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What is Bumping and How to Prevent It

7 February 2018

ataque por el método del bumping

A long spate in recent years of successful home robberies using bumping has unfortunately popularised this technique of forcing cylinder door locks. Hence, the term ‘bumping’ has become widespread in the media and entered the everyday vocabulary of the man on the street. But what is bumping exactly? Why has it become such a widely-used method? And, above all, what anti-bumping systems exist to prevent it?

How bumping works
The first step when bumping a lock is to insert a special key called a bump key into the cylinder. The key is then struck using an impact tool (usually a screwdriver or hammer) so that the force of the impact separates and aligns the pins with the counterpins inside the cylinder, allowing the key to turn.

A simple, quick and discreet method
The technique is by no means new. In fact, according to various sources, its origins date back to the 1970s when Danish locksmiths started to use it to open locked doors. However, it has only been during the last 10 years that criminals have started to use bumping in various European countries. This has led to its widespread popularisation nowadays.

There is no doubt that the simplicity and speed of this method are the main reasons behind the popularity of bumping. Numerous tutorials can be found on the Internet that explain the technique and how to make your own bumping keys at home. It is even possible to buy 3D-printed versions of these keys on the Internet.

Another of the major advantages for criminals in the bumping technique is that it requires no loud noises and, above all, leaves no external evidence that the cylinder has been forced.

Anti-bumping cylinders
Following the rise in robberies using this technique, door lock cylinder manufacturers began working to offer cylinders capable of resisting these attacks. Even so, it is estimated that the vast majority of door locks installed in several countries lack this system. www.247locksmiths.us has an interesting article on this subject.

IFAM recommends replacing these cylinders that lack anti-bumping protection with others that do indeed offer this feature. This small investment is clearly worth it.

Generally-speaking, anti-bumping systems ensure that the cylinder springs prevent the pins and counterpins from aligning whenever a bumping key is inserted and struck. This means it is impossible to turn the key and open the lock.

IFAM offers anti-bumping cylinders in its entire range of security dimple keys. This range includes the Series WX1000, offering an innovative anti-bumping system based on double pins and double springs. More details.facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinmail



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