Submission + - Researchers Can Duplicate Keys from the Sounds They Make in Locks (kottke.org)
colinwb writes: While https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...">you cannot hear the shape of a drum it seems you can hear the shape of one type of key from the sound it makes in the lock. That says it all really, but from the article:
Once they have a key-insertion audio file, SpiKeyâ(TM)s inference software gets to work filtering the signal to reveal the strong, metallic clicks as key ridges hit the lockâ(TM)s pins [and you can hear those filtered clicks online here]. These clicks are vital to the inference analysis: the time between them allows the SpiKey software to compute the keyâ(TM)s inter-ridge distances and what locksmiths call the âoebitting depthâ of those ridges: basically, how deeply they cut into the key shaft, or where they plateau out. If a key is inserted at a nonconstant speed, the analysis can be ruined, but the software can compensate for small speed variations.
The result of all this is that SpiKey software outputs the three most likely key designs that will fit the lock used in the audio file, reducing the potential search space from 330,000 keys to just three. âoeGiven that the profile of the key is publicly available for commonly used [pin-tumbler lock] keys, we can 3D-print the keys for the inferred bitting codes, one of which will unlock the door,â says Ramesh.
The linked article has a link to a 15 minutes video presentation of the research and to another article on the research.
Once they have a key-insertion audio file, SpiKeyâ(TM)s inference software gets to work filtering the signal to reveal the strong, metallic clicks as key ridges hit the lockâ(TM)s pins [and you can hear those filtered clicks online here]. These clicks are vital to the inference analysis: the time between them allows the SpiKey software to compute the keyâ(TM)s inter-ridge distances and what locksmiths call the âoebitting depthâ of those ridges: basically, how deeply they cut into the key shaft, or where they plateau out. If a key is inserted at a nonconstant speed, the analysis can be ruined, but the software can compensate for small speed variations.
The result of all this is that SpiKey software outputs the three most likely key designs that will fit the lock used in the audio file, reducing the potential search space from 330,000 keys to just three. âoeGiven that the profile of the key is publicly available for commonly used [pin-tumbler lock] keys, we can 3D-print the keys for the inferred bitting codes, one of which will unlock the door,â says Ramesh.
The linked article has a link to a 15 minutes video presentation of the research and to another article on the research.
