On Sat, 25 Jan 2003, Sampo Syreeni wrote:
>Sure. But trying those combinations out can be automated -- I don't think >the kind of automatic lock pickers one sees in current action movies are >*entirely* fictional. There are several types of devices that can convince a keylock to open. One of them is a kind of spring-loaded bar, usually on a handle. The bar is inserted into the keyhole, and then the spring is released and a weight whacks the bar fairly hard. This transmits the shock to the pins resting on the bar, and thence to the other side of the pins resting across the cut from the shocked side. The result is that the pins fly apart momentarily against the retaining springs. If your timing is good, you can turn the lock immediately after the 'snap' of the spring slamming shut. It usually takes an experienced user no more than three or four tries to get the timing right. This is actually a very simple device to construct. I ran across it in a book on locks and mechanisms. Some folks call it an automatic lock picker, but it's really just a snap mechanism. I've never actually seen one in person, but I can give you the name and publication date of the pamphlet I saw it in if I can find it around here. Bear --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Cryptography Mailing List Unsubscribe by sending "unsubscribe cryptography" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]