Locksmithing is the science and art of making and defeating locks. A lock is a mechanism that secures buildings, rooms, cabinets, or other storage facilities from theft by burglars. A key is usually used to open a lock. It is often said that "a lock keeps honest people honest."

Practitioners are called locksmiths. Locksmithing is one of the earliest forms of security engineering. Lock-picking was one of the first methods of cracking security systems.

The issue of full disclosure was first raised in the context of locksmithing.

Topics in locksmithing

• Cylinder lock
• Pin tumbler lock
• Tubular pin tumbler lock
• Disc tumbler lock
• Warded lock
• Combination lock
• Bored cylindrical lock
• Mortise lock
• Lock-picking
• Lock-bypassing
• Wafer lock
• Electronic lock
• Safecracking

Technical terms in locksmithing

• key blank
• bitting
• change key
• master keying
• shear line
• selective key system
• angularly bitted key
• maison key system
• total position progression
• rotating constant

External links

• The Associated Locksmiths of America, INC (http://www.aloa.org)
• International Association of Investigative Locksmiths (http://www.iail.org)
• The alt.locksmithing FAQ (http://www.faqs.org/faqs/locksmith-faq/)
• MIT guide to lock-picking (http://www.lysator.liu.se/mit-guide/mit-guide.html) by 'Ted the
• Guide to purchasing keys, locks and other security devices by mail order (http://www.lockdoctor.biz)

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