Lock Bumping from Denmark

A relatively new security problem is the threat of lock bumping , in which someone with a ‘bump key’ can open most locks that are commonly used in homes.

In the 1970s, locksmiths in Denmark shared a technique for knocking on a lock cylinder while applying slight pressure to the back of the lock plug. When the pins would jump inside of the cylinder, the plug would be able to slide out freely, thus enabling the locksmith to disassemble the lock quickly.

Lock bumping also called key bumping or bump keys is a lock picking technique used to unlock standard pin tumbler cylinders with a bump key.

The bumping method could be misused by criminals to gain unlawful access with a bump key and is a growing problem globally. Bumping attacks are becoming widespread in international media as bump keys can be used to unlock most standard residential cylinder locks which are not bump resistant.

Most homes for sale use standard cylinder locks which are vulnerable to lock bumping.

The bumping method is non-destructive. When a bump key is used to break into a house there may be no signs of forced entry or damage to the lock.

The bumping method has become common knowledge through media reports & popularity on the internet.

Conveneience Store Mobile coupon usage jumped in 2015, according to Koupon Media’s recently released 2016 State of the Mobile Coupon Industry report. The report affirms the growing trend reported by eMarketer that the number of consumers in the U.S. who used a mobile coupon in 2015 grew 18% to 92.6 million. The data found in the report also points to the rise of convenience store mobile coupons in mobile marketing:

• 42% of mobile users have used a mobile coupon
• 39% of customers spend more if they receive a personalized coupon
• 60% of customers would adopt mobile payments if offered coupons

Consumers are using their smartphones more while they’re shopping, and mobile coupon usage is growing as a result, said Bill Ogle, CEO of Koupon Media, in a press release. “In 2015 we doubled the number of coupons delivered on our platform. The fact is mobile coupons are easier to use than paper or print-at-home coupons and more retailers accept them than ever before. It won’t be long before the mobile coupon outpaces paper coupons altogether.”

The redemption data in the report focuses on convenience store coupons, a vertical that is showing some of the largest growth in all of retail. Data in the report points to energy drinks, soda and juice as the highest redeeming categories for mobile coupons.