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The Un-bumpable and Self Re-Keying Deadbolt from KwikSet

atla031008kwiksetsmartkey.jpgFor those of you looking for a piece of mind when it comes to home security: the KwikSet's SmartKey deadbolt uses a new un-bumpable technology called a "side locking bar" instead of a traditional pins and tumblers system...

The other notable feature of the KwikSet Smartkey system besides the stringent security feature is the option to self-program any key for the lock system yourself using a small adaptor which "learns" the new key, rendering the old one obsolete. So you can turn any old key into your new household key and streamline your keychain down to a single key, becoming your own locksmith. Watch how it works here for more details.

Comments (13)

What's un bumpable mean?

posted by SFGail on 2008-03-10 18:29:33
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I bought this lock at HD and I have to say it was very easy to install compared to the other lock I had.

posted by denverdigs on 2008-03-10 18:46:19
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Lock "bumping" is a term used for a technique used to open a pin tumbler lock with a special key.

posted by Laura on 2008-03-10 19:03:23
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Sorry SFGail, there was supposed to be a link explaining bumping added to the post above. It's been added and the link explains the concept of bumping a lock now.

posted by gregory on 2008-03-10 20:03:01
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While bumping is possible with some locks.. good ol' fashioned kicking the door in seems to be most popular among burglers. Any remedy for that?

posted by Laura on 2008-03-10 20:21:05
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Laura-
get a steel door.

posted by bramasoleiowa on 2008-03-11 08:20:10
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after paying $110 to a locksmith, he put a thing that looks like a blood pressure meter in the crack of my door, pumped it up and kicked in my door. very sophisticated...

posted by janegrace on 2008-03-11 11:33:44
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Laura,

That's the same issue in my neighborhood. I got one of these...
http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-Dual-Function-Security-265DCCSEN/dp/B0002YUX8I

The idea is that it transfer the pressure of someone kicking the door to the floor and wedges it closed.

Not terrible attractive but I only put it up while I'm out of the house and when I'm sleeping. Steel doors are way expensive and, I may be wrong, but I think they can still be kicked in? I believe the frame is still just wood and that's what usually gives when the door is kicked in. It rips right out of the frame...

posted by shushu on 2008-03-11 12:33:33
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Shushu,
I believe that is called a Jersey lock and works really well.

Also, a very large dog works wonders, too.

posted by Jason on 2008-03-16 15:53:10
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Kwikset locks are not "high security". If you want that, you're looking primarily at two companies -- Medeco and Mul-T-Lock, both of which are owned by Assa/Abloy, a Swiss multinational. The key phrases you're looking for are "ANSI Grade 1" and "UL437".

The best Kwikset lock is the 970 Series Deadbolt and is only "ANSI/BHMA A156.5 Grade 2 Security".

The Mul-T-Lock Hercular is both ANSI Grade 1 and UL437, in addition to their international certifications (this type of lock is much more commonly seen in Europe and elsewhere overseas). It has their "Interactive" key which includes a metal plug that freely moves within certain boundaries, and prevents the "Bump Key" attack from working (it bounces at the same time the tumblers bounce, but when it is moved from its normal location, it prevents the cylinder from turning). The tumbler pins also interact with the face of the key and not the edge, so it's much more difficult to get lock-picking tools into position to engage the tumblers. There are also a lot more tumbler pins that you would normally see on most locks.

The newest Medeco locks are supposed to be resistant to the "Bump Key" attack, but I've seen videos of a 12-year old girl doing precisely that at a recent Black Hat conference, so I'm not entirely sure how much I'd trust them.

Anyway, I primarily wanted to say that Kwikset is fine for interior locks in our house, but I'd never use it on an exterior door. I want better security than that.

Oh, and of course, once you do that, then you also have to use steel-core doors, strengthen the door frame, strengthen the strike plate to door frame attachment, etc.... Otherwise, the thieves could just kick in the door with your expensive lock still on it.

posted by bradknowles on 2008-04-06 01:38:01
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Oh, and if you really want to know how the "Bump Key" attack works, see http://www.toool.nl/bumping.pdf.

posted by bradknowles on 2008-04-06 01:39:22
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Great, now I'm completely paranoid about someone breaking in and I can't afford steel-core doors, door frame strengthening, etc.

posted by jooly on 2008-04-08 12:41:25
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i'm so glad i'm moving! my place is so easy to break into. hiring a locksmith showed me that. super scary! my new place has security.

posted by mariegael on 2008-04-16 00:50:36
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