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High Security Handcuffs Opened With 3D-Printed and Laser-Cut Keys

Posted by Soulskill on from the enjoy-your-stay-on-the-watch-list dept.

Sparrowvsrevolution writes "In a workshop Friday at the Hackers On Planet Earth conference in New York, a German hacker and security consultant who goes by the name 'Ray' showed that he could open high-security handcuffs from manufacturers Chubb and Bonowi with plastic copies of keys that he cheaply produced with a laser-cutter and a 3D printer. Both companies attempt to control the distribution of their keys to keep them exclusively in the hands of authorized buyers such as law enforcement. Lasercut plexiglass versions of the Chubb key, which opens handcuffs like the ones used in passenger airline restraints, were selling for $4 at the conference. Ray plans to post the CAD file for the key on the 3D printing site Thingiverse after LockCon later this week."

2 of 202 comments (clear)

  1. Also they aren't meant to be super-secure by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Handcuffs are just a quick and easy way of ensuring someone can't cause too much trouble. When your hands are held behind your back, you can't make much mischief in general. They aren't intended to be something to hold someone securely for long periods. Just to temporarily restrain someone for transport.

    As such it isn't like the keying system has to be top notch. It is far more important that they are easy to unlock than that they are ultra-secure.

    For that matter at times the police will just use what are more or less large zip-ties. Plastic flexi-cuffs are easy and cheap to use in a riot situation. They aren't very secure, they can be easily cut off and indeed that is what the police themselves do, but you can cheaply have a bunch of them if needed.

  2. Re:How much does it actually matter? by jklovanc · · Score: 5, Interesting

    it is pretty difficult to unlock the handcuffs even you if had and could reach the key

    Difficult is not impossible and with enough practice difficult becomes easy.

    Keys can be in the mouth, swallowed, in a seam, in a concealed compartment in a belt loop, etc. There are many places to carry a key that will get by most searches. There was one instance where a man has a pouch surgically installed in his cheek just big enough to hold a handcuff key. Many "escape artists" conceal keys on their person for their acts and these keys are not found by the spectators, sometimes police officers, who search them.

    So no, an accomplice is not necessary.