11-year-old Proves Locks Not So Secure

An anonymous reader writes "A new security column at Engadget details the new 'old' threat of bumping locks. The article goes on to describe and demonstrate an 11-year-old girl bypassing a standard 5-pin lock at a recent DefCon Hacker Convention. The girl had no prior experience and didn't even understand the theory she was applying. Scary!"

Talent is where you find it

[ackthpt]

. The girl had no prior experience and didn't even understand the theory she was applying.

Sign her up as a /. editor, quick!

Great...

[dan828]

So now we have to worry about the lockpicker's equivalent of a script kiddy.

memories

[Anonymous Coward]

The girl had no prior experience and didn't even understand the theory she was applying.

Reminds me of high school.

When I was her age...

[Starteck81]

I use to pick the lock to the computer room at home with duck tape and a paper clip, AND I LIKED IT?

P.S. I also use to walk up hill both ways in the snow to school.

Re:As with any security measure..

[snowgirl]

Windows should lock from the inside, again with deadlocks.

Maybe this would help keep the spyware off my computer...

Re:Great...

[novus ordo]

Professionals use their foot.

So...

[Cheapy]

Does that make her a door kiddy?

Re:Great...

[JesseL]

I thought professional thieves ran for public office.

Re:So...

[JesseL]

latchkey kid.

Bright Future In Something

[queenb**ch]

Yikes! The poor girl...she might get the wrong impression that this how she should make a living.

Age 11 - 5 pin lock with wrong key
Age 14 - 7 pin lock with picks
Age 18 - Safes
Age 21 - Bank Vaults

So many banks...so little time

2 cents,

QueenB

ROT13

[SirSlud]

I used to use ROT13 to protect my files until I found out how unsecure it is. Now I ROT13 twice, just to make sure.

no updates

[elkosmas]

The funny thing about doors is that there are no firmware updates on the internet...

Re:memories

[agent dero]

this is slashdot, no it doesn't

Re:hurr

[flight_master]

Do you work for Microsoft's Linux Labs?

Expensive hobby

[zpark]

Sure it might be easy to bump a lock, but how many 11 year olds can afford a "kinetic energy tool"?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammer/ [wikipedia.org]

Re:deadlocks

[omega9]

Either way, Windows are still vulnerable.

Look. There's no reason to bring Microsoft into this.

Re:Great...

[waspleg]

sorry, even we have standards

-waspleg

Re:What about me?

[initialE]

"Look, a real-life FBI agent!"

Re:Talent is where you find it

[gardyloo]

*clap* *clap* *clap*

Wish I had mod points.

    I dunno. The ability to give the clap seems a lot more meaningful.

Switch to Linux.

[140Mandak262Jamuna]

We knew windows were very unsecure. Now we know locks are unsecure either. People switch to Linux. NOW

Re:S&G

[namgge]

The most secure facility I've visited had a sergent in a green beret on the gate.

Re:ROT13

[Reverend528]

Now I ROT13 twice, just to make sure.

You know, you can save yourself a bunch of CPU cycles by just using ROT26 instead.

Why on earth is she there?

[sam991]

An 11 year old, with no prior experience in locks and clearly little interest in it not only attends the Defcon Hacker Convention, but takes the time to furnish us with a demonstration. The event took place from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th. Does she honestly have nowhere better to be?

Won't somebody please think of the children?

I tried bumping the lock on my back door

[tinrobot]

It didn't work, so I reached through the dog door and opened it from the other side.

Yeah, we're really secure around here.

Re:memories

[noidentity]

The girl had no prior experience and didn't even understand the theory she was applying.

Reminds me of high school fantasies.

(you had left a word out)

Re:Great...

[raptorv99]

A lock is only meant to keep honest people out.

Re:Talent is where you find it

[UnixRevolution]

Don't worry, i have mod points, i can....D'OH!

Re:Great...

[elrous0]

Geez, what do you keep in your house, The Hope Diamond?

I myself prefer guard dogs with bees in their mouths and when they bark they shoot bees at you.

-Eric

Re:Talent is where you find it

[drinkypoo]

Someone gave the clap to me once. It meant a painful shot in the ass!

Oh yeah? So how did you get rid of it?