Cavity Sliders

Here is another product designed and manufactured by a brilliant New Zealand company called Cavity Sliders.

This lock has pure form and function. It uses a 3 pin tumbler cylinder, effectively allowing pocket doors or cavity sliding doors to be key lockable as well as having the hardware slide effectively into the cavity.

(source...)  Thanks to Cliff Forrester, general manager of J. Larsen & Co in Queensland Australia established 1917. Cliff Forrester is a veteran career locksmith who is considered an industry stalwart. His knowledge and expertise spans multiple generations and product lines. 

Pocket Door Locks With A Key - UPDATE

Many inquiries I receive are from people requesting hardware to effectively secure their sliding pocket doors. There are very few products in the USA that achieve this without considerable expense.

Luckily for us, a forward thinking company from Australia have already produced a competitively priced key locked pocket door lock that is simple to install and looks good too.

The Cowdroy P697 Cavity/Pocket Door Lock, is secured using a 5 wafer (disc) tumbler mechanism, providing a 100% bump proof lock.

Securing your pocket doors has never been so easy.

(source...) Thanks to Garry Aumann of Keyman Services, Gold Coast, Australia.

$105.00

Keyring Scale

Finally! Someone has done it. They created the perfect office accessory.

How often is it, that you are required to weigh a parcel or letter to determine the cost for postage/cartage (delivery)?

As a supplier of product across the country, I find it a constant challenge to accurately determine shipping costs.

Now with the Keyring Scale, the task of correctly determining weight just got so much easier and convenient.

Easy-to-use clip makes it simple to weigh small objects like letters, jewelry and coins. Backlit LCD displays weight in grams (g), ounces (oz) penny weights (dwt), or grains (gn). Capacity: 8oz x 0.005oz; 225 x 0.1g.

(source...)

2009 St Louis Award Winner

I am humbled again by my customers who nominated me to receive the 2009 St Louis Award.

"For the second consecutive year, I am pleased to announce that Master Key Systems America, LLC has been selected for the 2009 St. Louis Award in the Locksmiths & Keys category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).

Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4%) 2008 Award recipients qualified as 2009 Award Winners. I'm sure that your selection as a 2009 Award Winner is a reflection of the hard work of not only yourself, but of many people that have supported your business and contributed to the subsequent success of your organization. Congratulations on your selection to such an elite group of small businesses."

"The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. 

Also, a copy of the press release publicizing the two-time selection of Master Key Systems America, LLC is posted on the USLBA website. USLBA hereby grants Master Key Systems America, LLC a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display this press release in any media formats and through any media channels."

Yelpie - Portable Safe

A novel new approach to securing your valuables remotely. You may be at the beach or on a picnic or simply out for a walk and require to store your keys or wallet or sunglasses or mp3 player from prying hands.

Enter the Yelpie - Portable Safe.

Manufacturers Description

Yelpie's advanced motion sensor alarm works to keep your valuables exactly where you left them, while being smart enough to know what's an accidental bump and what's an attempt to steal your belongings. 

If a thief attempts to move your Yelpie, a loud 90dB alarm goes off! 

The Yelpie is large enough to comfortably fit car and house keys, wallets, MP3 players, mobile phones, sunglasses or other small valuables - but even items too large to be placed inside the Yelpie can be left in public more securely by tying them to the Yelpie: if somebody tries to walk off with your surfboard, the Yelpie alarm will activate! 

Perfect for use at the beach, picnics, sporting events, training grounds, swimming pools, gym, school or work lockers, golf course, camping, motor homes, caravans, or when taking the kids for a play in the local park.

How It Works
 

1.	Put your belongings into Yelpie.
2.	Close and set the alarm.
3.	Alarm activates if disturbed for more than 2 seconds. Alarm will automatically cease if Yelpie is put down and left alone again.
4.	To deactivate the alarm and open the Yelpie portable safe, enter your personal code using the Yelpie's strong and weatherproof keypad. No keys to be lost!. (source...)

What Locks Cannot Be Bumped

Many searches lately seems to be from people who are concerned about Lock Bumping.

In the USA, there are many advertisers who try to portray their products as bump proof or bump resistant.

The truth be told, there are only two (2) 100% guaranteed bump proof locks available today in the USA. Bilock and Abloy.

The new Kwikset Smart Key system is considered almost completely bump proof too, however there are many published bypasses for these locks so be aware before relying on them to secure your homes.

Other locks that cannot be bumped include, all wafer/disc tumbler locks including automobile locks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, boat ignitions etc.

The bumping principle works on all pin tumbler locks that use pin stacks. A pin stack is found in standard pin tumbler mechanisms, like Yale, Schlage, Kwikset, Corbin Russwin, Titan, Defiant, Baldwin, Lockwood, Byrd, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock etc.

Fraudulent Companies Aided by AT&T Yellow Pages

Recently, we reported here about the Missouri Attorney General suing Dependable Locks Inc, their listed principal David Peer and their host of fictitious business names and addresses.

We have sourced copies of letters written by the Missouri Attorney General's department that were hand delivered to AT&T.

We now include a copy of the original letter that was hand delivered to AT&T in St Louis.

If you click on the picture you will be able to read the exact document that was presented.

Suffice to say, this is indeed a great day for the locksmith industry in Missouri. The Missouri government has acted to protect it's residents and legitimate locksmith service providers.

Whereas this is just the beginning of one front in the war against unscrupulous companies preying on consumers, perhaps it should be seen as notice to all other similar mediums to tighten their business practises and verify the listings in their publications, both printed and electronic, prior to publication.

This effort by the Missouri government shows that some governments of the people, by the people and for the people, can achieve noteworthy and respectable results without the need to practise licensing of trades or other implicit revenue generating programs that can and are, not being enforced by other states in feeble attempt to rid themselves of these fraudulent companies.

The great states of Illinois, California and Texas actively pursued licensing of locksmiths as their attempt to purge their states of unscrupulous marauders, only to find that the lack of enforcement and the subsequent applications for licenses by representatives from the aforementioned companies, substantially reduced any perception of protection for their residents and legitimite locksmith service providers. These states, effectively have made the conditions for existing legitimite locksmith companies, more mired in red tape and bureaucratic bungling and caused the public to be subjected to higher service prices and charges as a result.

The clear and present action, as shown by the forward thinking Missouri government, is to combat the mediums who allow these companies to procreate and indirectly take advantage of the residents and citizens of Missouri.

Congratulations Chris Koster - Attorney General and Jay Nixon - Governor!

Neighborhood Crime Summary - St Louis MO January - March 2009

We are attempting a new post to include the latest crime statistics report broken down by neighborhood from data compiled and published by The St Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

The intention here is to inform residents of the different neighborhoods as to the types and quantities of the various crimes being committed, to help their decision making processes for better securing their families, residences and properties.

All information is sourced from publicly available records.

We will list the total quantities of crimes by suburb. The crimes included are: Burglary, Arson, Larceny and Theft, commonly known as Property Crimes.

For more accurate and detailed statistics we suggest visiting http://www.slmpd.org and clicking on the Crime Stats tab.

Locality - Total

Academy - 76

Baden      - 149

Benton Park - 70

Benton Park West - 78

Bevo Mill - 157

Botanical Heights - 15

Boulevard Heights - 61

Cal-Bell Cem - 3

Carondelet - 138

Carondelet Park - 3

Carr Square - 50

Central West End - 295

Cheltenham - 18

Clayton-Tamm - 41

Clifton Heights - 42

College Hill - 55

Columbus Square - 39

Compton Heights - 28

Coveant-Blu-Grand Ctr - 80

DeBaliviere Place - 43

Downtown - 303

Downtown West - 221

Dutchtown - 219

Ellendale - 30

Fairground - 48

Fairground Park - 1

Forest Park - 30

Forest Park SE - 78

Fountain Park - 28

Fox Park - 54

Franz Park - 40

Gravois Park - 103

Hamilton Heights - 58

Hi-Point - 21

Holly Hills - 27

Hyde Park - 41

Jeff Vanderlou - 132

Kings Oak - 13

Kingsway East - 75

Kingsway West - 86

Kosciusko - 34

Lafayette Square - 36

Lasalle Park - 40

Lewis Place - 39

Lindenwood Park - 103

Marine Villa - 56

Mark Twain - 86

Mark Twain I-70 Ind - 26

Mckinley Heights - 40

Midtown - 152

Mount Pleasant - 69

Near N Riverfront - 55

North Hampton - 85

North Riverfront - 29

North Point - 75

O'Fallon - 102

O'Fallon Park - 1

Old North St Louis - 44

Patch - 48

Peabody-Darst-Webb - 31

Penrose - 145

Penrose Park - 1

Princeton Heights- 62

Riverview - 22

Shaw - 84

Skinker-Debaliviere - 48

Soulard - 98

South Hampton - 61

Southwest Garden - 69

St Louis Hills - 50

St Louis Place - 39

The Botanical Garden - 0

The Gate District - 44

The Greater Ville - 140

The Hill - 52

The Ville - 43

Tiffany - 42

Tower Grove East - 132

Tower Grove South - 4

Tower Grove Park - 252

Vandeventer - 44

Visitation Park - 32

Walnut Park East - 102

Walnut Park West - 68

Wells-Goodfellow - 134

West End - 118

Willsmore Park - 1

Wydown-Skinker - 8

(source...)

Crime Statistics - St Louis MO

This months crime reports statistics is from data compiled by the Oakland MO police department.

March 11 - April 10 2009:

Theft - Larceny : 39

Assault: 14

Theft - Fraud: 12

Theft - Forgery: 9

Breaking & Entering: 4

Robbery: 3

Theft of/from vehicle: 3

We are also about to include data on crime reports by neighborhood as compiled by the St Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

We have noticed a significantly increased interest is crime statistics in our region and we hope that these statistics help to educate people as to the goings on in their neighborhoods.

(source...)

Bilock Deadbolts - Special Ends

Due to overwheming demand for the best BUMP PROOF deadbolt available, we have ended our special pricing from the last month.

Our thanks to the many requests for this quality product.

We anticipate more specials in the coming months.

Stay Tuned!

Check out the new July Special!

Biometric Thumblock

BioAxxis Development Corporation has spent the last 18 months designing, developing and patenting the next revolution in biometric fingerprint door lock technology - the BioAxxis® ThumbLock™. We have reformulated the concept of what a fingerprint lock should look like and simplified access so that the biometric sensor is now located conveniently below the handle - at your thumb. 

This fingerprint door lock is one-of-a-kind. The Mona Lisa of biometrics. There is no standalone biometric door lock available on the world market like it in terms of…

1. Customizable Access Methods
2. Security and Quality Standards
3. Versatility and Feature Set
4. Regulatory Compliance
5. Access Control Capability

The BioAxxis® ThumbLock™ was designed for a wide range of applications. For the high-end residential consumer, this biometric door lock puts all the others to shame. While beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, don’t be fooled. The ThumbLock™ is a security system on your front door, providing you with a highly sought after lifestyle improvement. It can be installed indoors or outdoors with no concern for rain, snow, dust or humidity. You can transform your world from “care free” living to “key free” living with the ThumbLock™ and become the envy of your neighborhood. Think of the applications….

1. Single family residence
2. Townhomes
3. Condominiums
4. Apartments
5. Rental Properties

For the commercial customer, the ThumbLock™ is a must have product if you are serious about security and ensuring no more risk associated with shared keys or shared swipe cards. You can rest assured that you will know exactly who is using your locks at all times. Not only will you have Audit Trail tracking capability but also a fully features Access Control system on the door. And you will receive the uncompromising commercial-grade quality standards synonymous with the BioAxxis® brand. This lock is a true workhorse, capable of hundreds and hundreds of thousands of duty cycles. And compare the pricing of the ThumbLock™ to the other PIN-code only door locks on the market – for comparable dollars, you will receive so much more for your money with the ThumbLock™. Here is a brief sampling of the commercial applications… 

1. Hospitals & Pharmacies
2. Universities
3. Government & Military Installations
4. Manufacturing Facilities
5. Law Firms

Your BioAxxis® ThumbLock™ is easy to program and easy to use as a standalone system. To enhance the performance, you can add the following upgrades…

The AT Upgrade (coming  June 2009) will work by downloading audit trail records to a 1GB flash drive. Easy to use Audit Trail software based in MS Access will be included in this package as well.

The PCMU™ (PC Management Upgrade - coming June 2009) will also be available to centrally enroll fingerprints in your PC with a fingerprint scanner and manage each individual user's rights per lock as though the ThumbLock™ was a full-blown access control system. You will not believe the feature enhancements this will provide! You can then upload that programming information to the flash drive to program all your ThumbLocks. And you can still download your Audit Trail data using the flash drives.

Available at Master Key Systems America, from June 2009.

Price On Application.

Master Key Systems America LLC/Locks210.com prefers to deal in Bioaxxis products because of their superior design and quality. Having investigated multiple products, we have found that the Bioaxxis product line offers the best security and value for money.

Missouri Attorney General Says Locksmith Has Gouged Customers

Missouri Attorney General says locksmith has gouged customers

BY STEPHEN DEERE

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

04/04/2009

A Florida-based locksmith company has been gouging customers in St. Louis and elsewhere for about a year, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said Friday. 

Koster has sued Dependable Locks Inc., and its registered agent, David Peer, of Dunedin, Fla., for seven violations of state law. He is asking a judge to order the company to stop doing business in the state and grant each victim $1,000 per violation. 

At a press conference in St. Louis on Friday, Koster said about 30 people have complained to his office about the company, which operates under 16 different names in the phone book and on yellowpages.com. 

When customers called the businesses, which they often believed to be local, they were routed to a call center in Florida, Koster said. The call center would quote a price to fix or open a lock, and then dispatch an employee to a vehicle or residence. The promised price was often about $50.

"When they arrive 30 minutes later, they say, 'This looks like a difficult lock and it's going to be at least $150, and we need it tonight in cash,'" Koster said.

The company also listed false addresses with the phone company, according to Koster. At the press conference, he was flanked by pictures of an AT&T office in St. Charles, a St. Louis woman's home and a Captain D's restaurant. All were places the company had given as addresses.

"If a customer wants to go and complain to this business, they can't go and find it," Koster said. 

Messages seeking comment from the company were not returned.

Koster also is asking that AT&T disconnect the numbers that Dependable Locks has used and for the phone company to remove all the listings from the Internet. 

Given how many names the company has used, Koster believes there are thousands of victims. He urged anyone who thinks they may have been a victim to contact his office (visit ago.mo.gov; or call 1-800-392-8222).

Koster did not know how many employees the company has in the area or how they have been recruited. He said his office is still determining "who we intend to drag into court."

(source...)

Wireless Digital Peephole

A different version of the wireless peephole concept now available, but perhaps a little expensive.

This super intelligent device is designed to retro-fit in place of an existing peephole and enables full color images of persons or objects outside the door.

The innovative Digital Door Viewer ™ is an electronic video system designed to replace common door viewers and peephole viewing tubes. The Digital Door Viewer ™ delivers on-demand, high quality images, and is totally integrated and self-contained.

• Stand alone function — requires no connection to external power wiring or monitor displays
• Quick and easy to install into new construction or retrofitted to existing door
• Easy operation — press a button and a color video image is displayed on a monitor mounted on the inside of the door
• Provides an expanded field of view from a comfortable viewing distance

$399.00

(source...)

Black & Decker Wireless Locks UPDATE

As previously reported here, Black & Decker, owners of the Kwikset, Weiser and now Baldwin brands are in the process of releasing their own version of a wirelessly activated and lockable entry door system.

In contrast to ‘electronic’ locks that require the user to manually actuate the bolt to lock or unlock the door, Black & Decker’s electronic motorized lock throws the bolt and provides the ability to lock and unlock doors via a RF remote control, Web-enabled mobile phone, security system touch panel and/or a secure Internet connection. Wireless and remote access-enabled Black & Dekker locks also feature SmartKey technology with BumpGuard protection that allows homeowners to re-key their lock themselves without removal from the door.

Product Features

Motor driven bolt allows you to remotely lock/unlock the door without manual assistance

Operates off of 4 AA batteries

Battery life is one year based on 15 uses per day

Holds up to 30 users

Easy installation

Fits all standard doors and replaces all standard deadbolts

Back-light integrated in keypad

Compliments any existing door hardware

Available in 3 finishes: Venetian Bronze, Satin Nickel and Polished Brass

Time fence capabilities — grant individual user access by time of day or day of week

Time stamping and audit trails

Pricing TBA

(Source...) (picture source...)

March 2, 1887: The Birth of Master Lock Co.

By Randy Alfred 03.02.09

1887: Harry Soref is born. The inventor will miniaturize the security of a bank vault into the everyday padlock.
As a young man, Soref earned his living as a traveling locksmith in the United States, Canada and Mexico. During World War I, he invented a special padlock for protecting tanks and other military equipment.
Soref established the Master Key Company to produce skeleton keys, but he had an idea to improve padlocks at no great expense. Most padlocks of the time had cheap metal casings that you could easily bust open with a hammer. Security? Hah!
Building a padlock from thicker steel would be expensive. Instead, Soref applied the design of bank vaults and battleships: Use multiple layers of thin pieces of steel in a laminated construction. In his patent filing, he said: "A great advantage which flows from my invention is that the material employed in the production of the laminations is available to the manufacturer without any cost attached thereto. Such laminations are punched from the small 'scrap' which is created in very large quantities in manufacturing establishments operating punching presses."
Soref tried to interest big hardware companies in the idea, but engineers thought the construction process was too cumbersome. So, with backing from a couple of friends, Soref established the Master Lock Company in 1921 and began building the little devils himself in a small Milwaukee shop — with five employees, a drill press, a grinder and a punch press.
The locks — patented in 1924 — were tough, and the company prospered. Corporate lore says Soref taught Harry Houdini how to hide keys under his tongue and between his fingers.
Milwaukee was famous for its beer, but Prohibition was in force. When the growing firm needed larger quarters, it moved into the shut-down Pabst brewery. Master Lock sent a famous shipment of 147,600 padlocks to federal agents in New York City in 1928, and the irony was not lost on many that speakeasies and distilleries were soon shut down and secured with locks made in a former brewery.
The American Association of Master Locksmiths in 1931 awarded Soref's many achievements with the only gold medal it has ever bestowed.
Soref died in 1957 and never saw Master Lock's famous 1974 SuperBowl commerical. It featured a high-powered rifle shooting a hole through a sturdy Master Lock without opening it.
(source...)

Hidden Special Price For Lockwood 7444 $105.00 (With $1.00 Shipping In The Lower 48 Only)

Color Choice

Satin Pearl   Chrome Plate

 

Can You Account For All Your Keys?

Duplicates Open House For Criminal

By: Johnny Jenkins

Gina is a sales woman at a midsize retail store. She is a very beautiful woman who is comfortable working with all types of people. She makes a good living and enjoys her work very much. She has a nice expensive sports car and a nice home. She usually hires other people to perform maintenance on her home and take care of her car.

Her schedule simply does not allow her to keep pace with the everyday things such as home and car maintenance. She takes very good care of her car. She gets all the vehicles scheduled maintenance and periodic inspections. She usually waits for her car. She gives the mechanic her ring of keys and they return them when they are finished.

She has been going to the same mechanics for years. She trusted them. They were a family business and friends of her family. Unknowing to her they had hired an outsider to do janitorial work. He had just moved into town and convinced the owner the he was in desperate need of work in order to move his family to the area. They were kindhearted people and decided to give him a try.

One day she brought her vehicle into the shop for some routine maintenance. She greeted everyone as she usually does and pitched the mechanic the keys. Then she took a seat in the waiting room. The mechanic took the car in and started the inspection. He left the keys in the car to keep from loosing them as they always did.

The mechanic had to take a bathroom break, so he left the area for a few minutes. That was enough time for the new guy to wander over near the car. He acted like he was getting a hard to reach piece of trash. He reached into the car and made a quick impression of all Ginas keys. He also looked on the invoice and got her address.

When Gina left the mechanic shop, her keys were returned. The next day Gina went to work as she normally does. She was in such a hurry that she forgot to set her house alarm. She had a pretty good day at work. She returned home to find her front door open. She called the police to escort her inside the house. At first everything looked normal, but then she moved to her bedroom.

It was in shambles and her jewelry valued at $500,000 was gone. She was devastated, but also happy that she was not there when they robbed her. She filed a report with the police. They theorized there was no forced entry. Whoever robbed her was already in the house or had a key. That is when it hit her. The mechanics shop was the only place where she was separated from her keys.

She knew everybody there, so who could have done such a thing. She told the police and they went to the shop to investigate. They asked the owner about his employees. He asked if there was anybody he thought would have done this? He said no. Then he asked if they had any new employees. He said, I did but he quit this morning. That is when everything came together. The new guy was guilty. He was long gone and never found.

Always keep your house keys separate from other keys. While it is a little inconvenient, it reduces the risk of inadvertently becoming a victim. It only takes a few minutes for someone to make an impression of your keys. If you loose all your keys and the wrong person finds them, then you could be the target of a crime. If you do loose your keys, have all your locks changed immediately. Always have a self defense strategy in case of emergency.

(source...)

Or call Master Key Systems America to get keys that cannot be copied.

Bump Keys - Discover Why Your Door Locks Are Probably Useless

By: Eric Graudins

You are about to discover something that scared the hell out of me. The locks I rely on to protect my family and my business can be opened without damage in seconds. By just about anyone, using easily found information about Bump Keys.

You don't need special tools. Or locksmith training. All you need is a normal key that you can file down with an ordinary file. Or you can buy a bump key on the internet.

Firstly - my philosophy. I don't believe in "Security by Obscurity" - where severe problems with the things that we rely on are covered up and kept secret for use by people who want to harm us. The technique of bump keying (also known as rapping) has been known for over 50 years. Lock manufacturers and criminals know all about it. While all of us poor suckers still buy crappy locks that we falsely believe will protect our families and possessions.

What's the Problem?

There is a fundamental flaw in the design of the pin and tumbler mechanisms that are used on commonly sold latches and deadlocks. Including those rated as "high security". This flaw makes it possible for anyone to open many of these locks - even deadlocks - very quickly using a technique known as "bumping" This technique does not damage the lock. All you need is a filed down key that fits into the lock, and some practice using a certain technique,

In a bizarre twist, the more expensive locks are actually easier to open, because of their tighter tolerances, and better quality. A Dutch consumer organisation tested over 60 locks that have been approved by the police as providing High Security, and found that most of them could be bumped open.

I realise that locksmiths and criminals have always been able to open locks without keys. But this technique allows almost anyone to do it. At first, I thought Bump Keying was a joke, so I spent a large part of a weekend researching it. Unfortunately I found that the technique actually works.

Imagine This. You arrive home (or at your business), unlock the door, and discover that everything of value is missing. Your new Home Entertainment system, Computers, Stereo Equipment, etc. etc. All gone. You are devastated. But that's nothing to what happens next. You call the police and your insurance company, and make a claim. The insurance company refuses to pay.

What's worse - they think you did it - because there is no sign of illegal entry, and your premises are protected by high quality locks. They might even charge you with attempted fraud. Not a nice situation for an innocent, recently burgled person to find themselves in.

This situation is apparently becoming more and more common. In Australia some companies will pay out on a theft claim where there is no forced entry, as long as the theft has been reported to the police. Some won't. (Check your situation with your insurer.) And even if your premises are not burgled, are you comfortable with the fact that someone can open your locks, come in and snoop around your house, and then leave without a trace? Bump Keys make this possible.

Bump Keying - The Proof.

NOVA is a well respected European TV program. They have made a video, which includes a full demonstration of key bumping, and comments from lock experts and police. Like I said, it scared the hell out of me - especially after I tried an experiment myself, and found that everything I had discovered was true.

I obtained a bump key, and practiced on the deadlock on my back door for about 5 minutes. After about 15 tries, I got the technique right, and the lock opened. Another 10 tries - did it again. Another 5 minutes, and I could do it almost every time. I tried another lock at home - and it opened. I then went over to my sister's house, and she was stunned when I opened her security deadlock at the second attempt. (total time taken for both attempts: - 4 seconds)

Not every lock can be bumped. I've tried 2 others without success. But experts estimate that the technique will work on the majority of commonly used house locks.

How Many People Know about This? Many Millions. There are lots of Internet sites and fully documented reports about the technique readily available on the internet. Bumping has been widely reported in Europe, and covered on several TV programs. The US magazine Newsweek also did a story on it recently, and it's all over the social contact sites that young people use.

What To Do Next

1. If you are concerned about this, go to your locksmith and buy a bump proof lock cylinder.
I understand that Abloy disk tumbler locks, and BiLock locks cannot be opened by bumping.

2. Do some research regarding the topics discussed here.

3. Take as much (or as little) action that you feel is necessary to adequately protect your family and property.

(source...)

Bilock Deadbolts - Special

For all the security conscious people out there, this is the Bilock Deadbolt. A grade 2 deadbolt available in brass, satin chrome (stainless steel), dark bronze. Supplied with your choice of keyhead colour. Choose from almost 9000 colours.
This is a totally bump proof and virtually pick proof lock. Each Bilock system is carefully designed to maximise security. Bilock offers total key control. Only a correctly authorised written request will be accepted to provide duplicate keys and only from the locksmith agent that set up the system.

Single Cylinder version $1 69.00
Double Cylinder version $2 29.00
Includes 3 keys.
Installation P.O.A.

LIMITED SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS
BILOCK SINGLE CYLINDER DEADBOLTS $80.00 EACH

(Missouri residents pay sales tax @7.5%)
NOT INCLUDING SHIPPING

Email requests preferred.

You will receive a signature authority form to return. Unreturned forms will be unable to purchase additional keys in future.

USB Storage Solution

Following up on their CurrenKey ultraportable flash drives, Lacie has a new storage solution that will have you losing even more keys then you already do. This one takes the form factor of…keys.

These miniature microSD card readers offer 20MB/s read and 10MB/s write speeds. PassKey supports microSDHC cards, and both iamaKey and itsaKey are avaialable with 4GB or 8GB of built-in storage. It won’t start your car or get you into your home, but it may still scratch a lottery ticket and they are shock-proof and Windows ReadyBoost-compatible.

(Thanks SlipperyBrick)

Chesterfield MO Property Crime Rise

KPLR Channel 11 news in St Louis reported tonite on the alarming increase in property crimes in the cities of Chesterfield and Wildwood, today.

According to police reports, vandals apparently went on a crime spree, stealing 2 cars, breaking into houses, stealing purses and keys and going on joy rides in said vehicles knocking over 19 mailboxes in their path.

Chesterfield police report they have no concrete leads at this time.

Master Key Systems America are securing homes and businesses in the greater St Louis region. Our conveniently located Creve Coeur workshop and especially equipped service vehicles are staffed by competent and qualified technicians with over 25 years international experience in many facets of the physical security products and services industry.

As a neighbor, I am mortified that such crimes are occuring on my doorstep.

Protecting yourself, your family, your colleagues and your properties is vital in maintaining your property value, protecting insurance policies from increasing and the true well-being of everyone.

Method of entries, according to police reports, suggest burglars kicking in doors, accessing open garages and unlocked cars, taking pocket books and keys.

The daring burglars are becoming more desperate during these recent economic times and all citizens need to be wary and secure their properties.

We offer some unique and high quality, aesthetically appealing alternatives to maximise your security applications, including the Strikemaster II frame strengthener, Bilock Extreme Security deadbolts and locksets, Baldwin products and other unique products to help you provide your family and properties with the best defense from intruders.

(thanks KPLR11)

Warmer/Colder Find It All - Wireless Key Locator

A new product just released, widens the market of products in it's category.

The Find It All, offers a unique perspective.

Remember when we were children, we used to play the warmer/colder game? Where someone would hide something and make you look for it, giving you clues as to whether you were warmer (closer) or colder (farther away).

This new product, cleverly brings that old game to a reallity with this innovative method of a glowing light that increases it's strobe as you get closer to your desired object.

The set consists of 2 sturdy key chain tags and 1 very robust flat tag, so you can attach one key chain to your keys, the other to your phone and pop the flat tag in your wallet or purse (of course this is just a suggestion, it's entirely up to you exactly where and on what or who you choose to attach them).

Unlike other systems that are either a receiver or a transmitter - the Find it All Key Finder tags are both, so if you've got one, it will find the others for you. Clever huh?

Product Specification

Product dimensions (2 x key fob): 0.8(H) x 3(W) x 7(D) cm / 0.3(H) x 1.2(W) x 2.75(D) inches.
Product dimensions (1 x flat fob): 0.6(H) x 4.8(W) x 6.9(D) cm / 0.25(H) x 1.9(W) x 2.7(D) inches.

The Ultimate Key Finder set includes 2 x key fob receiver/transmitter units and 1 x flat fob receiver/transmitter unit.

Each fob is a two-way device, capable of signalling any other fob to beep and flash, helping you locate the lost item attached to it.

The flat fob comes with a lanyard and double sided tape for attachment to items such as a mobile phones, wallets, purses, bags, MP3 players, iPods etc...

To locate a missing object attached to a Find It All Key Finder fob, simply locate one of your other Find It All Key Finder fobs and enter the code corresponding to the item you are searching for. If the missing fob is within range (up to 10 metres / 30 feet) it will begin to beep and flash.

Find It All Key Finders also feature proximity detection, whereby the rate at which the fob used to locate another fob is flashing represents the distance between the two fobs. Therefore, the closer you get to a missing item the faster the LED light flashes.

Each receiver/transmitter fob unit requires a CR2032 battery (included).

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Poor Service

Recently, I have been called out on numerous occasions to repair/replace products on clients doors that were previously worked on by untrained and unknowing handymen, attempting to provide services without the knowledge, training or experience that professional locksmiths have spent years acquiring the knowledge for.

A particular example is this:

Client call us to rekey their locks on their home. We inform of our price structure over the telephone. An appointment is booked and our technician arrives early to the appointment.

The estimated cost is given again, prior to receiving the "go ahead" from the client.
Locks are removed from the doors and taken to the service vehicle for re-keying.

Upon inspection of the cylinders, many of the interior parts (the tumblers and springs) are missing. Prior to "fixing" the cylinders, our technician consults the client as to how recently the locks were worked on. The client responds that they were worked on by a handyman/carpenter just days before, but as the locks werent working properly, they decided to have a professional repair after the handyman refuses to honor any perceived warranty.

Due to the problems caused by an untrained "handyman", the cylinders take considerably longer and require more parts to "fix", yet the client has already been quoted a cost, so switching prices midway is unethical, inappropriate and not in the best interests of our company.

Repairing the cylinders does not take too much extra time, but due to the quantity of cylinders, extra time is multiplied by the quantity.

The client is always very happy with our services, because we honor our words and provide value for money.

Still, many customers choose to do business with an untrained person rather than call a trained technician, because of the price to value perception. It is true that sometimes you can benefit from having a handyman "also" do your locks....but they cannot and often do not (or are unable) to warranty their work. There is an old saying, "Pay peanuts and get monkeys", this should apply to anyone seeking to "cheap out" on their families or their colleagues protection.

Ezine Articles

I recently had an article published on respected Internet site EzineArticles.com.

It is an honor to have been accepted into a community of authors and people who have had an article published publicly.

Why join an article publishing site?
The exposure and free advertising that come with perception as an expert in your field are enhanced tremendously by third party facilities that are prepared to scrutinize your works and content and have them available to a broad cross-section of the world wide web.

It is another attempt at gaining a wider exposure, without necessarily paying for it.

What You Get For Sending In Your Best Quality Original Articles:

• Boosts Your Personal and Business Credibility:
  Getting published in EzineArticles.com boosts your credibility and begins the trust cycle with your readership. For many authors, being listed with EzineArticles.com is an excellent way to get started, especially if you are a published author or hope to be published soon. There is a book inside each of us waiting to come out.



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  This is caused by the ezine publishers who come to our site throughout the year to pick up quality articles for their email newsletter or website in addition to our end-user base of millions of people who are looking to immediately benefit from your expertise. When your articles get picked up for reprints, you will often get a surge of traffic as your articles are introduced to their email list members or audience.



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  Your articles may be viewed by the (MILLIONS of visitors) that use our site every month! We work very hard to deliver a positive, fast and end-user obsessed experience that keeps our fan base returning for more.



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  You become known as the expert by your article and this endears potential customers to you before they even visit your website. There is no better way to "pre-sell" your prospects than article marketing.



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  Your prospects are pre-sold as you have already begun the reciprocation cycle by giving first, through your expertise in your articles. When they visit your site, your qualified prospects will already know something about you and feel endeared to reciprocate, or at least check out your products.



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  Having your articles in EzineArticles.com allows them to pre-sell your ideal target prospects without you having to make any cold calls or face-to-face sales appointments to sell your products or services. It's not so much about making sales directly as it is qualified lead generation. We get the pre-qualified visitor to your website and then it's up to you to convert or monetize those visitors.



• You May Receive Free Ads in Targeted Ezines:
  Your author Resource Box at the end of the body of each of your articles acts as an advertisement for your business. When ezine publishers come to our site to pick up and reprint your articles to their newsletter base, you essentially get free ads in their newsletter. The better quality you put in your article, the higher your chances are of increased distribution by the ezine publishers who use our site to find quality content to send to their thousands or perhaps even tens of thousands of permission-based members.



• To Be Recognized as an Expert Author:
  When your articles are accepted in EzineArticles.com, you become recognized as an EzineArticles expert author. This adds prestige and perceived value by others when they view your articles in our site.



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  Every single article submitted by the tens of thousands of expert authors who call our site home for their articles have been reviewed by our human editors who double check each article for quality (grammar, spelling, no dead links, etc). This ensures the company your articles keep has integrity.



• Improve Your Sales: (even if you're only selling an "idea")
  While this is not the only reason you should submit your articles to EzineArticles.com, it is a great one. It does not matter if you are selling products, services, or an even an "idea". EzineArticles.com can help improve your sales by bringing your business quality traffic and leads via the links in your resource box below the body of your article. Article visitors often turn into customers.



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  If you have already produced a series of quality articles, why not submit them to our expert community to get even more ROI from your efforts?



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  Every article you submit to EzineArticles.com is like casting a wider net to reach new customers and traffic that would have never found your articles or website before.



• Get Continual Traffic To Your Website For Many Years To Follow For Free:
  In the majority of cases, your articles will be in EzineArticles.com for at least an initial 180 days (6 months); however, many ezine publishers and webmasters who pick up your articles for reprints, including your resource box, will display your articles and links for many years. This means surges of traffic this year and many random spikes and continual traffic over the next decade. We have no intentions at this time to remove any articles after the 180 guaranteed-inclusion days, but reserve the right to keep our site fresh by removing articles that are no longer current.

Today, it is fundamental to business success to enjoy a presence on the world wide web. You can pay $$$ for that exposure or with a little patience and confidence in yourself, you can become an author and have your words of wizdom work for you instead.

My most recent article can be found here: The Trouble With "So Called" Experts

I also have had 2 other articles published:

Lock Bumping - The Truth!

How Much Does It Cost To Change Locks?

Master Keying - How it Works

BiLock's completely interchangeable core lock system (QCC) enables a lock

combination to be changed in seconds, provides second-to-none key controls, offers fast and efficient maintenance and large, virtually unlimited master keying system capabilities!

So-called "Master Key" systems have almost become a generic term. Real Master Key Systems that can incorporate Because it offers switch locks, perimeter locks, filing cabinet locks, garage door locks and virtually any lock on the market today are much rarer, and BiLock is very rare. BiLock offers virtually infinite combinations with tightly controlled security, it gives both the locksmith and the end user confidence and flexibility. It is the Company's understanding of what a true Master Key System requires that has positioned BiLock at the forefront in todays security market.

The BiLock key system utilises up to 12 chambers with 4 depths per chamber. The numerical sum of these combinations gives 16,777,216 actual key combinations per profile. Powerful Master Key Systems can be generated from these combinations. It also makes possible an authentic and convenient one key system for each individual user authorised to access any particular area, building or group of buildings.

Authorised BiLock agents use a computerised master key generation system, which allows them to build seriously complex Master Key Systems without compromising system security.

Master Key Systems America, a family owned company, have been servicing, manufacturing and installing BiLock Extreme Security Key Control Systems for over 20 years. Our conveniently located workshop and especially equipped service vehicles are staffed by competent and qualified technicians. Our use of the World's N0# 1 rated master-keying software, Promaster 5, complements our ability to design and maintain even the most complex systems.

Combining BiLock with our ranges of premium hardware, offers the discerning commercial or residential property, total security and key control protection.

With BUMP KEYS, being discussed very often across the world wide web and instructional videos abundantly available, to teach how easily the keys can be made and lock systems attacked, NOW is the time to thwart any chance of being a victim of bump keys, by installing the widely proven and oldest 100% guaranteed bump proof pin tumbler system on the planet!

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Call Us TODAY for your confidential estimate! (314)-266-1533

Did You Know?

• Every 13 seconds a home is burglarized.
  
• In more than 50 percent of all residential burglaries, entry is gained through a door.
• More than 85 percent of break-ins are committed by non-professional burglars, who are usually desperate and dangerous individuals.
• Fifty percent of all burglaries occur during the day.
• 2 out of 3 residential burglaries occur through a first floor door, yet the majority of homeowners invest more in their tennis shoes than on quality locks for their doors.
• The average alarm response time (the time it takes the police to arrive) in the US is well over 10 minutes after the burglary has occurred, yet many homeowners trust an alarm for their security.
• 30% of assault cases and 60% of rapes occur in conjunction with a burglary/robbery, yet many homeowners claim they have nothing to protect.
• 2 out of 5 burglars have met the occupant at some point and have likely had access to a copy of their keys, yet the majority of homeowners use locks with absolutely no key control.
• Goods are not recovered in approximately 80% of burglary cases and in 10% of cases reported, the police don’t even respond to the call in person.
  

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First Alert Wireless Peephole

How about this for a modern take on the everlasting security product, the common peephole.

Except that this also doubles as a wirelss cctv device.

Introducing the First Alert Digital Wireless Security System with Dual Function Photo Frame. No more bulky security monitors on your desk. Now you can view your favorite digital photos and monitor your home or business using the same LCD Photo Frame. Setup is a breeze because you don’t have to lay any cables. Just plug it in and you’re ready to go. Utilizing Advanced Digital Wireless Technology you can mount the security camera within 500 ft** of the photo frame without any interference from other wireless devices. The system is expandable up to 4 cameras.

Classic styling and modern convenience combined in this 7" digital picture frame and an indoor / outdoor color digital wireless camera. Pictures are sharp and vibrant thanks to the 480 x 234 pixel LCD panel. Photos can be viewed in an automatic slide show or one at a time with the use of the built-in control buttons or the supplied remote control. Slideshows can be enhanced with music. Video clips can be shown as well. The PH559 digital picture frame offers a classic design with its real wood frame, perfectly suitable for any home or office.

The Digital Wireless signal is the latest in wireless technology featuring frequency hopping transmission which enables a clearer picture, point to point secure signal, superior sound quality, longer transmission range through walls and floors (500 ft** range) with no static, and is totally Wi-Fi and wireless friendly. Utilizing Digital Wireless cameras allows the user to cut their setup time in half while increasing the camera distances from the DVR. First Alerts Digital Wireless Cameras have a range up to 500 ft**.

You can easily switch from photo frame mode to security camera mode with the touch of a button on the photo frame or included remote control. In addition the signal is completely secure and cannot be monitored by others, unlike traditional analog wireless devices. In addition, the camera is equipped with Night Vision up to 30 ft and can be mounted either inside or outside. With the ability to expand the system up to 4 cameras the PH559 is the sleekest and most versatile security system on the market.

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Key Holder Concept

Every person uses a key today. So, everyone most likely has a keyring. When you come home, where do you put your keys so you can easily find them next?

I am a locksmith with over 25 years in the business, but still today I am constantly misplacing my own keys. I might put them down when I come in, forget where I put them and frantically search and retrace my steps to find them, whenever I need to leave.



This concept design keyholder is beautiful and simple in my opinion. The rubber slots are able to take almost any design of key and hold them securely in place.

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New Finger Vein Technology

Sony recently released details on a new biometric technology that reads the internal vein structure as opposed to "older" fingerprint recognition technology.

The advancement in this technology, enhances potential security applications, immensely.

Apparently the size of the sensors have also been reduced to allow for the development of better locking systems including for gates and aluminum style doors.

Many aluminum doors across the world are produced with narrow frames. Up until now, fingerprint readers have been too bulky for installation on narrow style doors, hence the slow uptake across the world. With the advent of this exciting new technology breakthrough, I can see on the horizon, the day when keys will be that product of yesteryear. The 5000 year old invention that took 5000 years to be made redundant.

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The Wedge (Portalarm)

You've come home from work, switched off your alarm system, left it off for the evening.

Imagine you are home alone. The door is closed. You are in your living room enjoying your nightly activity.

Oblivious to the outside world, you didnt hear the door open and the stranger walk in.

Prevent unwanted intruders. The Wedge is your portable, affordable alarm, sounding a 110Db siren, enough to scare the living daylights out of said intruder.



You are home alone. Doors are secure. What about the sliding window or the patio door? Are they secure?

The Wedge doubles as a window alarm, loud enough to alert when the slider has been forced.

It becomes an effective security device, when you consider the statistics...

According to a recent survey of prisoners, 85% of all burglars (in prison) stated any loud noise would have stopped them.

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Yeti Portable Alarm

The Yeti is a portable, outdoor alarm system designed to protect your valuables from other people’s temptation. It’s designed to be left unattended in the back of your truck, near your tools or wherever your good stuff is bound to get nicked. It works like a car alarm and comes with a handy key fob to turn the unit on and off remotely so you don’t set it off as you go back and forth.

It’s equipped with a 110dB siren and a strobe so you should be able to hear and see it even over the sound of power tools. The front passive IR sensor can detect anything within 25 feet and the rear sensor anything up to 12 feet away. It also has a bump sensor so you can leave it on things as well as using the motion sensor and be assured no one can just pick it up and be off it. The built-in battery is good for 2-3 weeks of use but that will probably depend on how often you set off when you go back to get things.

The other nifty feature is it has a built-in Bluetooth unit. If you leave a spare mobile phone within Bluetooth range of the unit with your phone number programmed into the speed-dial then the Yeti can ring your phone if the alarm is triggered. You can also set the main alarm to be silent and just use the Bluetooth dialing feature so you can catch ‘em in the act and teach them some manners.

The makers claim you can also use it to scare off critters or as a deterrent to keep people out of dangerous areas, after all there’s nothing like a 110dB siren to say “Danger Will Robinson!!” $US249.99 direct from the manufacturers.

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