Breaking into a Suitcase with a Ballpoint Pen and What You Can Do About It
ITS Tactical / Imminent Threat SolutionsCited 5× on HN, 2015–2016
demo · general · evergreen · 2015–2016 on HN
ITS Tactical demonstrates how a ballpoint pen can open a zippered suitcase without leaving a trace, bypassing its lock, and suggests countermeasures.
Cited in TSA luggage-lock threads to show that locks on zippered bags offer little real security.
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5 comments from Hacker News
Zip tie? Only a ballpoint pen is needed, and you will never know someone messed with your luggage. Definitely easier than any lock... ▶ this video
Most bags can be opened and closed with a ball point pen WITHOUT A TRACE completely bypassing any locks. ▶ this video
So use a ballpoint pen on the zipper. You jam it in the nylon teeth so they separate, and you can loot the bag. Afterwards, use the zipper pull to heal the teeth and there's no trace you were in there. ▶ this video To counter this (and unauthorized use of a TSA key), wrap your bag in industrial cling-wrap plastic. You should also go right to baggage claim when you land. Most airports don't have someone looking at the bag claim receipts, so thieves can walk right out with a bag.
Honestly I doubt it will become a big deal outside of the tech community. Most people realize luggage locks aren't really there to protect against a determined adversary, or a person with a ballpoint pen ▶ this video
The chain always breaks by the weakest link. Considering that you can very easily open the zipper with a ballpoint pen ( ▶ this video ), and close it again as if it was never open, that the secret of the lock was revealed is irrelevant.