Duplicating Keys via Distant Digital Images

A company has developed software that would allow anyone to make a duplicate of your house key just by taking a picture of it. The keys do not even have to be in profile for this to work, the software can determine a key's bitting code from nearly any angle.

Referred to as Sneakey, the system is capable of "teleduplication--extracting a key's complete and precise bitting code at a distance via optical decoding and then cutting precise duplicates," according to Sneakey's Web site. Part of the project's mission is to make people realize that traditional keys are not really as safe as they might think.

I think it's a science project at a university, not a company, which is good news. Still, why even try to duplicate keys when that knocking trick works... I think the knock proof locks can't be duplicated like regular keys.

ok, everyone please send me a pic of your key. and i need your address... for uhm... checking if the quality of reproduced keys is alright before handing it out. yes, quality

Good lord. What next? LOL ... glad I have an alarm w/ battery backup and cell connection.

Or just go to Wal-Mart and have one made for $2.50?

To all potential thieves or intruders of my home:
Please do not waste you time or money with this high-tech crap. Instead you will find that a rock through a window will be more useful. After that, you will need to disarm our security system before it alerts the police. Please act quickly because the alarm really ticks off the prison guard who lives next door - he's usually sleeping during the day. Our 90lb german shephard will keep you company while you work. If we happen to be home, you will also be greeted by one or more handguns, depending on which one of us is home. We live on a dead end street, so please don't jump the back fence when you leave- our neighbor's all have dogs that are bigger than ours. PS. Please smile for the camera.

Originally Posted by Virtus

To all potential thieves or intruders of my home:
Please do not waste you time or money with this high-tech crap. Instead you will find that a rock through a window will be more useful. After that, you will need to disarm our security system before it alerts the police. Please act quickly because the alarm really ticks off the prison guard who lives next door - he's usually sleeping during the day. Our 90lb german shephard will keep you company while you work. If we happen to be home, you will also be greeted by one or more handguns, depending on which one of us is home. We live on a dead end street, so please don't jump the back fence when you leave- our neighbor's all have dogs that are bigger than ours. PS. Please smile for the camera.

Oh my god!!! Are you telling me you are trying to protect yourself instead of letting the poor burglar break in, kill you and your family and steal your stuff? You should get rid of your guns and be completely helpless. How else are the poor suffering burglars going to make a living?

Originally Posted by Virtus

To all potential thieves or intruders of my home:
Please do not waste you time or money with this high-tech crap. Instead you will find that a rock through a window will be more useful. After that, you will need to disarm our security system before it alerts the police. Please act quickly because the alarm really ticks off the prison guard who lives next door - he's usually sleeping during the day. Our 90lb german shephard will keep you company while you work. If we happen to be home, you will also be greeted by one or more handguns, depending on which one of us is home. We live on a dead end street, so please don't jump the back fence when you leave- our neighbor's all have dogs that are bigger than ours. PS. Please smile for the camera.

Wow, sounds like you want someone to break into your house.

Originally Posted by Skizzy

Or just go to Wal-Mart and have one made for $2.50?

The point of this project is to show that somebody can steal your keys and make a copy of them from a picture without having the key itself at any point in time.

Making a key from a picture itself is nothing new. There was that case a few years back were a man was messing around "pretending" to swallow a friends key and accidently swallowed it for real. A locksmith was able to look at the x-ray and make a copy of the key.

Although computer software being able to look at a picture, zoom in and give you a template for any key it sees is definately a new one.

Originally Posted by twatt

Oh my god!!! Are you telling me you are trying to protect yourself instead of letting the poor burglar break in, kill you and your family and steal your stuff? You should get rid of your guns and be completely helpless. How else are the poor suffering burglars going to make a living?

Lol... we're about to elect someone that wants that ...

/end off topic

Of course this only applies to people that actually lock their doors.