Minute Key Kiosk Produces Keys That Often Do Not Work...

Big box store patrons may have noticed the Minute Key Kiosks popping up at various Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart and other hardware stores over the last couple of years.

Key duplication is a service not only provided by locksmiths, but also hardware stores, shoe repairers and some gas stations too.

We have mentioned the Minute Key Kiosk in this blog previously, but were asked to remove the post by the distributor because the product hadn been officially released at that time.

This story comes about thanks to a post from a colleague in the Society Of Professional Locksmiths.

The machine in question, located in a Lowes store on the east coast, recently suffered a malfunction where the store manager was unable to open the machine up to remove money and replace the metal stock for continuing to make keys.

The manager had the operating key and could turn it in the access lock, but couldnt get the lock to function, requiring him to call a locksmith technician to fix the ailment.

My colleague attended and performed his miracle save, quickly and efficiently, allowing for the machine to be put back into operation quickly.

Normally that would be the end of the story, but there are a few things worth noting about these machines.

Reports are coming in from customers and other technicians who have paid to have their keys duplicated by these machines, with most of the commenters indicating that the keys do not work.

One store, even decided to offer all staff a free duplicate key when they first got their kiosk and every staff member reported back that the duplicate key did not work at all.

Shawn Duckett, of SOS Security Solutions in Ohio and another fellow member of SOPL, wrote, "I've had a few customers come out to my shop after getting a key cut from one of those machines and complaining that the key didn't work. I also had a customer who worked at Lowes and they had a key machine like that installed. They gave everyone in the store a Free cut key of their choice. NONE worked."

Tom Gorham, of Lockdoc in Longview Washington and another fellow member of SOPL wrote, "My wife just purchased a key at Lowe's 
that has a ‎carabiner clip built in as the head of the key. 
They asked if she wanted it cut, she said no. 
They talked her into getting it cut there...it did not work. 

I was able to salvage the key...The spacing was 1/2 cut off. 
What can you expect ? The AXXESS machines they use are not Idiot proof."

Check out some reviews from customers on the Menards page...

Feel free to post your feelings about your experiences with Minute Key Kiosks in the comments section below, (you are welcome to include a link to your website - NOTE comments are subject to moderation)

Trident Multi Point Lock Products - Putting Strength Back Into Security

Trident Solutions are a great company who provide surprisingly strong multi-point lock systems for industrial and commercial applications, that are considered at the top of the chain for their security, ease of installation, strength and ambience.

Sensational products that suitably secure your premises are often much better than electronic alarm systems, because unlike alarm systems, physical security products directly prevent destructive entry techniques. Alarm systems make a noise, which is great if you want to be informed, but they do nothing to stop you getting broken into.

I have personally installed 2 of the Trident Solutions and the clients are very happy, even 4 years down the track.

If strength and confidence in your security system is a integral need for you, look no further than Trident to appease you.

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Foley-Belsaw Closed. 90 Year Old Training Company And Correspondence Course Leader Shuts It's Doors

Breaking News: December 19, 2017.

Unsubstantiated reports are coming in that Foley-Belsaw, the almost 100 year old company repsonsible for providing correspondence courses that enabled many entrepeneurs to build businesses, has closed down yesterday December 18, 2017.

FB has been providing unique training courses in locksmithing and other vocations for almost 100 years. A great many businesses across many cities, states, country towns, counties and across the world were formed using FB as their mentor and training regime.

FB gave a start to many small business people in the locksmith arena, where others failed.
Their unique correspondence course provided would-be students with an affordable and straightforward course to learn many of the basic aspects of the trade.

Based in no small part on the mail order industry, I suggest that they may have fallen prey to the ever expanding World Wide Web.

There are a number of respected organizations today that offer training course in locksmithing and other vocations. Some of whom we are happy to recommend, especially the Society Of Professional Locksmiths SOPL, North Bennet Street School, Lockmasters and others abroad.

Keep It Yours - Lock Your Doors

Locksmith Industry Mergers - LSC Buys ADI Lockwise

LSC Merges With ADI Lockwise









Breaking News: Our sources reveal that the locksmith industry in Australia recently has seen Locksmith Supply Company  purchase the well known ADI Security Products.

ADI Security Products is the brainchild of Brian and Peter Preddey, two of the most well known names in the Australian Locksmith Industry. The purpose of ADI was as a tool manufacturer and specialty products creator for locksmiths around Australia. When there was a product missing in the industry, Brian and Peter, also locksmiths and owners of Preddey's Locksmiths in the southern districts of Sydney, Australia, consulted with their industry colleagues to create a product that filled that demand.

Chief among these products was the Preddey Bolt, now called the ADI Security Bolt. This product is one of, if not the most secure and well built locking product of it's kind. We reviously wrote about some ADI products in 2009. See ADI Cap Lock


We have touted ADI products for many years because we believe their quality is actually unsurpassed in our industry. Having met both Brian and Peter many times, at MLAA conventions, these two stalwarts of the industry are the most approachable gentlemen you could meet.

Locksmith Supply Company, was started by Aubrey Johnson in 1926 and has become the most complete provider of locksmith and security industry products in Australia. Check out their corporate video.

I have known Mark Johnson, professionally and personally for all my 35 years in this trade and enjoyed a cuppa with him when he won the raffle at ALOA's 50th anniversary Convention and Trade show, a few years ago in Las Vegas. His prize was a sweet old Cadillac convertible with white walled tires. He actually shipped it home to Oz a few months later.

LSC is a great company and a huge supporter and mentor to the industry in Australia.

Lock Focus - Lock Manufacturing Simplicity For Over 40 Years

We are but one international partner for Lock Focus, concentrating our sales efforts across North America.

We are proud resellers of various unique products of theirs like their Gravity Locks for residential and industrial waste bins.

Gravity Opening Bin Lock

Ideal for wheelie bins, designed to automatically unlock when tipped upside down by garbage collection truck. Also features key access with a stainless steel capped barrel.

MSDS

Manual Opening Bin Lock

Suitable for use on wheelie bins, features key access with a stainless steel capped barrel. (this is not gravity operated)

MSDS

Industrial Gravity Bin Lock

Designed to suit industrial waste bins ranging from 1.5m ³ to 3.0m ³ front lift. Gravity opening eliminates need for driver to unlock container before collection

MSDS

We also sell the Lock Focus Battery Powered Electric Strike.

A simple solution for keyless entry, the EL100 consists of an electornic strike, codepad, and exit button. Featuring an intelligent and secure microprocessor and IP66 rating.

MSDS

There are many other products that Lock Focus make too. Above are just a few of the unique products we resell. 

If anything in their site interests you, please dont hesitate to contact us for additional information.

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KRACK - Follow Up To Last Weeks Article - More Researchers Claim Hack Will Be More Widespread Than Feared

Forbes magazine published an article yesterday, "The Internet Of Things Just Got More Unsafe To Use"

Our article, that we wrote about On October 17, 2017 has been viewed almost 3000 times since then and is causing discussion around the industry.

To quote an excerpt from the article,

“The KRACK vulnerability allows malicious actors to access a WiFi network without the password or key, observe what connected devices are doing, modify the traffic amongst them, and tamper with the responses the network’s users receive. Everyone and anything using WiFi is at risk. Computers, phones, tablets, gadgets, things. All of it. This isn’t just a flaw in the way vendors have implemented WiFi. No. It’s a bug in the specification itself.” - John Romkey, Founder of FTP Software

many more researchers are agreeing with the notion that the IoT devices might be a severe thorn in peoples sides, especially older gadgets that their manufacturers will have gone out of business and the enormous quantity of WiFi connected gadgets that just are or will be unable to accept a security patch, must number in the millions.

Many consumers, including me, are guilty of purchasing at least one or two electronic gadgets that have WiFi connectivity. None of us were ever in the know, that these products were so poorly designed and protected. How could we? But that didnt stop us from buying them and opening our security up to question.

The article goes on to suggest that NOW is the time to disconnect those "unpatched" devices and upgrade to more secure products.

I feel it is very convenient that so many products are doomed to be scrapped and consumers will need to purchase new and expensive gadgets to replace them. Convenient for the legions of gadget manufacturers who will cash in on this "hack" to sell you their next greatest, you beaut, fandangled contraption that "promises" better security.

At this point, we consumers are almost compelled to purchase the new product, especially if the security and safety of our loved ones or our colleagues is important to us.

The Forbes article is in the source below...

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Amazon Key - Giving Amazon Access To Your Private Residence

Breaking News: Amazon Key - Granting Access To Your Private Home.


Today Amazon announced the release of their latest system aimed at improving your shopping and delivery experience.

Amazon Key is their system that allows Amazon to enjoy access to your door, so that they can deliver your Amazon packages without requiring you to be home.

The package includes a smart camera that you hook up inside your house, that communicates through the cloud, to enable you to operate your smart lock when you are not home and thereby allowing your delivered packages to not be left outside where potential thieves can make off with your booty.

The article (in the source below) includes a video that explains what they are trying to do.
Now, there are privacy concerns undoubtedly and as a professional locksmith and security products installer, I would highly NOT recommend this type of service. We provide premium quality security products aimed at keeping you secure from unauthorised entry. This system will decrease the security of your property.

Given the news in the last couple of weeks that WiFi routers are being hacked with the KRACK hack and the recent knowledge about the Blueborne Bluetooth Hack, combined with installation and operational issues, namely smart locks that refuse to lock correctly because your door may be misaligned, the batteries may be flat, the cheap electronics prone to humidity and other weather phenomena, would you really consider giving access to your home to an unknown courier? Even if you could see them?

Many people choose to have an alarm system on their properties. Are you going to switch the alarm off too?

I personally lock my door physically by hand with my mechanical key and am happy in the knowledge that my doors are secure and that no one without my authority can enter. Of course I choose to use the fabulous Bilock-Extreme Security restricted key system on my doors. Bilock is the first 100% bump proof and virtually pick proof pin tumbler system on the market. The color coded keys make identification of keys really easy too.

There are a few other types of systems available from many other locksmiths around the country and the world. Simply talking to your local locksmith professional can save you plenty of money while offering great protection at very reasonable cost.

If you want Amazon to enjoy access to your private home....go ahead and join the revolution against proper and adequate security.

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New Digital 'Hurricane' Churns Gathering Strength To Land Blow On The Internet

In a follow up to our post earlier this month about the KRACK hack, an article yesterday in The Sacramento Bee titled "New Digital 'Hurricane' Churns, Gathering Strength To Land Blow On The Internet" describes a paper by Check Point Software, an Israeli Cyber-Security company, that suggests, " The next cyber-hurricane is about to come".

According to the article (in the source below), Several cyber-security researchers Monday confirmed Check Point’s findings, saying the botnet could replicate, and perhaps dwarf, the Mirai botnet that almost exactly a year ago took down major websites on the Atlantic Coast, crippling a part of the internet’s backbone and slowing traffic to a crawl.

The botnet, which has been named either “Reaper” or “IoTroop,” was first detected in mid-September. A Chinese cybersecurity firm, Qihoo 360, says the botnet is swelling by 10,000 devices a day, forcibly recruiting foot soldiers in an ever-larger invisible rogue army.

Cybercrime gangs form botnets by infecting internet-enabled devices, often wireless cameras or routers with weak security features. Once corralled, controllers can send commands for the botnet to overwhelm a target, knocking its website off line or crippling the internet.

The new botnet has spread across the United States, Australia and other parts of the globe, researchers say, although Check Point notes that “it is too early to assess the intentions” of those propagating the infection.

“It could be something that’s meant to create global chaos,” Maya Horowitz, threat intelligence group manager at Check Point, said in a telephone interview from Israel. “But it could be something that’s more targeted,” perhaps aimed at a country or industry.

She said it is unlikely that cybersecurity experts will be able to halt an eventual attack.

“The chances are pretty low for that,” Horowitz said, adding that like an epidemic of infectious disease, “each infected device is looking for other devices to compromise.”

The article goes on to discuss recent events that took down the internet this year.

We continue to advise our clients to be vigilant about their security products and especially the many internet controlled door locks currently on the market. 

More specifically we are advising consumers to prefer to use mechanically keyed products that do not connect to the internet, to adequately protect their properties.

While we see and agree, that "connected" products can help to offer some access control parameters, we feel that, at this time, the security protocols incorporated in many of the "cheaper" consumer products, are not up to speed and security and could potentially be an easily bypassed issue that will affect the security of your home or office.

Being in the lock and security product industry for the last 35 years and having plied the trade on 4 continents, we continue to advise our clients that mechanical "keyed" operated security products offer substantially better security than many of the current breed of IoT products coming to market.

Even with the many brands of digital code locks currently available, many consumers fail to understand that sharing of access codes presents a greater security issue than having and using a mechanical key. A code once shared, means that you really do not know how many different people have access to your property. Unlike the mechanical key, which requires to be duplicated, a code does not. Sure, you can just change the code, but how is that different from rekeying a lock cylinder?

The difference is that locksmiths have been providing high-security restricted key systems for many years that almost completely prevent unauthorised duplication while providing better quality - higher security components to thwart picking or bumping or other non destructive methods of entry.

Bearing in mind that the cost for a mechanical key operated security product is substantially competitively priced, compared to 'digital' code locks, you can be virtually assured that your property is significantly more secure, while still being affordable.

The video above describes what a bot is and why they are becoming increasingly troublesome to our society today.

Contact your local professional locksmith for competitive options that can increase your properties security at minimal cost.

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