Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Shrinky Dinks As a Threat To National Security

Posted by timothy on from the silly-putty-now-public-enemy-No.-2 dept.

InflammatoryHeadlineGuy writes "What do Shrinky Dinks, credit cards and paperclips have in common? They can all be used to duplicate the keys to Medeco 'high-security' locks that protect the White House, the Pentagon, embassies, and many other sensitive locations. The attack was demonstrated at Defcon by Marc Weber Tobias and involves getting a picture of the key, then printing it out and cutting plastic to match — both credit cards and Shrinky Dinks plastic are recommended. The paperclip then pushes aside a slider deep in the keyway, while the plastic cut-out lifts the pins. They were able to open an example lock in about six seconds. The only solution seems to be to ensure that your security systems are layered, so that attackers are stopped by other means even if they manage to duplicate your keys."

4 of 257 comments (clear)

  1. Is this surprising? by MagdJTK · · Score: 5, Insightful

    While using credit cards and shrinky dink plastic is clever, is this story particularly surprising? The article states that a photo of the key in question is required. If I asked the average man on the street if it was possible to replicate a key from a photo of it if you were sufficiently determined, I'd imagine they would say yes.

    1. Re:Is this surprising? by postbigbang · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Fool.

      Look at the keypad. The numbers will be worn down. Look to see if it's an even wear, that means there are more than a few combos that work, but usually it's only one or two that are commonly shared.

      Then look for the most worn, with the most dirt-- it's the first number. Elminate the clean bright keys from the pool. Eliminate zero and one; the remaining pool has the combination. It's probably just four numbers, could be five.

      Now take your Timex/Sinclair and do the math.

      --
      ---- Teach Peace. It's Cheaper Than War.
  2. Re:Is it just me by Dachannien · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Layered security indeed!

    Maybe these locks aren't all that, but it's the Secret Service agents capping you in the head that you really have to worry about.

  3. Re:BFD by Jeffrey+Baker · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yeah I found it funny that the lamers in the write-up think the Pentagon is protected by Medeco locks. Sorry, no. The Pentagon is protected by men with rifles and grenades.