Euro Profile Cylinder locks not safe

calleyw · 17 February 2008 at 9:25PM

Has anyone else heard this as I saw this in security shop window the other day and also found this

http://searchwarp.com/swa49197.htm

http://www.bandpwindows.co.uk/The%20Amazing%20Mul-T-Lock.htm

It seems that a lot of upvc doors locks are vulnerable.

Think I better get some bolts fitted as it seems there is limited products out there.

Is this for real or just a scare to make me upgrade any one know?

Yours

Calley

moonrakerz · 17 February 2008 at 9:54PM

Google "lock bumping " and be worried !!

The problem if you are burgled by someone who "bumps" your locks is that there is no damage whatsoever to your locks - insurance company might say you were negligent and left the door open for the burglar .

I have replaced my cylinder locks with "bump-proof" ones - and they ain't cheap.
There are many people selling cylinder locks on the web - down to £1.37 each ! and very, very few mention "bumping".
Go to specialist locksmith and ask if his locks are "bump-proof" - if he won't say "yes" in writing go elsewhere !

real1314 · 17 February 2008 at 10:37PM

I've got a mate who is heavily into the windows business, and although he accepts that lock bumping is possible, he doesn't see it as something to worry about - none of his locks are "bump-proof" or have been treated with "pickbuster".

I suspect that 20 million households x 3 doors (to include french doors etc) x £10 is more than will ever be lost to bumping.

all imho.

moonrakerz · 18 February 2008 at 4:40PM

real1314 wrote: »

I've got a mate who is heavily into the windows business, and although he accepts that lock bumping is possible, he doesn't see it as something to worry about

Lock bumping is not only "possible", it is easy, with the right keys.

If he doesn't see the availability of a full set of "bumping keys" (Yale, Chubb, Union, etc, etc) for less than £30, no questions asked, as nothing to "worry about " - remind me not to ask him for security advice !

andrew-b · 18 February 2008 at 7:54PM

Was considering changing our locks to 6-pin snapsafe euro cylinders from screwfix. I tried removing the cylinders the other day to investigate what size to buy but discovered on the front door the cross-head retaining screw that holds the euro cylinder in has a mangled head. I tried removing it but my screwdriver was just mangling the head up more and not having bought a cylinder to put back in should i manage to get it out i left it be. Can anyone recommend the best way to get the screw out without causing damage to the door?

Andy

roswell · 18 February 2008 at 9:48PM

Andy,

Might not work but worth a try if no one else replys is make sure the screw driver is a good fit, apply pressure with a twisting action and give the screw driver a sharp tap with a hammer as long as your going in the correct direction the vibration should help release it.

andrew-b · 18 February 2008 at 10:53PM

Thanks roswell..i did try bashing the screwdriver with a mallet but perhaps the harder tap from a hammer will do the job. Think i'll wait until i've got a new lock with new retaining screw to put back in before being a bit more brutal with it.

If that fails has anyone tried using these screw extractors (or similar).... http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18643/Drill-Bits/Specialist-Drill-Bits/Screw-Extractor-Set
...or am i more likely to wreck the screw hole too?

Euro cylinders i was considering were: http://www.screwfix.com/prods/57048/Security/Euro-Cylinder-Locks/6-Pin-Euro-Cylinders/Snapsafe-6-pin-Euro-Profile-Mortice-Lock-Cylinder
..though without a brand name given i'm a bit wary if they will be any good.

Andy

shown73 · 18 February 2008 at 11:27PM

Does anyone know if "Pickbuster," would be a viable solution? This is a gel of some kind that is injected into the lock. On the one hand, I can see how it would prevent bumping in theory, but whether it actually is effective in reality, I'm not clear about. It's not cheap either, but certainly more so than replacing all the locks, and a lot less aggro, of course.
Having spent a mere 30 minutes or so trawling around, it's pretty scary the amount and variety of things freely available for easily opening doors. I always lock my front, UPVC< door at night and leave the key in, in the assumption that it would block opening attempts. Not so, for a few quid I can buy a tool specifically for dealing with this problem quickly and simply. In fact, I'm probably making it easier. It would seem that the vast majority of door locks are pretty ineffective, and fitting bolts to pvc doors can't be easy either, and pretty useless when you vacate the house anyway. Oh dear, I'm beginning to wish that I hadn't looked!

real1314 · 19 February 2008 at 1:26AM

moonrakerz wrote: »

Lock bumping is not only "possible", it is easy, with the right keys.

If he doesn't see the availability of a full set of "bumping keys" (Yale, Chubb, Union, etc, etc) for less than £30, no questions asked, as nothing to "worry about " - remind me not to ask him for security advice !

Do you know anyone who's been burgled by bumping?

I'd be more worried by violent house-breaking car jacking than this.

Incidentally, it doesn't look like any of those locks linked to are bump-proof. And no-one claims to have made a bump-proof lock either - they can't do it.

Any locked can be opened without a key, you just needs tools and a bit of time. There are far better things people can do to reduce the likelihood of being burgled than spending money on snake-oil.

moonrakerz · 19 February 2008 at 10:02AM

real1314 wrote: »

Do you know anyone who's been burgled by bumping?

I'd be more worried by violent house-breaking car jacking than this.

Incidentally, it doesn't look like any of those locks linked to are bump-proof. And no-one claims to have made a bump-proof lock either - they can't do it.

Any locked can be opened without a key, you just needs tools and a bit of time. There are far better things people can do to reduce the likelihood of being burgled than spending money on snake-oil.

No, and I don't know any one who has been "conventionally" burgled either ! that is irrelevant.

NO house can be made burglar proof, all you have to do is make the would-be burglar think that your house is not worth the effort and go next door ! Most burglars don't have "a bit of time" as you put it.

I could open my front door in 5 seconds - with a sledge hammer - is that a good reason not to put a decent lock on it ?

LocksmithBristol · 8 April 2008 at 2:36PM

real1314 wrote: »

Do you know anyone who's been burgled by bumping?

I'd be more worried by violent house-breaking car jacking than this.

Incidentally, it doesn't look like any of those locks linked to are bump-proof. And no-one claims to have made a bump-proof lock either - they can't do it.

Any locked can be opened without a key, you just needs tools and a bit of time. There are far better things people can do to reduce the likelihood of being burgled than spending money on snake-oil.

First off, sorry for dragging up an old thread.... but lock bumping is something to be concerned about.

Unfortunately, I have seen several incidents in the last couple of years just in my home city where bump keys were used to gain entry to properties in order to take the keys for expensive vehicles. Why not just break in to get the keys? The answer is that a quiet entry gives a much longer time in which to remove a car before a tracker is activated, compared to risking the homeowner hearing a window breaking or a door being kicked in.

Without fully stripping down the cylinder it is very hard to identify whether a bump key has been used as bumping technology moves on, and hence insurance companies won't pay out as they will assume you left the door insecure.

There are several bump key proof locks on the market - which offer 100% protection against bumping, as well as stopping the more common illicit copying of keys. A quick Google search would have identified several locks. Yes, they are expensive on the whole but if you have a lot of valuables that will be attractive to a certain type of thief then bump key proof locks should be part of your overall home security.

Euro Profile Cylinder locks not safe

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