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Duplicating Your Housekeys, From a Distance

Posted by timothy on from the keep-your-key-up-your-sleeve dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "Some clever computer scientists at UC San Diego (UCSD) have developed a software that can perform key duplication with just a picture of the key — taken from up to 200 feet. One of the researchers said 'we built our key duplication software system to show people that their keys are not inherently secret.' He added that on sites like Flickr, you can find many photos of people's keys that can be used to easily make duplicates. Apparently, some people are blurring 'numbers on their credit cards and driver's licenses before putting those photos on-line,' but not their keys. This software project is quite interesting, but don't be too afraid. I don't think that many of you put a photo of their keys online — with their addresses." I wonder when I'll be able to order more ordinary duplicate keys by emailing in a couple of photos.

9 of 287 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting but pointless by db32 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It seems to me that the number of incidences where this could possibly be an issue is astronomically slim. Need picture of key, need to know where the key goes, and need the method of duplicating key with picture accurately enough to be of use. Then there has to be a pretty impresive reason why any of the other less complicated and faster ways of breaking in wouldn't be useful.

    --
    The only change I can believe in is what I find in my couch cushions.
    1. Re:Interesting but pointless by gstoddart · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It seems to me that the number of incidences where this could possibly be an issue is astronomically slim. Need picture of key, need to know where the key goes, and need the method of duplicating key with picture accurately enough to be of use.

      This wouldn't work for picking someone at random.

      However, if you wanted the keys to a specific place, it sounds like it would be entirely feasible to do a little targeted surveillance and get your key.

      Still, demonstrating that you can do it means someone will find a reason to do it.

      Cheers

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    2. Re:Interesting but pointless by db32 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Because breaking in in the hundreds of other ways or just kicking my ass in the parking lot is FAR easier than going through all of that rigamarole. My point is this is probably the most difficult and time consuming method to achieve the goal with minimal benefit. That goes along the same lines of saying that gun control laws stop murder. If the criminal is going to commit murder with the gun, do you think it really matters to him that he is breaking the law by owning the gun?

      --
      The only change I can believe in is what I find in my couch cushions.
    3. Re:Interesting but pointless by Blkdeath · · Score: 2, Insightful

      true but having a key would be a clean, easy, covert break in. It would be easy to get a picture of the key if you think about it, and knowing where it goes. The only thing is how easy and cost effective this technology would be. I still think it's kinda cool, but scary.

      Think about it and it's actually pretty simple. Let's say you have a burglar who wants to rob a particular house (or group of same). They're probably going to case the neighbourhood beforehand anyways and many of them will use a camera to get specific shots as memory aids. 200 feet away from a front door provides many areas of cover and a telephoto lens could provide the optical accuracy.

      Throw in the fact that many (most?) insurance companies won't pay out in the case of a break-in without signs of forceful entry and it is a pretty scary situation.

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      BD Phone Home!

      Shameless plug. Like you weren't expecting it.

  2. People put photos of their keys online? by hcdejong · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The mind boggles.

  3. As the saying goes... by cjfs · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Locks are to keep honest people out.

  4. Re:Who? by Captain+Spam · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's not so much holding the cards/keys, it's taking a picture where that's accidentally in the frame, and in fairly readable view. For an example, let's say you're selling something on eBay (insert obligatory Police Squad! joke here). It's not something that their stock pictures will cover, so you need to take a picture of it. Let's also assume that you don't have a photo studio handy, nor do you have an area of your house/apartment specially designed with a stage and neutral backdrop on which to take pictures, so you're taking the picture on your kitchen table, or an end table in the living room. All seem perfectly reasonable?

    That's where your problem might come in. Without even thinking about it, you might have left some clutter on the table. All you needed is space to put your object. It's all that clutter you need to worry about; suddenly, your car keys could show up all over the internet via an honest mistake. Or maybe a credit card bill with your address. Your credit card seems less likely, I'll admit, given most people keep those in their wallets, not in the open on tables, but still, the point stands.

    So it's not so much of stupid/drunk/stupid drunk people thinking it's a good idea to take a picture of them holding credit cards and car keys, it's more of a mistake of leaving things in the scene when taking a picture. And yes, people on Flickr are bizarre, but that's besides the point.

    --
    Demanding constant attention will only lead to attention.
  5. Bump keys by thestuckmud · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Well the word is out on bump keys, which are an easier method of entry in most cases, yet burglaries are down. I don't see key photos as a particularly meaningful threat to most of us.

  6. Re:wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Why clone an anus when there is already an unlimited supply of assholes?