From the time he first learns of Gringotts, Harry hears too the rumor that dragons guard the bank's high-security vaults (PS5) - a rumor he later confirms himself (DH26). However, there are many other security measures on Gringotts vaults as well. Those we know of include: Goblins flank the entrance to every door (PS5, CS4, DH26).
The vaults are "hundreds of miles underground" in a maze of twisting tunnels and caverns (PS5).
The Gringotts carts can only be controlled by goblins (DH26) and move so rapidly the passengers do not have time to see their surroundings (PS5).
Keys are required for lower-security vaults; for higher-security vaults a goblin must touch the door to allow access. If anyone else tried this, "they'd be sucked in the door and trapped in there" (PS5).
When thieves break in, The Thief's Downfall is activated - a waterfall that washes away all enchantments and magical concealments, and the carts throw themselves off the tracks (DH26).
The dragons guarding the high-security vaults can be controlled only by Clankers, which only the goblins have (DH26).
Some vaults have Gemino and Flagrante Curses added to them, meaning that everything a thief touches will burn them and multiply, eventually scalding and crushing them to death (DH26).
Objects within Gringotts vaults cannot be summoned (DH26). In times of war, additional security precautions are taken: Wizards with Probity Probes replace the goblins outside the front door, and in the case of Arkie Philpott, a probe was stuck up his... well, never mind (HBP6, DH26).
Warnings are sent to the Gringotts goblins, informing them of wizards who might try to break into specific vaults, wands that have been stolen, etc. (DH26).
A number of other unknown precautions mean that it takes about five hours for the public to access their vaults, according to Bill Weasley (HBP6).
From the time he first learns of Gringotts, Harry hears too the rumor that dragons guard the bank's high-security vaults (PS5) - a rumor he later confirms himself (DH26). However, there are many other security measures on Gringotts vaults as well. Those we know of include:
Goblins flank the entrance to every door (PS5, CS4, DH26).
The vaults are "hundreds of miles underground" in a maze of twisting tunnels and caverns (PS5).
The Gringotts carts can only be controlled by goblins (DH26) and move so rapidly the passengers do not have time to see their surroundings (PS5).
Keys are required for lower-security vaults; for higher-security vaults a goblin must touch the door to allow access. If anyone else tried this, "they'd be sucked in the door and trapped in there" (PS5).
When thieves break in, The Thief's Downfall is activated - a waterfall that washes away all enchantments and magical concealments, and the carts throw themselves off the tracks (DH26).
The dragons guarding the high-security vaults can be controlled only by Clankers, which only the goblins have (DH26).
Some vaults have Gemino and Flagrante Curses added to them, meaning that everything a thief touches will burn them and multiply, eventually scalding and crushing them to death (DH26).
Objects within Gringotts vaults cannot be summoned (DH26).
In times of war, additional security precautions are taken:
Wizards with Probity Probes replace the goblins outside the front door, and in the case of Arkie Philpott, a probe was stuck up his... well, never mind (HBP6, DH26).
Warnings are sent to the Gringotts goblins, informing them of wizards who might try to break into specific vaults, wands that have been stolen, etc. (DH26).
A number of other unknown precautions mean that it takes about five hours for the public to access their vaults, according to Bill Weasley (HBP6).