Forbes recently reported on a press release from F-Secure sharing that researchers had discovered a hack that would allow them to create a master key card that could open any hotel door with a single card.
Yes, you read that right. Any hotel room. One key.
The only material the researchers needed in order to create the master key was a single discarded key from their target location- it didn't matter how old or expired the card.
They were able to use information still on the card to create a master key that gave them privileges to literally any door in the entire hotel.
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F-Secure worked with the lock manufacturer in question, in this case the Vision electronic system by VingCard.
This is great, but it exposes the fact that other lock manufacturers likely have similar vulnerabilities.
Let's be honest: most of us aren't looking too closely into the lock manufacturer when we book a hotel for a weekend getaway or a business trip.
The bottom line here is that as electronics continue to become an ever-more pervasive part of the world around us, there will always be instances where they fail.
Unfortunately, we may not become aware of those vulnerabilities until it's too late.
This is why it's so important not to put your full faith in electronics.
Have a backup plan:
- Keep escape and evasion gear on your person.
- Keep your valuables on your person if you must have them with you at all.
- Don't depend on others (human or electronic) to keep you and your property safe.
- Assume that electronic security systems are just as (if not more) vulnerable to bypass and breach as traditional locks, and plan accordingly.
Check out our collection of urban survival gear and ensure that you're doing everything you should be to maintain your safety and security no matter where you are.
