Locksmith Trade Secrets Are Secret For a Reason.

For the most part, people who watch me work do not make unreasonable requests of me when it comes to explaining what I am doing. There is a level of locksmithing that I can and will share, to those who are truly interested.

Having said that, there are things that I will not tell you because I consider confidentiality necessary to maintain a certain level of security. Often called “trade secrets,” they are maintained by those locksmiths and security professionals who consider security more important than the public’s “need to know.”

But Online Videos Abound Relating to Lock Secrets.

But what happens when an entity is created where every lock secret is not only exposed, but explained in detail? That entity is available to everyone, and it is called YouTube™. Want to learn how to pick a lock, unlock a car, or even open a safe? Just punch in your desired topic, and dozens of “how-to” videos will pop up. There is no shortage of so called “experts” who can’t wait to make money by showing some “insider” information they have managed to obtain.

In pursuit of money and to feed already inflated egos, there isn’t anything that seems to be off limits.

Most of these video “experts” claim they put the information out there so you won’t have to pay hundreds for a security professional to do what you can do for yourself. They often claim they paid out hundreds themselves until they discovered these secrets. They use this as justification to strike back at “high-priced” locksmiths.

Following Online Procedures Can Be Helpful or Damaging.

Obviously the information on YouTube™ can be accurate or inaccurate. I have seen videos made by actual locksmiths showing procedures that are exact and well-explained and that use the correct tools for the job.

Others are offered by people who have so little knowledge of their security subject that the videos are laughable. The problem for those watching is discerning what will work and what will destroy a lock or do excessive damage in order to bypass a lock.

Recently I saw a Ford ignition lock so badly drilled out that a column replacement was necessary. This was a direct result of online videos, made by irresponsible people who encourage others to do as bad a job as they did. The people who follow what they see demonstrated online frequently do so much damage that a locksmith would have been cheap in comparison.

Two Case Studies of DIY Safe Openings

I had two safe jobs recently where both customers had previously viewed online videos to try to solve their problems—not being able to get their safes open.

Case Study #1: Shorting Out the Circuit Board

I suggested to the first customer that he call the safe company with his safe’s serial number to obtain a reset code. With the code, he could reset the combination of his safe’s electronic lock. He replied that he had already gone online and found a video on how to short out the lock on its circuit board to reset the lock to a factory code.

That type of information online would allow any criminally-minded employee to reset a code, come back after hours, and clean out a safe.

I hope you can see from that, that there are some things that should be kept confidential. Yes, I know about the reset, but I do not use it myself because I do not want to be accused of frying an already malfunctioning lock. Just self preservation on my part, and I do not apologize for that.

In this case, although he had managed to get the electronic lock open, he still needed my services to open the mechanical safe locks that were located on the exterior and interior of his safe.

Case Study #2: Using a Rare Earth Magnet

The second customer had seen a video where a rare earth magnet was used to open a safe.

He tried it on his safe, holding the rare earth magnet over the combination pad of his electronic safe lock. He found out later that his safe lock was no longer working.

I do not know that a powerful magnet will damage an electronic safe lock; I only know what he told me. In any case, whatever he did caused a malfunction, and the lock had to be replaced.

You Will Not See Me Demonstrating Lock Techniques Online.

No, you will not see me online explaining how to bypass locks or how to open your own house or car if you are locked out. Neither will I sell you tools or explain how to use them. It’s not because I am some moral prig or want “all that work” for myself or anything like that. I am, and have been, a security professional for 38 years, selling security products with the idea that I am selling security as well.

To deliberately shoot down locks and safes for some desire to be rich or famous has nothing to do with security. Such people just don’t get the idea that the person they teach to bypass a lock might just be the person who will bypass THEIR lock, violate their privacy, and take their possessions.

Until someone starts taking responsibility for content that should be confidential, the online videos will be there. I will not be there, and I will not direct you there to solve a problem that should be handled by a professional interested in your security.

Call Us If You Want a Security Professional to Solve Your Auto or Safe Lock Problem.

Call us for your auto, safe or lockout problems, and we will do our best to help you out.

Just don’t tell me about all the “shortcuts” you learned on the internet. People who think they know more than I do about locksmithing get to do their own locksmithing as far as I am concerned.

For the rest, who are seeking the aid of an experienced security professional, give us a call at 618-466-9347. You won’t regret it.