EvilZone
Hacking and Security => Tutorials => : Wolf May 23, 2012, 03:22:19 AM
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Today lady and gents, I'm writing a tutorial on the physical hack that is lock picking.
The set I use is a simple, eleven piece set that i got for about 40 bucks on the greatness that is the internet. However, you could also use the clip of a pen or a small screw driver as the tension wrench, and a bobby pin or a safety pin as your pick. ( I did for a great while much to the annoyance of anyone with a lock) please note that if you are making your own make-shift set, screw drivers do not work well on pad locks because, surprise, it moves! If you don't understand how this affects its efficiency, keep reading.
The first thing you need to know is that there are two important tools when it comes to picking.
-The Tension Wrench
Usually in the shape of an L, it's wide, but not thick.
-The Pick
The pick could be a number of shapes for different techniques, but the simplest (and easiest) have a small upward turn. If you are using a safety pin for this use a pair of pliers to snip off the point, otherwise it could get in between the pins and then you'd have a broken lock.
So you've got a lock (I'm assuming it takes a key and not a combination) and some picks, now what?
1: First find out what way the key turns to open the lock.
This is pretty simple, if you don't already know what way it turns, put your tension wrench in the keyhole, and see which way has more give. Most keys turn clock wise so if you can't tell, it's your best bet.
2: Put tension on your tension wrench.
No duh, right? What you're doing is turning the cylinder of the lock until the pins stop it, putting pressure on the pins. That way, when you push a pin up, it stays up and the cylinder turns a bit more each time. The thing to note here is not to put too much pressure on your wrench or you'll be stopping the pins from moving and hurting the lock. Keep steady pressure, and don't let go. (Never let go, jack)
3: Start picking.
There are a few ways to do this, but none of them should be using brute force. You can A: Scrub it
B: Go pin by pin
Scrubbing is the quick and dirty way, but it doesn't always work. To scrub, stick your pick in the back of the lock and literally scrub it across the pins (Like you're brushing teeth) all the while keeping tension on your wrench. Again, this doesn't always work, but it is a good starting point for harder locks. Just be semi-gentle.
Going pin by pin is the way I prefer. It's quieter, it turns it into more of a puzzle, and with some locks there are pins you're not suppose to hit. (You shouldn't run into many of these unless you're really into trouble.) Put your pick in, start at the back and gently lift pin by pin. You may have to bounce it a few times, adjust your pressure on the wrench, but it gets the job done. This way requires you to rely on a lot on you're hearing and touch. You should be able to tell when a pin drops back by a small click, you should know when you're almost done because the cylinder has moved a bit.
4: The turn
Did I mention to keep pressure on that wrench? Good. keep turning it, till the lock is disengaged. it can be very disappointing to be working on a lock for five minutes, only to find you didn't turn it all the way and re-lock it.
Additional notes:
Take your time at first. Just above I mentioned five minutes, and I was serious. Take your time at first or something will get broken. You can always get faster later.
(Also, I had images, but they will be added to this tutorial when i am on my own computer. i am currently at school.)
(Working on a video tutorial but am currently working on setting up a miniature/mock door for my collection of locks)
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Nice one! I applaud you
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I am unsure of the technique used, but techb had to pick the lock to our back bedroom the other day. I'm pretty sure all he used were bobby pins.
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Nice one! I applaud you
Thank you kind sir :)
I am unsure of the technique used, but techb had to pick the lock to our back bedroom the other day. I'm pretty sure all he used were bobby pins.
Bobby pins are pretty amazing if you lack an actual set.
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Great tutorial wolf!
But I didn't get one thing: how do you put pressure on the tension wrench?
I mean in what way, if we put it in and try to turn it clockwise then it just turns and nothing happens :o
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it turns when you have all the pins correct. By applying pressure, you move the cylinder to the side by a millimeter or something, so when you pick one pin, it stays in place and doesn't pop out. When you release the pressure, cylinder comes back into place and all pins reset.
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Link. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpH_t0u5Ybg&feature=related)
Nuff said.
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Great tutorial wolf!
But I didn't get one thing: how do you put pressure on the tension wrench?
I mean in what way, if we put it in and try to turn it clockwise then it just turns and nothing happens :o
Thank you! And You put pressure downwards to turn the key clock wise as Kulver said, thats what keeps the pins from dropping back down.
Link. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpH_t0u5Ybg&feature=related)
Nuff said.
Bump keys are amazing, (as is scam school ;) ) but for longer keys and padlocks they tend not to work.
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I got into this stuff last year, and one thing i can tell yall for sure is practice. a lot. get a cheap masterlock, sold everywhere, and go to town. if it's your first lock, you should be able to get it in about 5-10 min, times decrease from there. ALWAYS use the right pick for the job, i've had friends bend the crap out of my set. just remember, it's solid. don't use force, you're not going to crack it open. Develop feel and patience. Work back to front, usually works for me.
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Or you could just use an electric lockpicker. More expensive but cheaper.
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Or you could just use an electric lockpicker. More expensive but cheaper.
This is an old topic..
Also, more expensive but cheaper? Yeah that makes sense..
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Also, more expensive but cheaper? Yeah that makes sense..
The only thing I can think of him meaning, if this isn't a typo, is that it's cheaper as in less 'fair'. I've never used an electric lock pick, but I'd imagine it doesn't feel as good as gently caressing the lock open with a pick and tension wrench.
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The only thing I can think of him meaning, if this isn't a typo, is that it's cheaper as in less 'fair'. I've never used an electric lock pick, but I'd imagine it doesn't feel as good as gently caressing the lock open with a pick and tension wrench.
Indeed, these new toys (bump keys and electronic pickers) just takes all the fun and spirit out of it :-\ I guess its what separates the hobbyists from the burglars..
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Indeed, these new toys (bump keys and electronic pickers) just takes all the fun and spirit out of it :-\ I guess its what separates the hobbyists from the burglars..
yeah, i agree, but i would choose speed over skills if i actually needed it for something. just saying
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Wow this is old,
I'm doubting (While not saying any of you fine people are liars) that any of you have used an electric pick set.Imagine you're on a dark alley, or a quiet spot in a mall, you found your door you need behind... You look over your shoulders, pull out your tool... and surprise! It's loud as fuck.
It's also harder to hide and harder to improvise one. So while new tools are wonderful things, it never hurts to know the basics. Especially if you're picking and don't want any one to hear you....
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Sorry if I'm necroing a bit but I have a few tips on this.
1) Be gentle on the tension wrench. It's easy to over torque especially when you are first getting started.
2) There is a difference between a rake and a pick. Using a rake is a good way to "prime" the pins, but in cheaper locks can pop it in less than ten seconds.
3) As Wolf stated, using an electric pick is way too loud to be practical. Unless the place you are trying to get into is VERY remote it is best to avoid using an electric pick.
4) Bump keys are a good way to jam a lock and doing this often leaves behind evidence (damaged pins) that prove the lock was brute forced. The idea is to get in and out without being noticed.
5) If you are getting past physical security of any kind or hacking a computer on-site it is best to have someone you can trust with your life watching out for you. It's easy to get ambushed by security while you are concentrating on a challenging task, having a wingman watching for you and communicating via encrypted shortwave radios nearly eliminates this risk. Word to the wise though, two is a party three is a crowd. The more people you have the more likely you are to get noticed. I never work on-site with more than two other people.
6) Lock up after yourself! On your way out lock everything back, picking works both ways and if the door is locked when they come back they likely won't notice that their computer has been compromised (if you covered your tracks).
7) Learn and understand military/law enforcement raiding tactics and adapt them to what you are doing. Preparation is everything, spend weeks preparing for a two hour on-site and you likely won't get caught. Rushing in blind will get you busted.
Any-who, just a few tips for on-site hacking; hope this helps someone. Probably best not to try it under real world conditions unless you really know what you are doing though.
Sources: Military training, security consultant work, common sense.
Addendum: If you guys are interested I could do a series of physical security penetration testing tutorials. It's an interesting subject for study and there are definitely parallels to computer security pentesting. Just a thought, let me know if there is an interest.
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Addendum: If you guys are interested I could do a series of physical security penetration testing tutorials. It's an interesting subject for study and there are definitely parallels to computer security pentesting. Just a thought, let me know if there is an interest.
The point of a forum is to share knowledge. No need to ask, just go ahead and share. I'm sure plenty will find it interesting. ;)
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The point of a forum is to share knowledge. No need to ask, just go ahead and share. I'm sure plenty will find it interesting. ;)
This.
Feel free to share any and all knowledge you have.. We love it, we're like blank canvases to be filled with knowledge. There are every type of people here that have different interest. I am going to guarantee someone else here has a few of the same interests as you...
Knowledge belongs to the world!
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Lol, yeah. Stupid question. ;D I'll work on a set of guides and try to get some up soon. Have a busy weekend ahead of me but I will see if I can get some introductory guides up this week.
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I have been lock picking for a bit and i keep changing my church sign to say random stuff. for example the last one was "all dogs go to heaven!" the one before that was "god loves gays" etc. its fun. also, i got into my pool so i could swim at night
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Suppose someone wanted to get into lock picking. Which tools are suggested for starters? What reputable establishments are recommended for acquiring said tools (either online or an actual brick and mortar shop)?
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i have book on this called visual guide to lock picking i picked up for 10 bucks that and a set of picks dont try to make your own waste of time if your new. and a very nice small tension wrench are all you need. to pick most locks for other types of locks you need other tools.
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Suppose someone wanted to get into lock picking. Which tools are suggested for starters? What reputable establishments are recommended for acquiring said tools (either online or an actual brick and mortar shop)?
truesword.com has a lockpicking set or two for fairly cheap, but their shipping to the US is like $15 for it... Just happened to spot it while looking at some additions to my knife collection.
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Sorry for bringing this back to life, but I though idd post this: http://www.bumpmylock.com/ This is where I got my set. All good there.
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Sorry for bringing this back to life, but I though idd post this: http://www.bumpmylock.com/ (http://www.bumpmylock.com/) This is where I got my set. All good there.
Shit? this website has some awesome stuff, especially the spy gear section. +1
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you can get some fairly decent stuff for pretty cheap here
http://dx.com/c/electrical-tools-499/hand-tools-404/lock-picks-and-tools-433
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Well written tutorial! I'm not really into this, but it is always good to learn new things.
Thank you for sharing!
::Edit:: Noticed that this thread was gravedigged...