HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: Larry Margolis <margoli@watson.ibm.com>
Subject: Re: POSTING FROM  FBI.GOV
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 22:45:58 GMT
Reply-To: margoli@watson.ibm.com
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: The Village Waterbed

In  <1992Apr10.194937.27059@u.washington.edu>  birnbaum@math.washington.edu (Z.W. Birnbaum) writes:
>      A while ago when somebody posted something
>      which looked like coming from the domain   fbi.gov
>      margolis@watson.ibm.com  said something like
>      it could be easy to detect who was using a fake
>      identity to post news.

No, I said that if you're a large government agency keeping track of all the
traffic going over Internet, it's easy.  I didn't say that it was easy (or
even possible) for you or I.

Larry Margolis, MARGOLI@YKTVMV (Bitnet), margoli@watson.IBM.com (Internet)
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
From: tjk5@po.CWRU.Edu (Timothy J. Kordas)
Subject: Re: The National Locksmith - Magazine
Reply-To: tjk5@po.CWRU.Edu (Timothy J. Kordas)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 92 15:03:08 GMT


In a previous article, mccaugha@hydra1a.cs.utk.edu (William Douglas  Doug ) - The Juggler  me ) McCaughan) says:

>In article <1992Apr7.184430.16987@abekas.uucp>, mark@abekas.uucp (Mark Andrews) writes:
>[deleted stuff..]
>|> notice from your employer on your business stationary, a business card, or
                          				^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

>I understand that there are people who would misuse and abuse such information
>as I can guess would be in such a magazine. However, it is sad that it is so
>difficult for a person with a legitimate0 curiosity to get access to good
>information.

I forget exactly how much business cards cost, but they're around $30
for a bunch that say whatever you want them to...So as long as you DO
have a legitimate interest (I would qualify curiosity as good enough)
send the magazine a business card detailing your interest...Don't lie on
it...I imagine that as long as you make yourself look like you actually
are interested in the Locksmithing trade that they'd send you their
magazine, after all they provide a service to those who pay their $32
fee :-)....
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
From: Larry Margolis <margoli@watson.ibm.com>
Subject: Re: O.K...back to lockpicking.
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 00:27:15 GMT
Reply-To: margoli@watson.ibm.com
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: The Village Waterbed

In  <1992Apr14.202535.16532@dartvax.dartmouth.edu>  haljibur@coos.dartmouth.edu (Halim F. Aljibury) writes:
>
> umm...What I was really trying to show in the key I drew were the positioning
> of the flat spots..If what you mean by a shoulder stop is an abrupt vertical
> jag from the shank of the key to the part where you hold it:
>
>
> -----\
>       \
>        |_________
> like that, then yes, there was a shoulder stop.

Then it sounds like it was *not* a Best.  How about a brand name?
       ______
      /      \____                         <-- Standard key has the
     /           |___________________          shoulder at the bow;
    /                                \         the key is inserted in
    \           _____________________/         the lock until the
     \         /                               shoulder hits the face
      \_______/                                of the cylinder.


       ______
      /      \
     /        \______________________
    /                               _\
    \           ___________________|       <-- Best key has the shoulder
     \         /                               at the tip; key is inserted
      \_______/                                until the shoulder hits a
                                               stop at the back of the core.


Larry Margolis, MARGOLI@YKTVMV (Bitnet), margoli@watson.IBM.com (Internet)
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
From: conaway@cis.ohio-state.edu (jason william conaway)
Subject: Re: interest.. combination locks.
Originator: conaway@penguin.cis.ohio-state.edu
Organization: The Ohio State University, Department of Computer and Information Science
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 15:35:24 GMT

Re: interest.. combination locks.

I have personally opened many MasterLock combination locks (they really should
be called "permutation" locks). The two methods I use are simple and quick. The
methods are as follows:

1) Use toenail clippers or some other small clipping tool and make two cuts in
the metal lip on the back side on the lock. The cuts should be about a 1 cm 
apart. Then, bend back the lip between the cuts. Proceed to bend back the 
rest of the lip around the entire back side of the lock. Once this is
accomplished, the back of the lock will litterally fall off. Now you can see
exactly what your doing. Turn the dial until all the slots line up and BINGO!
(BTW, My record is 20 seconds.)

2) This method is less destructive so you can still use the lock afterwards.
Take a small sharp metal punch (a good nail will do), and puch a hole in the
back metal plate of the lock. The hole should be located on the upper left
side (viewed from the back). Make the hole big enough so you can see the disks.
Now, turn the dial, line up the slots and open 'er up.

I once forgot the combination to one of my locks, so I used the second method
to unlock it. Instead of buying a new one, I just put masking tape on the back
to cover the hole (and the entire backside). Then I wrote my name on the tape
so it looks like the only reason for the tape is for labling. No one realizes
that all they have to do to open my lock is to peel back the tape,look inside,
and dial away.

Hammering a lock straight down will do one of several things(depending on the
construction of the lock). In my experience, a hammered locks open because the
permutation disks inside are made of a soft metal and they get dented to the
extent that they now have "new" slots. Sometimes though, they just break the
post that the disks are on or the post that the latch is on.

If I want real security, though, I use a permutation lock encased in solid 
steel with hardened permutation disks. 

Jason W. Conaway
The Artist at Large
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
Subject: Reading List
From: mccaslan@duncan.utkcs2 (a dancing marSUPial)
Date: 8 Apr 92 10:53:59
Distribution: alt.locksmithing
Organization: /blue/homes/mccaslan/.organization
NNTP-Posting-Host: duncan.cs.utk.edu

Ok, i'm certain that this is probably a lost cause as i'm certain a good
amount of the best information on locksmithing is either unaccessable
by the non-apprenticed individual or only available by work of mouth,
BUT  does anyone out there have suggestions on what are good books
to read on the subject of locksmithing?
if i get a number of responses i will compile and repost.
Thank you,
don mccasland		mccaslan@cs.utk.edu
From: mccaugha@hydra1a.cs.utk.edu (William Douglas ( Doug ) - The Juggler ( me ) McCaughan)
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
Subject: Re: The National Locksmith - Magazine
Date: 8 Apr 92 05:55:44 GMT
Organization: Computer Science Dept, University of Tennesee, Knoxville
Distribution: world
Reply-To: mccaugha@hydra1a.cs.utk.edu (William Douglas ( Doug ) - The Juggler ( me ) McCaughan)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hydra1a.cs.utk.edu

In article <1992Apr7.184430.16987@abekas.uucp>, mark@abekas.uucp (Mark Andrews) writes:
[deleted stuff..]
|> As of the December '91 issue subscription was $32, for one year (in the US)
|> but the the application requires business identification, this is defined
|> as ....
|> 
|> "Each National Locksmith subscriber must provide proof that he is actively
|> engaged in the locksmithing business. This is in cooperation with law
|> enforcement agencies across the US. A police affadavit, license, written
|> notice from your employer on your business stationary, a business card, or
|> copy of your bond or I.D. number will qualify"

I understand that there are people who would misuse and abuse such information
as I can guess would be in such a magazine. However, it is sad that it is so
difficult for a person with a ligitimate curiousity to get access to good
information.

|> -- 
|> Mark Andrews
|> abekas!mark@pyramid.com
|> 

-- 
...doug <mccaugha@cs.utk.edu> USA    | The past 22 years have been a |
                                     | helluva trip, but honestly, I |
                                     | am ready to come down now...  |



Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
From: carl@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU (Carl J Lydick)
Subject: Re: Mushroom pins
Reply-To: carl@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU
Organization: HST Wide Field/Planetary Camera
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1992 21:25:37 GMT

In article <1992Apr14.165823.29478@cs.yale.edu>, yarvin-norman@CS.YALE.EDU (Norman Yarvin) writes:
>I wondered one time if it was possible to, by applying enough force, just
>shear the pins of a pin tumbler lock apart.  The pins, I reasoned, are made
>of brass, which is softer than steel.  But when I tried it, it didn't work.
>The pins had enough strength to not be sheared.  Though I didn't really do
>the test properly which would mean forcing until something broke.  I don't
>think it would work, just considering the size of the pins and the size of
>the cylinder.

It would work.  The campus locksmith shop has what those of us who have seen it
in action refer to as the "B&G master."  It's a two-foot piece of metal with a
piece of steel thin enough to fit into a keyway, but still pretty damned strong
welded onto the end of it.  Insert it into the keyway and twist, and the lock's
open.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl J Lydick | INTERnet: CARL@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU | NSI/HEPnet: SOL1::CARL

Disclaimer:  Hey, I understand VAXes and VMS.  That's what I get paid for.  My
understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or below).  So
unless what I'm saying is directly related to VAX/VMS, don't hold me or my
organization responsible for it.  If it IS related to VAX/VMS, you can try to
hold me responsible for it, but my organization had nothing to do with it.
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
From: jdg41088@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Pickaxe)
Subject: Need information on entry system
Keywords: locks,security
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 19:25:01 GMT

I'm not a regular on this newsgroup and I don't know how serious the discussion
on this group is. I've got a problem related to the security of my fraternity.
Our current system employs a front door lock with a five-button combination.
This works fine as long as the only people who know the combination are members
of the fraternity. What ends up happening is other people get the combo, either
by seeing one of type it in or some guy will tell his girlfriend and then not
soon thereafter everyone in her house will know our combo. It's no big secret
that combinations are not secure, that's why I'm looking for alternatives.

We've had several break-ins during the night when most people are asleep.
We have an alarm system but it's only used during breaks. I've considered going
to a key lock system but the problem is that keys can be copied and if a key is
lost then it would cost a lot of money to replace seventy keys and the lock
pins too. 
I've thought of a
system that employs a card reader lock. I know that this would be ideal if the
cost would allow it. We would distribute cards to all the members and each card
would have a number stamped on it. We would keep track of the numbers and if
one was lost then we would easily be able to reprogram all the cards.  I would
appreciate if people could send me any information that they have on this type
of system such as models, cost, and suppliers.

Also, if you have an alternative to my method, then please let me know.  Please
mail replies directly.

Thanks in advance,

-- 
+-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+
| Joe Gross          |  Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| pickaxe@uiuc.edu   |  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign        |
+--------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
From: Larry Margolis <margoli@watson.ibm.com>
Subject: Re: O.K...back to lockpicking.
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 18:20:06 GMT
Reply-To: margoli@watson.ibm.com
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: The Village Waterbed

In  <MCCASLAN.92Apr15094925@hydra2a.cs.utk.edu>  mccaslan@hydra2a.cs.utk.edu (a dancing marSUPial) writes:
> i've heard things like this can be handled by 'reverse picking'
> i.e. you push all the pins up as high as they'll go and cinch them
> with the tension wrench, then slowly rake the pin in question whilst
> letting up on the wrench ever so slightly..
> hmmmm, there's something wrong with that idea, but i can't figure out
> what it is..

With a hook pick, you'll be able to press up on each pin and feel the
difference.  When you have a spool pin caught across the shear line,
gentle upward pressure will result in force in the opposite direction
of the way you're turning.  Determine which pins are spool pins and
push up until the bottom of the pin (assuming it's a top pin) crosses
the shear line.  You might lose some previously picked pins, but just
pick them again.  (See my previous posts regarding picking order.)

Larry Margolis, MARGOLI@YKTVMV (Bitnet), margoli@watson.IBM.com (Internet)
From: technews@iitmax.iit.edu (Kevin Kadow)
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
Subject: Re: interest.. combination locks.
Date: 9 Apr 92 00:14:56 GMT
Organization: Technology News, IIT, Chicago, IL

In article <MCCASLAN.92Apr6225943@duncan.utkcs2> mccaslan@duncan.utkcs2 (a dancing marSUPial) writes:
)
)anyhow, i'm also interested in where to obtain picks or for
)that matter what metal is best to make picks out of...how springy
)should it be?  how stiff?  obviously, if springy then it has to
)have a good memory, i.e. shouldn't stay bent.  
)and would someone describe to me how in the world to build
)a plug spinner???
)don mccasland		a dancing masupial

Speaking of lock picks and memory, has anybody considered making picks out
of "memory wire"? It's thin black cable which can "remember" it's shape,
and which will forcibly resume it when brought below a predetermined
temperature.

If it's heated up to around 180+ F, it can be bent into a new shape which
it will remember.

On a similar subject, what's the best way to harden steel for use as a
pick? obviously it has to have some give to it, but the flat spring steel
I have is too soft to be used.

-- 
   The number of people watching you is inversely proportionally
       to the heroic dignity and selflessness of your actions.

technews@iitmax.iit.edu                           kadokev@harpo.iit.edu
                         My Employer Disagrees.
From: mccaugha@duncan.cs.utk.edu (William Douglas ( Doug ) - The Juggler ( me ) McCaughan)
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
Subject: Re: The National Locksmith - Magazine
Date: 12 Apr 92 23:57:01 GMT
Reply-To: mccaugha@duncan.cs.utk.edu (William Douglas ( Doug ) - The Juggler ( me ) McCaughan)
Organization: Computer Science Dept, University of Tennesee, Knoxville
NNTP-Posting-Host: duncan.cs.utk.edu

In article <1992Apr9.160956.1578@cubetech.com>, andrew@cubetech.com (Andrew Loewenstern) writes:
[stuff deleted..]
|> How hard is it to crank out a business card on a laser printer?

I guess I am a bit more honest than that (or a bit nervous about falsely
representing myself).

|> andrew
|> -- 
|> andrew@cubetech.com
|> Andrew Loewenstern            |  "listen: there's a hell of a good universe
|> Cube Technologies, Inc.       |   next door; let's go." --- e.e. cummings

-- 
...doug <mccaugha@cs.utk.edu> USA    | The past 22 years have been a |
                                     | helluva trip, but honestly, I |
                                     | am ready to come down now...  |
From: haljibur@coos.dartmouth.edu (Halim F. Aljibury)
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
Subject: O.K...back to lockpicking.
Summary: failed attempt
Keywords: couldn't, why?
Date: 12 Apr 92 21:19:28 GMT
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

O.k....here's the situation.  I was down at Yale for the weekend, and through
a combination of several oversights by the people who invited us, rooms were
in very short supply.  The guy who I was supposed to sleep with was out partying
and wouldn't be back till 3 in the morning...I couldn't wait that long, 
because I had a tournament tomorrow.  So what it came down to, was that I had
to try to pick the door lock to get a place to sleep.(don't worry, the rest
of the residents in the floor asked me to).  The lock seemed to be a normal
door lock, so I just whipped out my handy swiss army knife (corkscrew) and 
a piece of roller-bound notebook wire.  I know that I got at least four pins
at one point (I could hear them when I slipped), but was unable to pick the 
lock.

I looked closer at the type of key that fit in the lock (one of the guys let 
me look at his) and (get ready for some ASCII art)

_______/\__/\___/\_
                   \-\
                      -\
o.k. the short dashes near the end of the (attempted) key are supposed to be 
really short flat spots, and I really doubt that any pins would fit there. I
then looked at the lock again, and there were 2 concentric rings at the back 
of the lock that seemed to be on springs.  My question is:

Are the concentric rings some sort of sophisticated lockpicking prevention 
device?

Could they just prevent the key from killing the lock by softening the blow when
it hits the back?

are the short flat spaces on the end of the key just simply worn into it by 
hitting the rings at the back of the lock?

-Merlin@Dartmouth.edu-
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
From: mycroft@hal.gnu.ai.mit.edu (Charles Hannum)
Subject: Re: Explosives...  Ammonium Triiodide
Organization: None.  Utter chaos.
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1992 06:41:30 GMT


> Hey guys, can anyone post the way to easily make this ammonium
> triiodide?  you know, with simple home-type ingredients...
>
> I'd like to try it on a FRIEND!

This is *not* funny.  Nitrogen triiodide is *very* dangerous and *very*
volatile.  Even if you don't blow off parts of your body making it,
you'll have loads of fun when you breathe iodine vapors.

You can't even make large quantities of the stuff, because it will
explode due to its own weight as it dries, spewing toxic fumes.

My best recommendation is to forget about it.  Learn some chemistry if
you like, but be careful.
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
From: Larry Margolis <margoli@watson.ibm.com>
Subject: Re: O.K...back to lockpicking.
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 1992 23:50:30 GMT
Reply-To: margoli@watson.IBM.com
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: The Village Waterbed

It would really help if you could supply a brand name, either from the
face of the cylinder or from the bow of the key (if an original; if a
copy then the identifying letters &/ornumbers as well).

Larry Margolis, MARGOLI@YKTVMV (Bitnet), margoli@watson.IBM.com (Internet)
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
From: kludge@grissom.larc.nasa.gov ( Scott Dorsey)
Subject: Re: pop cans
Organization: NASA Langley Research Center And Storm Door Company
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 18:49:54 GMT

In article <ctmj3_m.allyn@netcom.com> allyn@netcom.com (Mark Allyn) writes:
>   All this about stealing pop from a machine - - why bother stealing that
>   stuff? That stuff is bad for you. It's nothing but sugar and other goodies
>   that disolve teeth and pennies. Wasn't there something a while ago about
>   a can of coke being able to disolve a penny??

That's true.  I bet if you soaked the machine in Coca-Cola for a few months.
it would dissolve the outside cabinet enough that the cans could be removed.
--scott
From: fadden@uts.amdahl.com (Andy McFadden)
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
Subject: Re: Dye marker fire alarms?
Date: 16 Apr 92 23:14:07 GMT
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

In article <BROWN.92Apr16153341@galoob.cs.utk.edu> brown@cs.utk.edu (Lance A. Brown) writes:
>Aye, but if everyone on campus KNOWS that somebody has tripped a trapped
>alarm, it is difficult to hide yourself with a purple hand.  Once or twice
>should be all it takes to catch the perpetrator.

We had a real problem at UCB once... seems some protestor types decided to
gather student support by pulling fire alarms during classes and putting
stink bombs in hallways (no, it doesn't make sense, nor does squirting crazy
glue into locks, which they also did).  Would've been nice to have been able
to spot the yo-yos who kept pulling the alarms.

Of course, I nearly pulled one myself.  Seems the protestor group was going
to have this big meeting one night...

>Lance A. Brown  <brown@cs.utk.edu>

-- 
fadden@uts.amdahl.com (Andy McFadden)
[ Above opinions are mine, Amdahl has nothing to do with them, etc, etc. ]
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
From: birnbaum@math.washington.edu (Z.W. Birnbaum)
Subject:        POSTING FROM  FBI.GOV
Originator: birnbaum@frobenius.math.washington.edu
Organization: University of Washington, Mathematics, Seattle
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 19:49:37 GMT

	A while ago when somebody posted something
	which looked like coming from the domain   fbi.gov
	margolis@watson.ibm.com  said something like
	it could be easy to detect who was using a fake
	identity to post news.
	I disagree, it is quite easy to fake the sender
	of news or mail in an untraceable way. 
	One has to connect to the correct
	port of a machine,  and to do that  one does NOT 
	need an account  in any machine.   You just need
	to use a terminal connected to a local network
	and telnet the news port or mail port of  a machine
	in the local network or if the server allows it
	anywhere in the world, and give to this remote
	machine the fake addresses for sender.
	I have seen this work.

	I am sorry to have posted this here, but since
	alt.locksmithing it is so much off subject now
	I hope you guys won't mind.

	Thanks, Bill.
Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing
From: Larry Margolis <margoli@watson.ibm.com>
Subject: Re: simple question: Drilling
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 18:36:44 GMT
Reply-To: margoli@watson.ibm.com
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: The Village Waterbed

In  <1992Apr13.183930.4461@cubetech.com>  andrew@cubetech.com (Andrew Loewenstern) writes:
> In article <1992Apr10.174126.30198@watson.ibm.com> Larry Margolis
> <margoli@watson.ibm.com> writes:
> >  Note that any decent safe will have a relocking device, so any attempt at
> >  forcible entry by punching out the spindle will simply make it impossible
> >  to open the safe without drilling.
>
> Yes, but if you drill in the right spot, you should be able to see the gates
> line up on the discs...  Isn't this the main reason for drilling?

I said that punching out the spindle would trigger the relocker, not
drilling.  Punching out the spindle removes the wheel pack, so there's
nothing to prevent the lever from dropping down to where you can reach in
and push it over, withdrawing the bolt.  A relocker is a spring-loaded
lever that presses agains the spindle.  If the spindle is punched out,
the relocking device's lever is free to pivot and the other end releases
a pin (or whatever) that enters the bolt and physically prevents it from
being withdrawn.  Once this happens you have to drill in order to get
the relocking pin out of the bolt.

Larry Margolis, MARGOLI@YKTVMV (Bitnet), margoli@watson.IBM.com (Internet)