It's surprising we don't see more combination locks in higher security settings. Attacks against any type of lock seem to be almost exclusively brute force attacks, not the skilled attacks for which combination locks are typically assumed weaker than keyed locks, having traded security for the convenience of not having a key. However, I'm not sure combination locks are even weaker when it comes to skilled attacks: opening a combination lock by manipulation seems as difficult and specialized a skill to learn as learning to pick a keyed lock.
Maybe I'm wrong about people not using high security combination locks. There seem to be no shortage of combination locks on sale beefier than the ubiquitous Master Lock 1500 series dial combination lock.
- A Chinese lock branded variously, reviewed here
- Master Lock 2002
- Master Lock 1177D
- Abus 190CS/60
- Squire SS50cs Combi
- Squire SHCB75
- Sargent and Greenleaf 8077: Note that this one is officially only designed to repel skilled attacks (manipulation), not brute force destructive attacks.
A desirable feature for a high security combination lock is for it to conceal the correct entered combination after it is used so that one cannot accidentally leave the combination (or last dial location) visible for an attacker who follows. Which locks above have this feature? Master Lock 2002 requires an additional dial turn after the last number. The S&G 8077 requires turning to zero as the "fourth" number. Do any of the others do something similar?
Incidentally, no one seems to have figured out yet how to practically defeat the Master Lock Speed Dial using only manipulation. (It is easily defeated with brute force, e.g., bolt cutters.) If the design ever gets upgraded (especially not making the internals out of plastic) to beefier locks...
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