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I'd be very curious if this photo process works on "high security" locks such as those from Medeco (my personal choice). Either way, the Medeco locksmith and key-blank policies should afford some protection even if somebody is able to ascertain your key-code from a photo (although, with the multi-angle nature of Medeco locks, this appears somewhat unlikely without having more than the 2 side views that this app requests).

Anybody have any specific info pertaining to "higher security" locks, like the Medeco3?
 
This technology has existed for the past several years... why are you all concerned that, for once, it's not available via a seedy torrent site that's intentionally giving it to thieves, but instead is giving it to the forgetful?

I needed to teleport my key a few months ago and was shocked and disappointed that no app existed for it yet. At least it's here now. (My car ended up getting impounded because I had left it parked at a 2 hour parking for longer than intended... I had roughly an hour from when I discovered I wasn't going to be back in time until it was impounded... I called up the key smith by where my car was parked to see if he could make a key from a picture I would send him and was shocked that he couldn't.)

In any event... most locks are easily compromised by a jump key anyways.
 
This technology has existed for the past several years... why are you all concerned that, for once, it's not available via a seedy torrent site that's intentionally giving it to thieves, but instead is giving it to the forgetful?

I needed to teleport my key a few months ago and was shocked and disappointed that no app existed for it yet. At least it's here now. (My car ended up getting impounded because I had left it parked at a 2 hour parking for longer than intended... I had roughly an hour from when I discovered I wasn't going to be back in time until it was impounded... I called up the key smith by where my car was parked to see if he could make a key from a picture I would send him and was shocked that he couldn't.)

In any event... most locks are easily compromised by a jump key anyways.
I am humbled and embarrassed that I don't know as much as you do about being able to replicate keys by taking a picture of them. If you provide more information about how this has been done for the past several years, I'll probably be equally bothered by that. It's not that being an app makes this scarier.
 
Great! So now I've set up an account with them which required scanning my credit card, which gives them access to by billing address. Then I scan in my house keys.

Predicting a rash of burglaries of Key Me app users in the coming months.
 
Some keys have bitting codes stamped right on them. Not a great thing but even if they don't, it's trivial to figure out if you have physical access to the key, or a picture of one. You can hand-file, or with a machine, create a reference key with all (or enough) bitting codes on it to compare for a particular type of lock/key system. Snapping a photograph of an important key is a pretty standard pen tester's trick that takes only seconds. Even without ever seeing your key, it's trivial to do key impressioning if the attacker has physical access to the lock. In situations where lockpicking is impossible because it would be obvious to observers, an attacker will come back repeatedly, and (starting with a blank one) jiggle a key in the lock to form impressions that can be used over time with repeated filings to create a working key for your lock.

Then there's the fact that most commercially sold locks are absolute rubbish, and easily picked by someone with only moderate skill in the craft. Failing that, an attacker will simply break a window to get inside or force the door. How strong is your door, and door frame? How strong is the glass in your windows?

If this software helps people to realize that keys need to be kept secret just like passwords, then it's done something positive, at least. If anyone wants to really understand physical security, they should take a look into the subject themselves. I recommend the books by Deviant Ollam, particularly Practical Lock Picking and Keys to the Kingdom. The latter book's final chapter "Don't Let Your Keys Talk to Strangers" specifically addresses the issue of photographing keys, among other tricks.

While you're at it, you should also try to learn something of digital encryption as well. The biggest security problems come from people blindly trusting in the products they've bought, without knowing how they actually work (or don't work), and using poor behaviors with regards to security. In other words, many people are clueless, and have no security at all, while under the unfortunate impression that they are completely secure.
 
Security

Perhaps an app like this could require that the user wait 24 hours between taking the first picture of the key and taking the second. Presumably, if you have access to the key for 24 hours, you could just as easily go get a copy made.
 
I wonder if there's a limit to how many different keys you can put on your account? I hoping after a certain amount, your account gets flagged. Just something to make the company think, "Hmm, this person seems a little shady."

On a similar note, what about organizations? Some companies I know of have several different keys. Plus, they might have a growing workforce so need several copies of the same key. Though that begs the question: why do they need so many keys and don't they have a locksmith on staff?
 
Are u kidding? Or getting paid? I want to become a thief today just so I can show u that I DO have access to white paper.

I'd use this for things that I would rather not have extra keys around if I can help it, but would like to have the ability to get a spare because other options would be not optimum. Say, vault/firebox keys, or something similar.

Work would probably like it for the car keys.
 
ummm.. yeeeahhhh... I'm not too worried about someone scanning my keys.

I just tried my house key and car key. Both were VERY sensitive as to how I was holding the phone, plus the LED flash came on. After fussing with that, it said that it was sending the photo to one of their experts to analyze because of strange markings.

I think this will be a great app to have once the scanning bugs are worked out and I have no fear of someone using this for evil. If someone wants your keys, they will get them, even with something as simple of a piece of play-doh.
 
next time you go to some place you have to leave your bag or keys at reception, they could take them, scan them and your car/house/?? keys can be copied.
 
next time you go to some place you have to leave your bag or keys at reception, they could take them, scan them and your car/house/?? keys can be copied.

The same keys can be taken to a DIY store where you can make a key yourself. Lowe's Home Improvement has taken the middle man out and now allow you to make your own keys. So there is little difference. This just makes it easier.
 
I don’t understand why everyone seems so upset about the existence of this app. Thieves have had the technology to duplicate keys for many years. Haven’t you ever seen a movie where someone makes a mold of a key in a brick of clay? That’s actually easier and faster than taking a picture of both sides. And, there’s plenty of shady locksmiths out there more than willing to help out.

Thieves won’t be using this app to duplicate your keys to break into your house. They already have ways of doing that that don’t involve giving credit card information. This just makes it easier for consumers to get a spare key when they need one.
 
What they conveniently forgot to mention in the above ad

I thought it was an idea worth exploring so I installed it and tried a key. I was curious about seeing the key info like in the screen shot above so I clicked to get the info a locksmith would need to cut a new key. Guess what? Costs $9.95 to get what you see in the screen shot. Great.
 
So, what happens when their system gets hacked? Someone has access to your personal information, including address and all I'm guessing... and they know what key they need to ope your front door!

How convenient!:D
 
So, what happens when their system gets hacked? Someone has access to your personal information, including address and all I'm guessing... and they know what key they need to ope your front door!

How convenient!:D

They don't store your address - it's deleted as soon as your key ships.

Besides the app specifically states if you are having a key shipped - ship it to a friend or someone else that does not live at your home address.

Placed a order and my key should arrive sometime early next week. I'm curious how well it will work.
 
The app includes features such as the ability for users to scan in virtualized photos of keys on their phone using the camera, as well data storage of specific house key characteristics to make locksmith replication easier. KeyMe also gives users the ability to place mail orders for spare keys through the app and to share digital copies of keys with others.

To add to the concerns about this in comments above me:

1. You can keep photos of your keys on your phone. If someone would be able to access your phone, that person would then have both your address AND your key.
So, if your iPhone goes missing please remember to call a locksmith...

2. You can share digital keys with others. I do hope that that service is bullet proof and people using this app won't find themselves having shared their keys with burglars...
 
C'mon MR..This is just a commercial poorly disguised as a news story. And it's not a free app. Try $10 if u want what's in the SS at the top of article.
 
If you're all convinced a key is going to prevent someone from breaking into your house then you're in for a reality check if it ever happens to you. I get the concerns this brings, but seriously... Locks are only a deterrent.

Also, who is going to wait for a copy to be mailed to them if they lose their key??
 
This is a crazy cool idea. I wonder how accurate the keys are.

Or they could drive to the address of your home with they key you sent them and rob you blind.
 
At first, there were many many concerns...but after some time analyzing the possible outcome versus other possible methods available.. my only reasonable and realistic concern would be the potential of abuse of replicating "shift keys" that are signed out during work shifts and returned after your shift completes--- and if something would be missing or unaccounted for during a shift, the person who had signed out the keys would be held liable---but perhaps a coworker signed them out a day before you, took a scan during his shift where he had possession of the key, and stole something in the lockup while you were in possession of these keys some time later?

The capabilities that the KeyMe app provides raises concerns of all the potential room for abuse—and has caused most of us to think of possible scenarios on the extreme-end.

I am not totally for or against what this company provides, but just really playing the devils advocate here and brainstorming to one self both sides of the argument on its the service's safety and security to the general public.

For my initial scenario, it's possible that this could very likely occur, but that raises other questions for the business:
- If a business possesses valuable assets on a property, and is accessible, should invest in other forms of security, and do their due dilligence to protect it's employees of breached access and misuse, rather than relying on a name on a sheet of paper and a technology as outdated as a simple key to protect it's valuable assets. it would be an unfortunate way for a company to learn a lesson from.

Keys and locks may deter off or slow down your amateur pocket pickers from opportunity theft; those who know what they're doing and is determined to Rob you will find the means to do so, with or without KeyMe--though why make a copy of a key when they could easily save time and a possible paper trail by just robbing you?

Also, just FYI, these only work for home/office and not for automobiles.

I just also wanted to mention that work keys are often bigger with more advance levels of grooves, but I scanned the same key 8x and all failed to successfully scan because the scan looks "strange" --- and this is your simple front door key btw.

Just remember how everyone freaked out about NFC and credit cards ...here we are, years later down the road, and all the identity thieves I've caught were all those using stolen information by professional methods or brute force.

Regardless of what technology arises beyond the approaching horizon for us, it would never become a more preferred method over the traditional ways. If you are just even a bit concerned that a person may want to hurt you, and take everything from you, then I hope you are doing more ...perhaps..more ...modern...than rely on a piece or chiseled metal to ensure all your belongings remain yours.
 
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