix and match
Using Rakes and Jigglers
Techniques of tool movement
Wafer Lock Exercises
Progressive wafer locks
Tensioning wafer locks
Extra Hints
Which way to turn
Plugs stuck upside-down
Summary
Chapter 4 Advanced training: Learning some additional skills
Pick-resistant pins
Pins with lips
Pins with serrations
Coordinated pick-resistant components
Specialized picking techniques
Counter-rotation
Specialized picking tools
Featherweight tension tools
Bogotá jiggler rakes
Practice exercises
Spooled progressive practice locks
Pick-resistant keyways
Real-world locks that offer greater challenges
Defiant brand door locks
Master Lock color-plated series and fusion series
American Lock padlocks
Advanced security pin cylinder
Summary
Chapter 5 Quick-entry tricks: Shimming, bumping, and bypassing
Padlock shims
The Deviant beer can shim
Double shimming
Unshimmable padlocks
Snapping and bumping
Snap guns
Bump keys
Comb picks
Overlifting
Using comb picks
American Lock bypass tool
Door bypassing
Slip attacks against latch bolts
Triggering door handles and push bars
Summary
Chapter 6 They all come tumbling down: Pin tumblers in other configurations
Tubular locks
Inside a tubular lock
Pick tools for tubular locks
Picking tubular locks
Odd styles of tubular locks
Cruciform locks
Manually picking a cruciform lock
Cross lock picks
Dimple locks
The secret weakness in 90% of padlocks
Summary
Appendix: Guide to tools and toolkits
Index
McCloud: Visual Guide to Lock Picking, 2e (Standard, 2002) ISBN: 9780970978813 $24.95 / 96 pages BOOKSCAN: 2563
Hampton: Modern High-Security Locks (Palladin Press, 2002) ISBN: 9781581602951 $20.00 / 144 pages. BOOKSCAN: 1892
Chick: Steel Bolt Hacking (TheNetworkAdministrator, 2004) ISBN: 9780974463018 $19.95 / 110 pages BOOKSCAN: 1467
Penetration testers, security consultants, and IT security professionals, hackers
