We have to be careful with our keys. In the same way that we would not leave our ID or credit card within the reach of anyone, we must also prevent someone from easily copying our keys. You shouldn’t need to remember that duplicating someone’s key without her permission is illegal without good cause.
That said, we want to share with you KeyDecoder. It is an application created by two French engineers, Maxime Beasse and Quentin Clementwhich allows to obtain the exact measurements of a key only by taking a close-up photo with the mobile.
This application has a didactic objective, from professional locksmiths to the curious who want to evaluate the security of their key and discover what they are like. To minimize legal risk, the authors explain that for its use a card of a specific size is required in the background and that the key must be laid flat, off key ring. Two simple requirements, but that require being in possession of the key calmly.
KeyDecoder: decrypting our key from the mobile
KeyDecoder is available for Android and its code is freely published on GitHub. To use the application we must place the key on an ISO card, be it a credit, metro or visit. The important thing is that it has the exact measurements of 85.60 x 53.98 mm.
With this we can obtain the encryption patterns. Come on, the different measurements of the teeth of the key and their distances. The operation is really simple. We focus with the mobile camera until the key is well centered; We align the lines that the application marks for us and that’s it. In a few moments we obtain a series of data that is very useful for a locksmith to create a duplicate key.
At the level of privacy there should be no problems. All application information is managed on the device itself and no information is transmitted to the network.
The authors point out that KeyDecoder is an educational application and has been created in partnership with FrenchKey and CNS de ESIEA, a French numerical security laboratory.
As we can see, duplicating a key is very simple. The authors remember something obvious and that is that “if we take care of the keys as they deserve, no criminal will be able to use this application”. Like a password or a credit card, a mechanical key is confidential information that we should not share with nobody.
We believe that it is useful and interesting to see how technology can make a whole process simple and from our mobile we can access a large amount of information about what surrounds us. In this case the keys. Although we must also emphasize once again the importance of being aware of security.
Let’s not put ‘1234’ passwords or use the same one on all sites. Nor should we click on suspicious links and if possible it is recommended to always have two-step authentication activated. They are safety recommendations that are always carried out. KeyDecoder is a tool with a very specific purpose, in which step it comes in handy to remind us of the importance of keeping an eye on our keys. Whether digital or physical keysWe must be careful with all of them.
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