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Unlocking The Security Of Locks
David Utter
Staff Writer
2008-06-02
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Hackers at New York's 'The Last HOPE' conference in July plan to discuss security of a different sort: the humble, physical lock.
 | | Unlocking The Security Of Locks |  |
You spend plenty of time tweaking your security measures and monitoring potential malicious traffic to your server. But the most in-depth, sophisticated techniques won't thwart the most direct threat to a piece of hardware: physically removing it from its home.
Most people rely on locks to keep out the grifting hands of the unscrupulous. Current lock designs, the Last HOPE organizers contend, provide far less security than one might believe.
This extends beyond the garden variety locks found in the typical retail consumer outlet. A post about the upcoming discussion said the security industry has not expressed interest in threats that apply to high security locks as well as the typical deadbolt on a suburban front door:
Attempts to alert the security industry to these dangers have not met with much success, which is why we believe it is in the public interest to demonstration certain methods of bypass.
"Manufacturers can't produce bug-free products, and that's a big problem," says Marc Weber Tobias, a lawyer and leading security expert. According to Tobias, "since the industry is not taking the lead, it is ironic that it has fallen upon the hackers to make these security risks public."
One famous lock hack became widely known, to the consternation of the manufacturer and the anger of customers who paid highly for what they thought was premium protection. Bike locks by Kryptonite could at one time be opened with a Bic pen, due to the lock's design.
Public exposure of that kerfuffle led to welcome changes. The Last HOPE seems to have similar interests in mind in presenting details of lock hacking in July.
About the Author:
David Utter is a business and technology writer for SecurityProNews and WebProNews.
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