Another Lock Bites the Dust

After every Advent presentation, the inevitable question is asked, what is the best deadbolt on the market? Well, sorry to say that I have yet to find the deadbolt lock that cannot be bumped, picked, or defeated.

Let me try to explain the lock paradox here. People have a common belief that they must have a deadbolt lock on their doors because “experts” have trained us over the years to believe that deadbolt locks are the most secure type of lock for a door. Naturally, safety conscious people want the best type. The paradox comes into play because, deadbolt lock technology has not changed at all since it’s introduction, but the methods for defeating deadbolts has advanced to the point that deadbolts are no longer truly secure, and because so many people are unaware of this fact, they still cling to the only belief they’ve ever known, that deadbolts are the safest type of lock for their door.

Unfortunately, crooks are very well aware of this fact since most of them developed the methods to defeat the locks. Thanks to the deep web and hidden websites on the internet, they quickly spread this information to other crooks around the world.

So, one lady who watched my presentation later called my and told me she found a deadbolt that couldn’t be bumped. It said so on the package! I didn’t want to break it to her but, it was still easily defeated just as quickly by using another well-known technique. This poor lady spent $95 on a vulnerable lock to replace an $80 vulnerable lock.

That brings up another aspect to the paradox. People also have a misconception that if you want something better, you have to pay more. In this case, the issue here is not to pay more for better, but to block the technique which defeats your lock with simplicity! In most case, it’s cheaper too!

The deadbolt she is referring to is the KwikSet SmartkeyÔ lock system which the maker touts as:

Bump proof

Drill resistant

ANSI Grade 1 (highest level of residential security)

Superior pick resistant

Comes with a SmartKeyÔ learn tool to re-key your lock in seconds.

KwikSet Deadbolt with Bump Guard.

KwikSet Smart KeyÔ (seems I could make one of these with a piece of tin).

Ok, but does all that mean it can’t be defeated? No. Those are qualities of the lock, and they may be true, but that does not necessarily mean it has the ability to secure you door any better than your current deadbolt.

One advertisement for the KwikSet lock says: For those of you looking for a piece of mind when it comes to home security: the KwikSet's SmartKeyÔ deadbolt uses a new un-bumpable technology called a "side locking bar" instead of a traditional pins and tumblers system...The other notable feature of the KwikSet SmartkeyÔ system besides the stringent security feature is the option to self-program any key for the lock system yourself using a small adaptor which "learns" the new key, rendering the old one obsolete. So you can turn any old key into your new household key and streamline your keychain down to a single key, becoming your own locksmith.

(Note the words in italics, they are common positive “power words” commonly used in advertising to evoke an emotional response).

I don’t know about you, but that last line in the advertisement made me wonder, What’s to keep a crook from buying a lock just to get the adapter and “self program” his key to your lock? I don't know if that's possible, but I'm not taking that chance with my house.

As with the other techniques I show in my presentation, this lock only requires a $25 tool and a pair of household pliers to open.

As I have said before, the question should not be “What is the best lock”?  But, rather, how can I prevent my locks from being defeated? So, what’s the answer? I explain that in my presentation, and the solution is only $21.00. Still think you need to pay $95 for a “better” lock?

This post is not meant to downgrade or slander KwikSet. It is only meant as a warning to customers that the KwikSet SmartkeyÔ lock system is not as secure as advertised.

Guard yourself.