How I Rob Banks

Chapter 45How to Bypass Keypads

I thought I'd include a quick chapter on bypassing keypads. I see these almost daily, and there is never a job that happens without me finding one that is being used to secure a door.

Like all security mechanisms, keypads vary from really nice to “OMG, I can't believe you bought that.” They also range from purely mechanical to sophisticated electronics. But it often comes down to how they are installed more than the device itself. Keypads can offer some protection against attacks but are frequently installed poorly, are of cheap quality, or are easy to bypass.

Before we get too far, I want to share a photograph of a poor example of a keypad.

 

Here, as you can see, the whole thing has been subverted by someone writing the code on the wall.

These types of mechanical pads can be bypassed most of the time using a rare-earth magnet run along the side. In fact, many locks can be bypassed using strong magnets. But keypads of all types have another, more intrinsic flaw: brute forcing.

My local gym, for example, has keypads on the lockers. They are a mix of digital and mechanical buttons, but they all use the same type of code. Press the clear button, enter four digits, and then press the Lock button. To unlock the locker, press the clear button, enter the same four digits, and then press Unlock.

Four digits. That's all. Keypad systems rarely use more ...