These boxes are generally less secure than the locks the keys are meant to access, decreasing the overall security of the house. Combination boxes can often be opened or decoded quickly with a lower-skill attack than most pin-tumbler locks. An attacker then has direct access to the key, which can be used to make a copy.
Maybe that’s not a deal breaker, but it should be acknowledged.
Yes, but bumping requires a carefully modified key. These are tricky to get right, only fit one keyway each, and are often illegal to carry.
You could also use a picking gun for a low-skill attack, but they tend to be expensive and noisy.
On the other hand, decoding the kind of lock pictured in the post can sometimes be done without any tools at all, or may require a cut-off bit of metal from a soda can. And an alarming number of key safes (and, worse, gun safes) can be opened by inserting a bent wire between the lid and the case, and manipulating the locking mechanism directly. Once you know the easiest way in, no real skill is required.
Oh, and we can copy keys from a photo now, so an attacker doesn’t even need to put hands inside the box to silently compromise security.
In general, we should prefer to never protect a security device with a weaker security device.
These boxes are generally less secure than the locks the keys are meant to access, decreasing the overall security of the house. Combination boxes can often be opened or decoded quickly with a lower-skill attack than most pin-tumbler locks. An attacker then has direct access to the key, which can be used to make a copy.
Maybe that’s not a deal breaker, but it should be acknowledged.
Eyes open.
Is this actually true, for the low-end locks most people put on their houses? My understanding was they can generally be bumped quickly and easily?
Yes, but bumping requires a carefully modified key. These are tricky to get right, only fit one keyway each, and are often illegal to carry.
You could also use a picking gun for a low-skill attack, but they tend to be expensive and noisy.
On the other hand, decoding the kind of lock pictured in the post can sometimes be done without any tools at all, or may require a cut-off bit of metal from a soda can. And an alarming number of key safes (and, worse, gun safes) can be opened by inserting a bent wire between the lid and the case, and manipulating the locking mechanism directly. Once you know the easiest way in, no real skill is required.
Oh, and we can copy keys from a photo now, so an attacker doesn’t even need to put hands inside the box to silently compromise security.
In general, we should prefer to never protect a security device with a weaker security device.