Product Guide and lock features and terminology

Locksmith and Lock Terminology

When you need to change your locks, you may well have heard about locks that are anti-bump, anti-drill or anti-pick, but what do all of these things mean? Do your locks need to have these abilities?

This guide is intended to clarify what these terminologies mean so you can make an informed decision when purchasing new locks.

Locksmith Terminology

Anti-Pick

Locks can be picked using a variety of tools. Locks equipped with Anti-lock technology prevents locks being picked easily.

Anti-Drill

Drilling a lock is a destructive, unsubtle way to gain entry into a home. It is done by drilling in a particular place on the lock, then using a screwdriver to turn the lock like you would with a key. This will destroy the lock, but is relatively quick.

Anti-drill locks prevent the internal mechanisms from snapping and defend against drilling.

Anti-Bump

Bumping is a process of making the lock pins jump above the shear line to gain access. A special key is made with many ridges all of the same short length. When these are whacked into the cylinder and turned almost instantly after, the lock quite often opens. There is no damage, no sign of a break-in and can be done in seconds.
Anti-bump locks work by having more pins and specially made keys, having shallow pin stacks to prevent them ‘jumping’ up or locks that have programmable side bars and no top pins. Locks that use rotating disks also protect against bumping, keeping your door securely shut.