In another thread it has been mentioned repeatedly that a security cable can be easily picked with a thin piece of cardboard, as demonstrated in this video.
However, I have yet to see anyone demonstrate and anyone else confirm that a Kensington-brand lock can be easily defeated.
I have tried it repeatedly and could not get the lock to turn. See the notch on the lock in this picture? That's a Kensington lock. As far as I can tell, to activate the lock, you need something in that notch, sticking up into the innards of the lock. A piece of cardboard cannot do that. Also, I am pretty sure that you can't just push all the tumblers (or whatever those little bars inside the lock are called) down: they need to be held at exactly the right height, and that is different for each tumbler on each lock.
Also, I'm not looking for more videos. Those are easy to fake, and usually are not about Kensingtons (note that the above video never shows the lock mechanism itself). Tell me if you have been able to defeat a Kensington lock, or at least if you have seen it done in person.
After all, why do vending machine companies feel safe securing their cashbox with similar lock mechanisms if they are so easily picked? If that were the case, I couldn't imagine that there would be any vending machines on any campus.
I'm not saying it is not possible. But I have yet to see actual proof, nor have my limited tests had any success. Anyone know otherwise?
P.S. As for the usefulness of locking cables, let me just preempt that as well. No, a security cable is not for leaving your laptop unattended in the middle of Central Park for a week. It is for temporarily securing a piece of hardware such that a thief of opportunity can't just walk off with it. Basically, it's function is to require that a thief:
However, I have yet to see anyone demonstrate and anyone else confirm that a Kensington-brand lock can be easily defeated.
I have tried it repeatedly and could not get the lock to turn. See the notch on the lock in this picture? That's a Kensington lock. As far as I can tell, to activate the lock, you need something in that notch, sticking up into the innards of the lock. A piece of cardboard cannot do that. Also, I am pretty sure that you can't just push all the tumblers (or whatever those little bars inside the lock are called) down: they need to be held at exactly the right height, and that is different for each tumbler on each lock.
Also, I'm not looking for more videos. Those are easy to fake, and usually are not about Kensingtons (note that the above video never shows the lock mechanism itself). Tell me if you have been able to defeat a Kensington lock, or at least if you have seen it done in person.
After all, why do vending machine companies feel safe securing their cashbox with similar lock mechanisms if they are so easily picked? If that were the case, I couldn't imagine that there would be any vending machines on any campus.
I'm not saying it is not possible. But I have yet to see actual proof, nor have my limited tests had any success. Anyone know otherwise?
P.S. As for the usefulness of locking cables, let me just preempt that as well. No, a security cable is not for leaving your laptop unattended in the middle of Central Park for a week. It is for temporarily securing a piece of hardware such that a thief of opportunity can't just walk off with it. Basically, it's function is to require that a thief:
- have to be prepared with tools
- have know-how to defeat the lock
- have to make a spectacle of themselves while they steal it
- have to take some time doing it
- have to damage the slot or otherwise make it evident that the hardware was stolen
Google it.
