does a "Snap Gun" really work??

[Xamul]

Interesting...

I thought this was an interesting way to make a homemade lock pick gun:

http://www.sorgonet.com/security/hdlockpicking/

They've got a video on the bottom of the page showing the device at work. What do you guys think?

[TheCotMan]

What do you guys think?

Points for ingenuity.
Points for building from computer parts.
Points for "look what I can do" and
Points for approach
Minus points for being bulky/unweldly
Overall, amusing and entertaining.

I've looked through this book and found it possible to make a simple mechanical pick gun with a good quality metal coat hanger. (I find projects built from really low tech show more finesse.)

[Kai]

Hey all, sorry been a way a while in RL.

I would love to have more talks in LPing and such. I believe the contest room is "unused" in the evenings.

Around like 7-9 Friday or Saturday would be cool to have a maybe a couple of talks, some meet 'n greet (tool bragging, etc.), and banging on the demo boards provided by dc719.

If anyone is interested, it seems to have been discussed a few times since the first LPCON, I can ask what it might take to make this happen.

Thanks,
Kai

[Deviant Ollam]

I would love to have more talks in LPing and such.

looks like your wish has been granted... i've been accepted as a speaker with my "intro to lockpicking and physical security" talk. unfortunately, at the moment i'm scheduled in the closing time slot of the con... so instead of my talk and hands-on session wrapping up with the statement "if you are really interested in all of this, remember that there's the lockpick competetion this weekend that you should check out" it looks like perhaps the lockpick events will have to wrap up with the reminder "if you're interested in learning more about this, remember Deviant is giving an intro to lockpicking talk on sunday"

that is unless they change the time slot around. i'd love to get some newbies up to speed on the material during the con so that they can practice a lot and test more advanced techniques during the course of the weekend (and also, their presence at my talk will prep them really well for the "Physical Security Bypass Techniques: Exploring the Ethics of Full Disclosure" talk that Marc Tobias is giving.)

we'll see how things shake out. either way i'm thrilled at the chance to speak and at everyone's willingness to let me slide onto your turf a bit with this material.

[Edited to fix a typo]

[nak]

Lockpick gun "LockAid" video
I purchased one of the lockaid lockpick guns. It does take a bit of practice to actually get a lock open. But they do work

[mckennage]

... a technique called "bump keying"

Is bump keying against the rules this year? I don't see anything in the rules that would forbid it since it can be considered a "manual tool", though I suppose if pick guns are prohibited, then bump keying may be out.

-mckennage

[TheCotMan]

Is bump keying against the rules this year? I don't see anything in the rules that would forbid it since it can be considered a "manual tool", though I suppose if pick guns are prohibited, then bump keying may be out.

Before the last year's con, I asked a question about damaging locks during the event. The reason I asked this is because of all the techniques for opening locks with pin manipulation (e.g. not drilling) bumping is the greatest for risk in damaging a lock-- especially older ones.

I seem to recall that breaking a lock meant disqualification, but I'd have to search for it.***

Keep this in mind if the organizers of the event say it is ok.

[Found post:]
*** From Last year's rule

Also, locks are regularly checked for damage, and the standing rule is: Break It, and Your Out.

More:
In The Official Rules and FAQ post for This Year there is a link to the FAQ which includes the following:

If it looks like a key, it is not allowed. If it can cause damage to the locks, it is not allowed. If you bring something other than basic picks and wrenches, don't plan on using it without prior approval from KaiGoth or DOC, period.

So it is better to find out now. :-)

[Deviant Ollam]

Is bump keying against the rules this year? I don't see anything in the rules that would forbid it since it can be considered a "manual tool", though I suppose if pick guns are prohibited, then bump keying may be out.

while it might be considered by some to be prohibited on the grounds that you're not physically picking each pin, i think it'd be a pretty cool thing. this is because you never know what sort of keyway you'll be facing before the event starts so you might have to have a wide array of blanks and cut a bump key on the spot. if you manage to tool the bitting correctly with a hand dremel and successfully whack the lock open in less time than people with picks can pop them, hell i think that deserves some recognition. =)

[mckennage]

while it might be considered by some to be prohibited on the grounds that you're not physically picking each pin, i think it'd be a pretty cool thing. this is because you never know what sort of keyway you'll be facing before the event starts so you might have to have a wide array of blanks and cut a bump key on the spot. if you manage to tool the bitting correctly with a hand dremel and successfully whack the lock open in less time than people with picks can pop them, hell i think that deserves some recognition. =)

I agree! What do you all think of adding a second "unofficial" competition where anything goes -- drilling the lock, pick guns, bump keying, etc. Cheap/used locks could be utilized, and you could have participants pay $5-10 if they destroy a lock to help recoup some of the costs. I think it would be highly entertaining to watch, as I've never seen any of the above-mentioned techniques live.

Maybe people could even bring their own locks to destroy if it isn't an official competition (where you have to worry about people being motivited to purposely bring an easily cracked lock). I would love to see it!

-mckennage