PrettySureNoActuallyImDefinitelySure
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I know it's like a think to do here on Imgur, but it's a really bad idea to take pictures of your home and especially your keys. Dangerous people can use your picture to do several things and I've annoyingly called them out with boxes. The first is your key. There are services that someone could use to duplicate your key just from a picture. https://key.me/
The next thing someone could do is use the surroundings you thought were trivial to pinpoint your location. So using your house or apartment number, someone could cross-reference with recent sales in your area. A reverse image search could help narrow it down especially if your house has any unique features and/or the house has been listed for a while (or just long enough for search engines to crawl it). Also be aware of people socially engineering the relative location out of you. If they find out you're in a particular city, they can use that to narrow their search as well.
Additional things that people could pull from your surroundings might be in the reflections. Even if you blur out your own number, there may be other houses or apartment numbers caught in reflections.
If this could save even just one person from danger, I'll be satisfied.
Please note that I've manipulated the image including the key teeth and house number to protect the original poster.
Most Viral Edit - Thanks all! I really needed some kind of positive today. And fake internet points helped.
3lfk1ng
Anyone with a set of lockpicks doesn't need a picture of a key to pick. In fact, it does nothing to help them as picking is based on feel.
Evo435
If lockpickinglawyer has taught me anything, a lock without a key is only an extra minute.
evangrumling5
Or just pick the lock.
straha242
Views with skylines of major cities, location pic was taken from can very easily found, often with surprising accuracy.
Lulabel73
Does this really happen or is it like a razor blades in apples type thing?
DaveDreamsOfDumplings
If someone wanted to break into a house, why on god's green earth would they put in the amount of work (and travel?) this entails?
samanthadlcruz
the 'perfect crime' is one where no-one even knows the crime occurred.
CitizenPrime
If lockpicking lawyer taught me anything is the the lock is more of an annoyance for a good picker
baronnapalm
Or anyone with a decent sized boot. Unless you have a steel framed door and it's reinforced it's just gonna collapse under a kick.
bound4doom
You all freak out about this way more that you should. A simple lock pick is going to be much faster and cheaper and work on any house.
bound4doom
This is your average home deadbolt pick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLcpnTJIhXQ
VictusVonGuyver
Sound advice because of people like this. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50000234.amp
endersfinalend
Everyone in the comments is focused on robbery and completely ignoring that the internet is full of batshit weirdos happy to stalk people.
PrettySureNoActuallyImDefinitelySure
Exactly. Some people have just never seen that side of the world. The true evil of the world needs to be more common knowledge.
Canigetbannedagain
Thanks for the square, I wasn't sure what I was looking at..
Benelicious
Enhance...
youreathing
I've got nothin' to hide. Come at me. I live at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in Washington DC and I don't bother locking my doors. Bring it.
HonestCommentFarmer
Iblamemyparents
Damn, we just bought a house and I considered doing one of these "look what I did" post and now not so much, thanks
Evo435
You could just hold the key by the other end.
LooseyGooseyBrett
Are you really that special that someone would do this?
PrettySureNoActuallyImDefinitelySure
I'm not, and you're probably not, but attractive women? Possibly. People be crazy up in here.
LooseyGooseyBrett
I dont think so. Nobody is going to copy your key from a photo
mistertheloaf
I suppose it is theoretically possible, but, you are really going to shit your pants when you find out about phone books.
MrJwinkyface
Sorry to bust your bubble but I can pick your average house lock with my handy $15 set in a few minutes. No CSI key analysis needed
TunnelRat13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnmcRTnTNC8 You don't need much to get through most doors.
byebuddyhopeyoufindyourdad
So WHAT WILL keep your handy $15 set from getting into my house?
MrJwinkyface
Those camera door things are nice. Can see who’s there or if the power is cut you can call the cops for probable break in.
byebuddyhopeyoufindyourdad
Check. Any door lock suggestions?
usernamemustbe4characterslonng
That doesn’t add up. If you are of criminal mind to copy a key from a photo, track down a location from multiple states or further away...
usernamemustbe4characterslonng
To rob a lower middle/ middle class...seems a lot of wasted effort. Like being a nuclear physicists and going to work in food services.
PrettySureNoActuallyImDefinitelySure
Not all crimes are about robbing. Some are stalking and/or killing. I thought this was well known, but I guess some places aren't as crimey
cliche108
Absolutely everything that comes out America is always fear, fear, fear !!! How do you sleep at night ?
bassaro
OH GOD AM I SLEEPING ENOUGH?
seentoomuchdeath
Did u see the antivaxxer proving her COVID vaccine made her magnetic using her (non magnetic) key?
PrettySureNoActuallyImDefinitelySure
Sorry. I lived in a town of a country where a famous crime documentary was filmed and my current surrounding area has excessive gun violence
mmodlin
Is there evidence of this scenario ever having actually happened?
LaughingSeraphim
Oh, fear.
isetprettygirlsonfire
That sounds like a lkt of work. Much faster and easier to kick a door in. Or pick the lock for more finesse.
[deleted]
[deleted]
isetprettygirlsonfire
A key bump is more fun
AndrewBrandon
Anybody that has that much time and money invested to do all that BS can probably get into any house they want without buying plane tickets
AndrewBrandon
To fly across the country and find your stupid house with your stupid what if scenario. How you ask? Lockpicking training kits.
AndrewBrandon
Soooooo much cheaper than all that BS https://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/product_p/nightschooltux.htm
ParanoidAnondroid
PSA one could just smash any of those windows with far less effort.
LunaLucia
And alert the neighbours and possibly set off a security alarm in the process. With a key you could just walk in and nobody but the owner 1/
LunaLucia
would even question it. 2/2
ParanoidAnondroid
And then change their locks. It's MY house now.
samanthadlcruz
there are some that would prefer to make clandestine entry where the victim doesn't even know that a robbery occurred.
samanthadlcruz
had one do this to me in college - they entered my dorm room at least 5 times before getting caught - only taking small things from my room
samanthadlcruz
this was a stalker mostly taking 'trophies' - but no less violating than an outright burglary.
BrazilianThunderPanda
This take is dumb as shit. If someone wants to get in to your house so much they CSI and social engineer their way to your house, >>
BrazilianThunderPanda
3D printing your key won’t be the motivation or barrier for any crime. Seriously fuck off with this bullshit. If you think people are >>
BrazilianThunderPanda
ACTUALLY DO THIS IN REAL LIFE, you are a fucking idiot.
TheAssassinArtemisEntreri
Bro... you know you can break windows... with a punch? Wait til you see what a rock can do! This is manufactured paranoia.
StinkCreature
Then you have the wrong type of glass. I had to break a window because a neighbor locked herself out. Used a sledge hammer and had to swing/
StinkCreature
/twice. The first one bounced of the glass and I almost hit myself. Scared the bejeezus out of me.
TheAssassinArtemisEntreri
Funny because its uncommon. they don't make most housing windows with ballistic glass.
StinkCreature
I know little about glass but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t. It was just double hr++ home glass. It was a small window so maybe that mattered.
somethingslightlyclever
99% of burglars are going to simply break a back window before trying to file a duplicate key from a photo. Just saying.
Rifneno
99% of people don't have HIV, but I still recommend against barebacking random barflies
somethingslightlyclever
Ok. The ONLY reason someone would make a key for a b and e would be for an apartment. Not a house. It makes zero sense.
OneLetter
I also feel like learning how to pick house locks is INFINITELY easier than fabricating keys and locating specific houses...
OneLetter
It took me less than 30 minutes to get my front door open when I locked myself out once just watching YouTube with some basic tools from1/2
OneLetter
2/2 my neighbor. Anything thin but fairly firm to push pins and something that you can keep sideways pressure on the lock with will do.
OneLetter
Also to the “breaking windows is loud” people, you tape the outside before you break it so it doesn’t shatter all over the floor.
somethingslightlyclever
All that is true. About the only reason a burglar would use social media, would to be if you posted about being out of town.
Pheehelm
I remember a LockPickingLawyer video where he showed his own personal bike lock and how to pick it, but made a point of not showing the key.
Pheehelm
https://youtu.be/SpVOTEOMRuE
AndrewBrandon
He also had a video about using some sort of anti pick peices in his locks so that if someone tries to pick the lock it breaks and jams the
Pheehelm
This? https://youtu.be/7JlgKCUqzA0 Don't know if that would work on his bike lock.
AndrewBrandon
That's the one! I remembered it slightly differently but essientaly the same effect
AndrewBrandon
Lock which requires disassembling the entire lock before its usable again
adrianontherocks
I’m personally more worried about the people who already know where I live than random people online
LooseyGooseyBrett
People today would be freaked out if they knew there used to be the White Pages that game you the name, address and phone of nearly everyone
Lulabel73
KittyLeader
If they really want in, they'll find a way inside
xcrit
If it has windows it has a weak spot. But all my neighbors and the local police know me as the guy with a big flame thrower.
Sooner70
Burn your own house down. That'll teach 'em!
xcrit
My first night after moving in someone was in the yard. I went outside with the flame thrower blasting and calling out to the stranger.
TossABabyYodaToYourWitcher
Aren't most home burglaries people you already know? I doubt some random dude 12k miles away is gonna dupe my key, find out where I
TossABabyYodaToYourWitcher
Live and come do what exactly??
Thymantistoboggan
Just from this picture I’ve copied the key, found the house, went in and had a dump then removed all the labels from the canned goods
Munchman347
I swapped all his salt for different salt, then dumped in his toilet and flushed it!...
thisiswhyicanthaveanythingnice
This is a lie cuz that key only works on blurry deadbolts.
viridianasovari
I stole the microwave plate
Carebear711
Lol!!
BaddyOneShoe
Joke's on you! That's my house and I happen to LOVE dinner roulette.
Barjack
Chaotic neutral
p7hk9
You monster.
xyxyxyxy31
pollomagnifico
What, you didn't steal the batteries out of the remote controls? Fucking amateur.
Ekibwurm
dont steal them. they will notice they are gone. put them back in the wrong way around.
flinkflonk
Ok, those (opens can) baked beans must go well with (opens can) cherries and (opens can) cat food? WTF?
traintracker
That's super evil
Freedumbed
Don’t sit on floor. I came like a lot
dav8388
Wait.....that was you?
OliverClothesoff70
nyarlathotep777
I also copied the key, found the house and went in. But I cleaned up some feces I found there and labeled all their unmarked canned foods.
rtysiiik1
Was it an upper decker
Ruhig
Gave em a Kris Kringle, where you climb up on the roof and shit down the chimney.
ph4i1
Heh, Yule Log
docchloroplast
This made me laugh harder than I have in a month.
Illithidbane
lookingOknaked
Dude, you're not being evil, you're just gonna get E. Coli or the Strep, or worms.
GradyG
PithyCommentBelow
So we’ll have a few mystery meals. No real harm done.
TheLeftNugget
Did you give them an upper decker?
AdamWeishaupt23
Upperdecker?
BeverleyMacker
Thanks for the cat, your wife is a little naggy. Pick up the latter at my place any time - dm me for addresss
iamspartan1262
Would have been better if you switched the labels around rather than remove them
WeAlreadyHadThisWar
That label thing I did as a toddler. Mom said we never knew what we were gonna get xD
BlairT1
You cheeky bastard
halcyonsky
....stole all the furniture and replaced them with exact copies.
pauldegraaf
But did you flush the toilet?
MarkySpaceMagnet
Nope
MadeYouLookAgain
If you don’t upper deck em you’re useless as a dedicated defecateor
TheDudzzly
Hey! we need the water! Every time you flush the toilet you waste a gallon of water!
atvcrash
This monster just removed all the labels from the canned goods. I doubt the dump was even in the toilet.
honko802
They didn’t say the dump was in a toilet.
burntundeez
Dry docked one
Thymantistoboggan
No, and that’s not all the DNA evidence I left behind
UniversalTruth2020
EvilMade
He went spelunking all over the house!
GhostTater
As was pointed out repeatedly yesterday, anybody who wants in can get in without a key
juggertroll2
But there's a difference between walking in like you own the place or breaking. A key let's people do daytime more easily. Think about it
juggertroll2
You've just moved in. Don't know your neighborhood well. No one really knows you yet. To easy to act like you live there
LeagueOfIncrementallySizedOctopi
Took a one-evening class on lockpicking. Shit is so easy it's hilarious. I was picking 6 pin locks by the end of the evening.
errrikblack
But maybe don't make it easy and convenient.
StraightEdgeBear
I gotta get my tool.
v
Strangedays2024
Yeah locks are only as strong as the frame to begin with.
slackboy722000
...nothing on 4 ... 3 is binding...
AntikytheraMechanism31415
Make sure deadshits see the next house over as easier. I have a sign at my backdoor saying where my neighbour hides his key.
ubatuba3000
Ha ha ha!
Lemuffinmannn
Rookie. I have my neighbor's key on a platter in my front lawn.
longshorttermmemorynetwork
Yes. Here in Taiwan people think American houses are ridiculously open to criminals. Here, even a normal apartment has a huge steel door(1)
longshorttermmemorynetwork
as well as lobby security and electronic keycards required for the elevators. The door also has multiple forms of locks and emits an (2)
longshorttermmemorynetwork
alarm with any tampering. All this despite the super low crime rate. By compaison, Americans don't even seem to be trying to be secure. (3)
BigDaddysMeatWagon
Very few burglars are picking locks. A crowbar to pull the lock or a brick to break a window is easier and faster.
baronnapalm
Speed is key on burglaries really. In and out with what you came for. Too many crime shows have them lurking around the house for hours.
Phayze87
Thats not a good defense lmao.
LucidAftermath
If ur good enough to make a copy of a key, you already know how to make bump keys or card a door.
duhitspollo
Yup I see realtors post new home owners in front of their house. Sometimes a location as well
exoskeletonsforcats
Not everybody that wants to get in is there for your TV.
DildoRodeo
Weird thing to point out. "Post your credit card online. Anyone with a gun can take it from you anyway!!"
JustSomePersonThere
Consider the long con. Someone using a key years later.
ZoidbergIsGreat
Why replicate a key when common garden variety rock exists?
PorneliusHubertII
This is the reason I don't lock my car doors. From past experience, if someone wants in , they will break something to do so. Dont
PorneliusHubertII
Leave anything worth stealing in your car.
YayItsMillerTime
We do have a lot of unlocked vehicle break-ins in my neighborhood... Locked cars are left alone... It is not breaking and entering
PorneliusHubertII
I come from a neighborhood of many broken windows. So I'd rather someone rifle through my car than have the opportunity to break a window.
YayItsMillerTime
Makes sense i guess
baronnapalm
I do the same thing in cities. I've had two windows broken and two other times with unlocked doors Besides the cost of windows Im out $5
Rignak
Yeah. Most residential locks are a joke. If they really want in. A key won't matter
SavagePatchKids
dekket
Yea but a key makes it easy to enter without anyone knowing you did so. And silently, too.
GhostTater
Bump key is easier, free, requires no pictures, and is the same result
Spudd86
And leaves traces
eldorel
New move-in is a good target though. Neighbors expecting new faces, things already in boxes, and knowing what lock is used speeds entry.
YayItsMillerTime
WoundedZetian
Yes but the point is to make it hard and annoying to get into your house so they pick a different house
ChillaAquila
Same is applied to gun control. 'If people really want a gun they will ignore gun laws'. Yes Karen, so why bother locking your front door?
Datdudez
Especially that lockpicking lawyer guy...or a guy with a brick
LeagueOfIncrementallySizedOctopi
Lockpicking is shockingly easy. Took a 2 hour class, and by the end was picking 6 pin locks.
Weentit
ah, nut they wouldn't go through all the trouble of downloading an app to duplicate keys from shite pictures then ay
originfoomanchu1
If a murderer is going to kill you he's going to kill you no point in locking your doors or being vigilant. /s
zzx4qp
The point isnt really just the key tho. New people moving into a house neighbors don't really know who should and shouldnt be in the house.
zzx4qp
Things still in boxes especially well labeled boxes make for easier grabbing when someone isnt home.
Sm9yCg
It's the point of making it convenient. A lockpicker with a picture of the key can open a lock in a few seconds instead of minute
OstinPower2020
If you have skills to make a key based on the photo... Well you can probably open any door with a tooth pick.
CheeseGod55
So I guess you don't lock your door?
baronnapalm
Haven't locked a door in a decade.
manamongstyou
No, If they have to kick your door or break a window it's loud and may alert others to call 911. They'll be there in like 30-60 mins.
QT3pt141592653
Yeah, but don't make it easier for them.
HighwayWizard
True, but in addition to making it easier to break in, you're also advertising you're an easy mark with enough income to buy a house
Vblink
Not any more just bought the house :)
SexBeerGamingCarsMoviesCoffeeBurgersCats
I know 3 people who have had break ins. All 3 were a brick through the window
ManByTechnicality
I have a bad habit of locking my keys in my house, but windows are super convenient to get in without keys.
baronnapalm
Friend locked himself out once. I got garage window open, climbed into attic access in garage made my way to indoor ceiling access. Easy.
Subtilico
Sometimes insurance won't pay if there is no break in damage.
YourMomWasHere
^ my insurance policy has explicit terms for that. Most here do.
JustSomeRandomGuyOnTheInternet
And who the hell doesn't change the locks when they buy a house???
blacksheep214
Safe Suburban Neighborhood. My parents had trouble finding the key when they sold it 15 years later because they never locked the doors.
butthurtnevergetsbetter
Many people don't consider that the previous owner might have kept or spread the key. Just "but the lock works!?" when you suggest it.
MarkySpaceMagnet
Mine were changed within 24 hours of taking possession. 3 doors spring and deadbolts took maybe 30 min each door
lurkerthatoccationallywantstocomment
Locks are to keep honest people honest.
Atharaenea
They also keep lazy thieves out. My brother used to go around parking lots looking for unlocked cars to steal change and cigarettes out of
CAAFlo
You don't have to be perfectly secure, just more secure than the guy next door
DroppedLens
Fun Fact: A padlock in a sock can turn a dishonest person honest if used correctly.
WilliamWeird
*nods* .. because their tools can't get past the sock to pick the lock.
ICampOntheFirstDate
I agree, unless its a weird stalker thing. A simple boot heel to the deadbolt gets you instant access for the ol' smash n grab.
eexea
So go ahead and post your credit card for us.
WoahMyDudeThatsCrazy
Locks keep out honest snd lazy people, and were lucky so many people are lazy
GiantEnemyMudcrabz
I thought replacing the stock deadbolts was the first thing on a homeowners list.
ICampOntheFirstDate
Yes, as they should. Very few people replace/reinforce the jamb, however, which is every door's weak point.
physicsisalwaysrelevant
With a cheap deadbolt system sure. I have a solid core, metal reinforced door, matching frame, steel strike plate anchored with 8 inch screw
LucidAftermath
Smell their undies and leave no trace.
AwwYEE
Not even a secret upper decker?
OmnesMundiLardum
Really? Grow up and put fish guts in the centeral heating vents.
GhostTater
& If you want to unlock it I have a set of bump-keys that will open 99.999% of all door-locks
DaveTBull
This, but less fun then picks
cuzitsthere
Bought a lock picking set for funsies, had a few beers and picked the padlocks I had laying around. Decided, drunk and an hour into picking,
cuzitsthere
That I'd try my garage door (same locks as the rest of the house, but less important)... Bruh, it was <30 seconds before the door swung open
techwest
Must be American locks. Useless ones
frogsnot
I spent four years in Spain, where dimple keys were the norm. Admittedly, the doors were beefier, but dimple locks can be picked, too.
cuzitsthere
Lol you're so cute. Does your fortress have real locks or the identically weak Chinese knockoffs?
techwest
Actually, every door of my house is independently keyed. Multiple makes, repined, tested with multiple entry methods
SpitMatt
And then there's my brother who's front door has this complex 3D key than can only be cut by this one ironmonger. Door's build like a fort
butthurtnevergetsbetter
The vast majority of people do not have this at all.
markiel
If you mean a simple multi faced key, picking still works on those.
Adoptedphalic
How is his window tho
LogicalByDesign
Hopefully steel reinforced!
imno0or1
I looked at an apt that bragged about it's metal storm doors and barred windows only to have a double glass door with no bars or anything in
sunyudai
What kind of walls does his house have? Windows?
Thatotherlurker
The walls are made of pure 6 inch titanium plates with bullet proof shatter proof and heat proof steel plated windows that use cameras 1/2
VosperOfAntarctica
The first thing you should do when you take possession of the house is change the locks anyway
JaccoW
When my ex moved out I changed all the locks just in case. I'll put them all back if I ever move out myself.
bassaro
If you're really determined to get a house, do this at the showing instead.
SatanDoorbell
Lol...Underrated comment.
StevenAlleyn
Agreed. + installing security cameras & frankly the protection afforded by relative anonymity should be pretty good at keeping people safe.
bladderinfection
That and map out all of your electrical circuits to the breakers. Unless the former owner was me, you probably won’t get an accurate list.
joot
You must have been the previous owner. Thank you for that! It has come in handy many times over the years.
ChillaAquila
Label each socket with an ID number that refers back to its associated circuit breaker, like they do in offices. Easy.
PuzzledCompletely
Mine's accurate, at some level. A couple of them are labeled, "plugs"
mike13815
My electrical box has full labels on every breaker, labels markered on the cables, & a map of the electrical and plumbing on a flash drive.
mike13815
And the wiring is exact. 22 inches up is where the wire runs horizontally in every wall. Not hard to do but quite useful.
ZachariasWolfe
God damn, I didn't even realize I wanted that until I read this. If I build a house, that's going to be a must.
mike13815
You can also write the breaker # on inside of every plate and light fixture. And add directional arrows to every junction facing the box.
butthurtnevergetsbetter
Per fixture. Not all electric wiring goes per room, for some fucked up reason.
mike13815
They save a good $150 doing that! Who wants breakers that say "kitchen north" and "kitchen south" and "hallway" anyway?
bladderinfection
A previous owner did his own wiring on my old house. He (as in, his mother) had to shell out $60 grand to fix my shit...fucking tweeker.
LatexAndStilletos
half of my bedrooms are one one circuit, the other half is on another. I fucking hate it.
derzilly
Half our building (condo) is on one power box, half on a different. They're on the edges of two different city grids. More than once, we've
derzilly
lost power to the back (2BR, bathroom, hallway) & kept power to the main living/eating areas. Wtf, people???
brobinson2001
I had a breaker I couldn't trace. A yr later it was to an outlet in the stand-alone garage & was used to power a plug-in GFI on a flagpole.
brobinson2001
I was a full-on mental orgasm when I discovered that final breaker's use. It's now all been mapped & laminated to 5 copies.
Lovethesmelloftoastedsourdoughbread
Full on mental orgasm... What's it like?
brobinson2001
An orgasm without the jizz