(017) Abus 78KC/50 picked
Channel: Nite 0wl
Date: 14/07/2014

The Abus 78KC/50 looks like a Master Lock 1500 dial combination lock but has some important differences. It has a rather different approach to shim protection, a slightly heavier construction and a generally tighter fit of it's parts. But it has one glaring vulnerability, this model includes a "Key Control" feature which allows the lock to be opened with an override key. Key Control padlocks are often found being issued by institutions like schools, gyms, and businesses that provide locker facilities to their staff. The override key feature allows the institution to gain access to your locker in case you lose your combination (helpful) but also lets them get into your stuff any other time they want to, whether to assist law enforcement (reasonable) or so that they can do their own snooping (bad). Because the override keys are easily purchased and the wafer lock mechanism is easily picked with common tools these key override locks leave the user vulnerable to surreptitious theft.