Practical Lock Picking: A Physical Penetration Tester's Training Guide

by Deviant Ollam

Practical Lock Picking, Second Edition , is an instructional manual that covers everything from straightforward lockpicking to quick-entry techniques such as shimming, bumping, and bypassing. Written by Deviant Ollam, one of the security industry's best-known lockpicking teachers, and winner of the Best Book Bejtlich Read in 2010 award, this book contains detailed photos that make learning as easy as picking a lock. Material is offered in easy-to-follow lessons that allow even beginners to acquire the knowledge very quickly. Whether the student will be hired at some point to penetrate security or simply trying to harden his or her own defenses, this book is essential.

This edition has been updated to reflect the changing landscape of tools and tactics which have emerged in recent years. It consists of 6 chapters that discuss topics such as the fundamentals of pin tumbler and wafer locks; the basics of picking, with emphasis on how to exploit weaknesses; tips for beginners on how to get very good and very fast in picking locks; advanced training; quick-entry tricks about shimming, bumping, and bypassing; and pin tumblers in other configurations.

This book is geared specifically toward penetration testers, security consultants, IT security professionals, and hackers.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Technical, Technology, How To

296 pages, Paperback

First published July 23, 2010

Reviews

[Aaron Hamlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're interested in lockpicking, this is the best introductory guide there is. Deviant is incredibly skilled with his descriptions and images. I've picked up a lot of books on lockpicking. You'll be hard-pressed for a better start.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Is Lockpicking Coder...
and today I want to talk about this practical lock picking guide by Ollam.

This was an excellent book!
Although I am already an experienced picker, this book had some interesting tips and I found them pretty useful.

Would recommend for those in infosec.

4.0/5

[Erick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good discussion of the variety of locks, and lockpicks, available as well as how to address them.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned how locks work, and how to pick them, don't know what else to say. Pretty practical knowledge

[Mohamed Ramdan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good intro, I recommend you don't get any tools before you buy this book and check the appendix. It was a bit scarce on information for new lock types like electric locks and combination locks, but it gives a general idea that would be useful for understanding any type of lock.
I enjoyed it.

[Carson Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today, in late 2023, the resources of the internet make it trivially easy to learn the most advanced lockpicking techniques. But in ~2012 when I read this book, the information landscape was a partched desert. Your choices were basically the MIT field guide, private forums, crappy half-baked websites, or the incredible resources of Deviant Ollam.

[Ash Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has made me even more excited to do lock picking as a hobby. I've already got a list of things I want to add to my lock pick tool set and I'm looking forward to putting what I've read in this book into play.

Deviant Ollam did a wonderful job with this book. He explained everything with amazing detail and offered many tips and suggestions. The illustrations were great and helped me with the visualization of what is being done when I practice picking locks. I wish I would have read this book before I started playing with locks and lock picks. Doing what the author suggested has improved my skill already.

If you're like me and just learning this for fun or if you are actually going to use these skills (hopefully with good intentions) this books is excellent to being with. Easy to read and follow. I imagine this might even be useful for those at more advance levels too.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deviant does a good job of explaining to beginners a lock's mechanisms and how to pick locks. And he continues on with intermediate lock picking techniques to bypass locks with security pins. This book is a thorough overview of lock picking, and covers several non-standard locks and other related areas like lock bumping. I appreciate Deviant's focus on how locks are manufactured and how that impacts lock picking. His advice is practical and realistic, as he gives recommendations on lock brands to buy to practice picking.

I recommend this book for those looking to learn lock picking or to advance their skills.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction into the sport of "Locksport" which more simply is the mastery of the mystery of locks.

A TOOOL (The Open Organization Of Lockpickers) Board Member, Ollam is a not only an expert in the art but shows his skill in passing on knowledge in this book.

The bonus disk is very nice - though perhaps the publisher should do an update of the Apple Version, as most newer Apple Computers will not natively run OS 9.2 packages.

Returning the subject introduced to me some 25 years ago in a professional capacity, the whole idea of Locksport is a kick!

Good book and package - recommended!

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure- I am a TOOOL member and have commiserated, drank, and engaged in shenanigans with Deviant (the author) at Locktoberfest in Chicago. He's a good guy, and gave me some good pointers on impressioning.

I have read a number of "lockpick manuals," and can say this was the clearest and most helpful of the genre. The illustrations are particularly valuable. Definitely a great choice for someone wanting to acquire this skillset.

[Denis Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting topic and a well written instruction, more than suitable for beginners. I'll also be keeping this as a handy reference.
I'm a Penetration Tester who has focused more on Web and Network security and this certainly add's another weapon to the arsenal.
If you are starting out, this text from the security industry's best known lock picking teachers is a must read.
There are detailed diagrams and text that takes you through the exact process.
Well done Deviant Ollam.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great starter for those interested in locks, Deviant Ollam provides an accessible, but yet detailed, account about most popular lock types, their inner workings and how to exploit them, helping one who has never taken an interest before get started into the locks world.
After reading this, I have started to appreciate some of the fine details in how locks work and, despite simplicity, it's pleasingly refreshing to learn about this stuff.

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect book for anyone wanting to learn how to pick locks and other methods of penetration. It's a wealth of knowledge for the beginner and has some great trinkets for advanced pickers. Amazing:)

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, and very useful resource for anyone seeking to learn the art of ethical lock picking. With the assistance of this book, I was able to successfully pick a lock for which I had lost the keys, without having to enlist the services of a locksmith.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Physical security is an often overlooked aspect in information assurance. This lock-picking guide is great because it is geared towards pen-testers.

[Dgg32 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to follow lock pick guide. Also recommending Keys to Kingdom.

[Amuse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical, except that I don't have lock-picking tools. I love the approach and the fact that locks seem easy after reading this.

[Forgotten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best physical security book I've read. It has excellent pictures and great explanations of how to attack locks of all types effectively.

[Hans Marius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, recommended reading

[Sean Goh · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's no shortcut to lockpicking, you have to practice.
You don't need as much force as you're using.

And sometimes, you don't need to bother with the lock, just the latching mechanism.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent resource for the amateur lock-picker.

[Ahmed Sultan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read xDDD

[Cloay · Rating 4 out of 5]

- available in SG NLB 683.32 (Bukit Merah)

[Rachel B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super helpful book! This goes into a lot more depth than I was expecting, and covers more than just lock-picking. I would definitely recommend it to anyone just getting started.

[Elie De Brauwer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book, well written, filled with clear diagrams and building up from zero to hero (okay, I might have left off in the middle somewhere :-) ).