Comments on: Picking Computer Case Locks http://www.command-tab.com/2006/02/06/picking-computer-case-locks/ Technology and Mac geekery. One part exuberance, two parts obsession. Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:42:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jaron Brass http://www.command-tab.com/2006/02/06/picking-computer-case-locks/#comment-11088 Jaron Brass Tue, 14 Feb 2006 06:29:12 +0000 http://www.command-tab.com/?p=256#comment-11088 Nothing is easier to open than the 'locks' on Apple's server hardware. The Xserve and Xserve RAID use a hex-shaped lock and key to 'secure' the machine, and prevent the drives from being ejected, the case from being opened, or local USB keyboard access. In a recent situation at my office, our Xserves and RAIDs were locked (for some reason), and nobody knew where the original keys were. A simple trip to my toolkit found the right size hex bit, and presto! No more lock. Granted, a day later I found the originals. I'm not so sure how secure Apple ever intended the locks to be, or whether they're designed to just look nicer than the type of lock Collin described. Whatever the case, the physical security is laughable. And, as I've witnessed countless times, an accidental 'bump' against the drive enclosures (when unlocked) will dismount and eject them, generally bringing the server down with it. Nothing is easier to open than the ‘locks’ on Apple’s server hardware. The Xserve and Xserve RAID use a hex-shaped lock and key to ’secure’ the machine, and prevent the drives from being ejected, the case from being opened, or local USB keyboard access. In a recent situation at my office, our Xserves and RAIDs were locked (for some reason), and nobody knew where the original keys were. A simple trip to my toolkit found the right size hex bit, and presto! No more lock. Granted, a day later I found the originals.

I’m not so sure how secure Apple ever intended the locks to be, or whether they’re designed to just look nicer than the type of lock Collin described. Whatever the case, the physical security is laughable. And, as I’ve witnessed countless times, an accidental ‘bump’ against the drive enclosures (when unlocked) will dismount and eject them, generally bringing the server down with it.

]]> By: Max http://www.command-tab.com/2006/02/06/picking-computer-case-locks/#comment-10827 Max Sat, 11 Feb 2006 19:34:12 +0000 http://www.command-tab.com/?p=256#comment-10827 Yes, I believe the open end of a cheap ball point pen works too. Yes, I believe the open end of a cheap ball point pen works too.

]]> By: l008com http://www.command-tab.com/2006/02/06/picking-computer-case-locks/#comment-10633 l008com Fri, 10 Feb 2006 12:37:27 +0000 http://www.command-tab.com/?p=256#comment-10633 Nice to know these locks are useless and I'd need to use something different if I wanted to really secure a computer. Nice to know these locks are useless and I’d need to use something different if I wanted to really secure a computer.

]]> By: Brian Meade http://www.command-tab.com/2006/02/06/picking-computer-case-locks/#comment-10385 Brian Meade Tue, 07 Feb 2006 15:00:24 +0000 http://www.command-tab.com/?p=256#comment-10385 I know this is a computing website, but there is a much easier way to disable those locks: use a bic pen. About two years ago there was a big uproar among bike owners because someone discovered, and posted a video to his website, that this was possible. All you need to do is get a bic pen, the solid white ones, not the clear ones, and remove everything but the tubing. You then just jam it into the lock (they are very, very close to the same diameter) and work it in a bit so the plastic conforms to the pins, and turn. WARNING: you can ruin the lock (I did). I tried it on my lock, and to my dismay it worked, and I needed to buy a new lock. http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/daily-news/article.php?id=4637 I know this is a computing website, but there is a much easier way to disable those locks: use a bic pen. About two years ago there was a big uproar among bike owners because someone discovered, and posted a video to his website, that this was possible.

All you need to do is get a bic pen, the solid white ones, not the clear ones, and remove everything but the tubing. You then just jam it into the lock (they are very, very close to the same diameter) and work it in a bit so the plastic conforms to the pins, and turn. WARNING: you can ruin the lock (I did).

I tried it on my lock, and to my dismay it worked, and I needed to buy a new lock.

http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/daily-news/article.php?id=4637

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