[penguicon-general] Random Panel suggestion.

[Catherine Olanich Raymond]

On Sunday 27 August 2006 9:29 pm, Rob Landley wrote:
> For Bruce Schneier: a panel on lock bumping.
>
> This is a real-world security exploit that applies to pin-tumbler locks
> (which are the standard type of key out there, and in just about every door
> of interest: they're the keys with the wavy ridges on the edge).  A general
> solution to the pin-tumbler problem was simplified in 2004 to the point
> where it takes no skill and readily available tools to do, and it's making
> the rounds on the internet right now.  Basically, you can make any key into
> a skeleton key for that brand of lock, and then make it work by whacking it
> slightly as you turn it with just about anything.

I'm a bit unclear why the hotel would have issues about our having a panel on 
this subject.  After all, most of the hotels I've been in recently (including 
the Penguicon and ConFusion hotels) do not use the standard "wavy edged" keys 
anymore; they all use card keys, which demand different techniques to crack.

Besides, if the information about "lock bumping" is making the rounds on the 
Internet, we can hardly suffer legal liability from discussing the issue at 
what is, at least in theory, a technical conference.  :-)


-- 
Cathy Raymond <cathy at thyrsus.com>

"A civilized society is one which tolerates eccentricity to the point
of doubtful sanity."  --Robert Frost