The reason tumbler locks can be bumped is because they have a split set of tumblers that the key brings into alignments so the cylinder can rotate. Lock bumping applies force that causes the tumblers to jump and therefore go into alignments so the cylinder can turn. If there are no split tumblers, lock bumping will not work. As a result warded, lever, wafer, magnetic and disk locks cannot be bumped open. Neither can laser track vehicle locks.

Warded locks are used in old hotel room doors and in some cheap padlocks. While they are not really very secure, they can’t be bumped open. The pictures below show a warded lock and show how they actually work.

Wafer locks are used on cabinets, inexpensive padlocks, desks, alarm panels, showcases, vending machines, elevators, filing cabinets in many other low security applications. Wafer locks use wafers rather than tumblers and the wafers, shown in the picture below stick out of the top of the cylinder and prevent the cylinder from turning. The correct key pulls the wafer down into the cylinder so that it can turn. Wafer locks can be easily picked but are immune to lock bumping.

A lever lock uses a set of levers to prevent the bolt from moving in the lock as shown in the picture below. Lever locks are found in on street mail collection boxes, access for groups of mailboxes located outside residences in a common area like in many apartment complexes as well as those inside entry foyers. They are also used for safe deposit boxes and some high security safes and vaults. Lever locks cannot be opened by lock bumping but can be picked and decoded.

Disk locks cannot be bumped because they are constructed like a combination lock and they can be very secure because they are made with slotted rotating detainer discs. A special key rotates the discs to align the slots which allows the sidebar to drop into the slots and open the lock. However, there are decoding tools available for some disc lock models. The picture below shows a typical disk lock.

Locks that use sliders are immune from bumping. Slider locks are particularly secure against most forms of attack. Similar technology is employed in several different car models. The one pictured below is being used on a patio door.

High Security Locks

There are also biometric locks that scan the owner’s fingerprints available for around $150 and up. But that kind of security may well be worth the investment. If spending $150 and up is not an option, have a look at the bump proof locks we have available. There is a simple solution that can be applied to a deadbolt in as little as 5 minutes that will render the bump key obsolete.

If you would like further information on bump keys go to www.bumpkey.us