A Picture of Your Key is Enough to Make a Working Copy.
Did you know a quick snapshot of your keys could leave your home or business vulnerable to unauthorized entry? At Able Locksmiths, LLC, we want our residential and commercial customers to stay informed about modern threats, including the lesser-known risk of key duplication from a photograph.
How Does a Photo Become a Working Key?
Today, advanced technology makes it surprisingly simple for someone to duplicate your keys just from a clear picture:
- Taking the Picture:
Anyone with a smartphone camera can easily capture a high-resolution image of your key. Common scenarios include:- Social media posts showing keys unintentionally.
- Keys left visible in public or at social events.
- Real estate or rental listing photos.
- Analyzing the Key:
Once photographed, specialized software can decode your key’s unique cut pattern (known as “bitting”). Services and apps readily available online and at retail kiosks can precisely measure the cuts from a clear image. - Creating the Duplicate:
With the decoded information, a locksmith kiosk, mail-order duplication service, or even a 3D printer can easily fabricate a working duplicate key.
Real-Life Examples of This Risk:
- Retail kiosks and mail-order services frequently advertise key duplication directly from photos—often without needing proof of authorization.
- Online apps and services openly accept uploaded images to create functional copies of various keys, including those marked “Do Not Duplicate.”
Scenarios That Increase Your Risk:
- Posting images of keys on social media.
- Leaving keys visible on desks or counters.
- Public events or conferences where keys might be photographed unintentionally.
- Real estate or rental listings that inadvertently showcase keys.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
Able Locksmiths, LLC recommends the following preventive measures to safeguard your security:
- Keep Keys Concealed: Always store keys in secure locations out of public view. Use key covers or sleeves to obscure the key’s cuts.
- Invest in High-Security Keys: Consider patented key systems like Medeco, available through Able Locksmiths, LLC, which restrict duplication without authorized verification.
- Awareness and Education: Train family members and employees about the risks associated with exposing keys publicly.
- Monitor Social Media: Regularly check photos shared online by you, your family, or employees, and remove or request deletion of any images that unintentionally display keys.
Stay Vigilant, Stay Secure
Your keys are as valuable as passwords—protect them with equal caution. At Able Locksmiths, LLC, we’re committed to ensuring your safety by providing robust security solutions and the knowledge to protect yourself effectively.
Contact us today to learn more about how to enhance your security:
Able Locksmiths, LLC
Serving Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Southern Pennsylvania since 1979.
