Breaking into a Suitcase with a Ballpoint Pen and What You Can Do About It
ITS Tactical / Imminent Threat Solutions0 HN recommenders · 2015–2016
931K views · demo · evergreen · Uploaded 2012-06-05
ITS Tactical demonstrates how a ballpoint pen can open a zippered suitcase without leaving a trace, bypassing its lock, and suggests countermeasures.
Cited in TSA luggage-lock threads to show that locks on zippered bags offer little real security.
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5 comments from Hacker News
So use a ballpoint pen on the zipper. You jam it in the nylon teeth so they separate, and you can loot the bag. Afterwards, use the zipper pull to heal the teeth and there's no trace you were in there. [VIDEO] To counter this (and unauthorized use of a TSA key), wrap your bag in industrial cling-wrap plastic. You should also go right to baggage claim when you land. Most airports don't have someone looking at the bag claim receipts, so thieves can walk right out with a bag.
Honestly I doubt it will become a big deal outside of the tech community. Most people realize luggage locks aren't really there to protect against a determined adversary, or a person with a ballpoint pen [VIDEO]
The chain always breaks by the weakest link. Considering that you can very easily open the zipper with a ballpoint pen ( [VIDEO] ), and close it again as if it was never open, that the secret of the lock was revealed is irrelevant.
Most bags can be opened and closed with a ball point pen WITHOUT A TRACE completely bypassing any locks. [VIDEO]
Zip tie? Only a ballpoint pen is needed, and you will never know someone messed with your luggage. Definitely easier than any lock... [VIDEO]