without having to use the key, which is convenient, but
also makes it susceptible to a shim attack. Shimming pad-
locks isn’t all that easy, even on simple padlocks, and this
particular lock uses multiple bearings to make shimming
even more difficult — but the possibility still exists.
In addition to the incredibly strong materials and the
multiple-bearing latch mechanism, this Medeco padlock uses
a heavily restricted keyway, similar to their door locks, and
abnormal pins that make picking and bumping highly unlikely.
They’ve even added hardened steel inserts throughout the
inner workings of the lock to make drilling into it more difficult
as well. You’d be hard-pressed to find a stronger padlock, but
this additional security costs three to four times as much as
your run-of-the-mill Master padlock (more on that below).A Less-Than-Ideal Padlock
An inferior padlock offers a fair amount of convenience,
but at the expense of security. The four-digit combination
padlock by Master, for example, allows the user to change thecombination as often as they’d like with the included key. This
key doesn’t open the lock; it only allows the user to change
the combination on the lock. And the lock must already be
opened in order to even insert the key. This makes this lock
literally unpickable and unbumpable. You may be thinking, “If
it can’t be picked, and I can change the combination often,
why’s this padlock not secure?” That’s because the dials used
to set the combination on the lock open up an entirely new
means of attacking it.
By sticking a thin piece of metal between the dials, you can
lift up the bar that keeps the shackle latched down, bypassing
the dials completely and opening the lock in mere seconds.
I’ve personally done this with a paper clip just to prove a point.
It’s not difficult, and there are tons of videos exploiting this
massive security deficiency on the internet. Yes, it has a hard-
ened metal shackle and multiple bearings holding the shackle
down, but a lock is only as strong as its weakest point.
The Master Magnum padlock is a little better, but it has
flaws, too. It has an even stronger boron-carbide shackle,Medeco/
Assa Abloy
Protector II Padlock
model #50047320
MATERIAL S:
Solid stainless steel with
hardened steel inserts
CONSTRUCTION:
One-piece, free-spinning
cylinder housing
MSRP
Approx. $135
URL
http://www.medeco.com/en/site/
medeco/productsLOCKING
MECHANISM DIAGRAM
Here’s a useful site with a ton of
diagrams showing how pin and
tumbler locks function, how
security pins work, how picking
locks works, and more:
> toool.us/deviant/O F FG R I D
Tip
Abus
20/80 Diskus
stainless steel padlock
MATERIAL S:
Stainless steel
inside and out
CONSTRUCTION:
Diskus Deep-Welding
Technology
MSRP
$50.25 (Amazon)
URL
http://www.abus.com/us070 OFFGRIDWEB.COM
ISSUE 32