66. Lockpicking & Security | THUNK

3,336 views · Published 20 May 2015 · 5:35 · Indexed 7 October 2026

Channel: THUNK · 2015 · Education

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Many believe locks = safety. Learn how they work, how they're picked, & why security is more about deterrence.

NOTE: PLEASE PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE TWO COMMANDMENTS OF LOCKPICKING, IF YOU DECIDE TO TRY IT FOR YOURSELF.

1. NEVER PICK A LOCK YOU DON'T OWN WITHOUT EXPLICIT PERMISSION.
2. NEVER PICK A LOCK YOU RELY ON.

Also, the mechanism described here is a pin tumbler lock; there are a variety of locking mechanisms, but this is by far the most common. (Thanks to hbk from Reddit.)

-Links for the Curious-

A fantastic illustration of the picking method - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9hhBJHfwJE

Pablos Holman's TED lecture about hackers & problem-solving - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqKafI7Amd8

An online supplier of lockpicking supplies (warning: laws vary by state) - https://www.lockpickshop.com/

A master picker absolutely wrecking some high-security locks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhF-m3CO0yQ

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