High Security Handcuffs Opened With 3D-Printed and Laser-Cut Keys 202
Sparrowvsrevolution writes "In a workshop Friday at the Hackers On Planet Earth conference in New York, a German hacker and security consultant who goes by the name 'Ray' showed that he could open high-security handcuffs from manufacturers Chubb and Bonowi with plastic copies of keys that he cheaply produced with a laser-cutter and a 3D printer. Both companies attempt to control the distribution of their keys to keep them exclusively in the hands of authorized buyers such as law enforcement. Lasercut plexiglass versions of the Chubb key, which opens handcuffs like the ones used in passenger airline restraints, were selling for $4 at the conference. Ray plans to post the CAD file for the key on the 3D printing site Thingiverse after LockCon later this week."
LockCon? (Score:3, Interesting)
The fact that he managed to make a key for these doesn't surprise me at all.
The fact that there is a LockCon on the other hand.....
Re:identical? (Score:4, Interesting)
Did you read the article? All handcuff keys for a certain brand are identical. That is to allow one officer to handcuff a suspect and any other officer to remove the cuffs. The issue is that the arresting officer may not be anywhere around when the suspect needs to be uncuffed as the suspect may have been passed on for transport. This is the way handcuff keys work. Manufacturers are now trying to restrict the possession of keys by being selective to whom they sell. The printer/laser cutter method of making keys now makes this effort useless.
Re:Airline security? (Score:5, Interesting)
I can confirm this. I've had a common police handcuff key on my keyring for years* and I've never had it singled out at any security checkpoint. The keys go in the briefcase with a bunch of other crap where they might even be difficult to identify as keys.
*Kinky ex girlfriend. I figured I'd better stash a few keys in convenient places in case she wandered off at an inappropriate moment.
Re:identical? (Score:5, Interesting)
No matter how complex the key bolt cutters usually work but it is rather difficult to conceal a set of bolt cutters big enough to do the job on one's person and bolt cutters that large are not all that common. Hand cuff components are made of hardened steel and a small set will not work.
Hand cuffs are and never have been completely secure. They are more secure than the cuffs that have been around for years as those keys are very common now but they are less secure than hoped.
There used to be one key that would open every handcuff in current use. Now there are at least three different ones. Even this makes things more secure as the suspect has to have at least three keys to ensure escape. Three keys are much more difficult to conceal than one. Officers can easily carry three keys on their key ring. It is not about making escape impossible; just more difficult.
Also they aren't meant to be super-secure (Score:5, Interesting)
Handcuffs are just a quick and easy way of ensuring someone can't cause too much trouble. When your hands are held behind your back, you can't make much mischief in general. They aren't intended to be something to hold someone securely for long periods. Just to temporarily restrain someone for transport.
As such it isn't like the keying system has to be top notch. It is far more important that they are easy to unlock than that they are ultra-secure.
For that matter at times the police will just use what are more or less large zip-ties. Plastic flexi-cuffs are easy and cheap to use in a riot situation. They aren't very secure, they can be easily cut off and indeed that is what the police themselves do, but you can cheaply have a bunch of them if needed.
Re:How much does it actually matter? (Score:5, Interesting)
it is pretty difficult to unlock the handcuffs even you if had and could reach the key
Difficult is not impossible and with enough practice difficult becomes easy.
Keys can be in the mouth, swallowed, in a seam, in a concealed compartment in a belt loop, etc. There are many places to carry a key that will get by most searches. There was one instance where a man has a pouch surgically installed in his cheek just big enough to hold a handcuff key. Many "escape artists" conceal keys on their person for their acts and these keys are not found by the spectators, sometimes police officers, who search them.
So no, an accomplice is not necessary.
Re:identical? (Score:4, Interesting)
A few years ago someone arrested in Tampa had a key in their back pocket, not found during the frisk, and managed to get loose and killed 3 cops. Not saying its common, but your impossible situation has happend in the recent past with the worst possible outcome. The criminal always carried the key with him anticipating trouble with police.
http://tampabayonline.net/reports/shooting/carrday2.htm
Re:Mcgyver (Score:4, Interesting)
Really? I've tried using an actual key and a key duplicator and it still doesn't work half the time. Tolerances are really tight on good locks.
Re:Mcgyver (Score:5, Interesting)
Since most locks use standard tubler sizes, the key code (tubler measurements) can be determined from a photograph of the keys and then cut from the keycode