trustworthy) name. Unfortunately, many of these com-
mon, inexpensive locks are also the easiest to defeat, since
most criminals are already familiar with how they work. An
example with some security and quite a bit of convenience,
is the Schlage Camelot deadbolt featuring an electronic
keypad. This type of lock is available with a standard key-
pad that’s programmed right at the door, or a “connected”
version that’s compatible with a number of smartphone
applications and features “Z wave” technology so it can pair
with most home security systems. This is especially con-
venient if you have kids (or spouses, let’s be honest) who
consistently misplace their keys and find themselves on the
wrong side of a locked door.
As always, this convenience comes at a price, and we’re
not just talking about the lock’s price. At the heart of this
lock is a very basic Schlage five-pin “C” keyway cylinder.
This type of key is ubiquitous, which makes getting dupli-
cate keys made very easy, but it also makes the cylinder
much more susceptible to unauthorized keys and bump
keys. Only having five pins makes this lock considerably
easier to pick over the six-pin variant — an easy target for
anyone with basic knowledge of lock picking. Schlage
does often add security pins, but that’ll barely slow
down an experienced lock-picker.
Kwikset, another popular brand at most
hardware stores, makes a similar product,insert the key, spin it around, insert it a bit more so that the
key can engage the pins, and then turn it around again.
This takes time, which could be limited during an emer-
gency or under duress. However, that may be a small price
to pay for the level of security you get from this lock.
Another great lock that’s been available for some
time, but often overlooked, is the Medeco Maxum High
Security Deadbolt. This lock utilizes top-notch materi-
als, like stainless steel, to foil most brute force attacks as
well as restricted keyways that seriously limit the threat
from unauthorized keys. Unlike the Bowley lock, however,
the Medeco lock functions just like any other door lock
— insert the key and twist. There’s no fancy warding to
navigate on this lock, so Medeco combats picking attacks
by using a combination of specialty pins, several of which
are cut at different angles, to make picking exponentially
more difficult. It’s still possible to pick a Medeco lock, but
it’s incredibly difficult, and the time one would have to de-
vote to doing so should deter most would-be lock-pickers.Less-Than-Ideal Door Locks
When you’re perusing the average
hardware store for a lock, there’s a
temptation to buy a door lock
that’s a household
(and deceptivelyBowley
Grade 2 deadbolt
MATERIAL S:
Cylinder and keys are 17-4
ph steel and C36 brass
CONSTRUCTION:
Cast out of solid metal
MSRP
$140
URL
http://www.bowley
lockcompany.comMedeco/Assa Abloy
Maxum
High Security Deadbolt
MATERIAL S:
Solid brass
and hardened steel
CONSTRUCTION:
One-piece, free-spinning
cylinder housing
MSRP
$143.90 (Amazon)
URL
http://www.medeco.com/en/site/
medeco/products/068 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
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