The best way to prevent a lock from being picked is to purchase a pick-proof lock or install an access control system that utilizes electronic door locking technology and other security features.
To keep them off, trim any overgrown bushes, shrubs, or trees in your yard, near windows, doors, and other entry points. Temporary lock guards: Products such as flip guards will prevent bumping by firmly holding the deadbolt and the existing lock in place, even when a burglar tries to pick your lock.
You certainly can use WD-40 in a lock, but you shouldn't. Almost all locks are designed and fabricated to operate without lubrication. If you add an oil or grease to them, that will serve to collect dust and dirt and increase wear on the lock, encouraging it to jam up.
Conclusion: The Fine Line of Lockpicking legality
The line between legal and illegal lockpicking is often thin and based on intent. While possessing lockpicking tools is widely legal, using them responsibly and ethically is crucial.
Consider using a portable door lock, which can be installed without any tools. These locks typically work by sliding into the existing door latch and providing an additional layer of security. A door jammer or security bar can be placed at the bottom of the door to prevent it from being opened.
Abloy Protec2 PL 330 Padlock
It is one of the only locks in the world that has never been picked. It has a hardened boron alloy steel shackle to provide resistance to bolt cutters (but is not bolt cutter proof). The padlock body is brass and the shackle and body are chrome plated, so it is very rust-resistant.
Key takeaways
Although locks can be made highly pick-resistant, no lock is entirely pick-proof, making additional security measures like access control systems ideal for protection.
While learning, an unskilled person using the best lock-picking tools can still cause irreversible damage to the lock. This is the reason many people consider lockpicking to be unsafe. When done incorrectly you can damage your lock so severely that it will require a complete lock replacement.
Teflon-based Lubricants
Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, is a Teflon-based lubricant that dries inside the lock to leave behind a non-stick, water-repellent film on all the surfaces. Since it's dry, it doesn't attract dust or dirt.
One of the top issues with locks and keys occurs when dust and dirt begin collecting inside of a lock cylinder. When this happens, pins can get stuck, which prevents the plug from being able to turn correctly.
Burglars Don't Use Lock Picking
Indeed, some burglars developed this skill perfectly, but they usually prefer other intrusion methods. To Pick a lock can take too long and requires lots of previous training. Your door lock type could spoil the whole operation if a thief isn't properly prepared.
Deadbolts, however, are still vulnerable to lock picking. Pin and tumbler locks are the most common designs in use today. These locks use a series of small, spring-loaded pins to keep the cylinder from turning.
Install Motion Lights
A burglar may not even attempt to pick or bump your locks if they're unable to do so under the cover of darkness. By installing outdoor lights that automatically turn on when they detect motion, you can scare off any lock-pickers before they even reach your door.
You can pick most standard pin tumbler locks with a bobby pin, but some locks feature more complex mechanisms. High-security locks often use additional security measures like spool pins to make picking more challenging.
Medeco M4:
The angled cuts interact with angled cuts on the pins, resulting in a complex mechanism that requires precise alignment for successful operation. The Medeco M4's combination of advanced design, hardened materials, and intricate key control mechanisms make it one of the most challenging locks to pick.
A Bramah key is made of stainless steel and has a round appearance with a crown on the top with a nib to one side. Each key comes with a protective cap to keep lint and dust from accumulating in the centre or in the cuts - both of which must be kept clear of dirt at all times.
Bilock is a high-security keying system designed and manufactured by Australian Lock Company. It is advertised to be bump-proof, pick-resistant, and drill-resistant. The Bilock cylinder uses a patented locking system with two sidebars, 12 pins, and 12 springs.
Stuff a sock into the gap between the door and the frame to create a temporary lock. Doing so creates enough friction to hold the door in place. While this method is not the most secure, it can be a quick and easy way to add some resistance to a door that needs a lock.
A keyhole lock (which is a small cylinder lock) is inserted, and locked, into the keyhole of a door lock, after it has been locked. This prevents anyone from opening, or attempting to open, the door lock and can only take place once the keyhole lock is removed.