What keys cannot be copied?

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Keys may be copied for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common reasons include making a spare key for emergencies and giving access to multiple residents or employees.

While key copying may be convenient in certain circumstances, such as the ones mentioned above, it can turn into a security threat if your keys land in the wrong hands.

If a criminal gets a hold of your house or car keys and has them copied, it can give them access to your property which, of course, is something you would never want.

Luckily, there are a few types of keys that cannot be copied and are a much safer option in terms of keeping unauthorised access at bay.

Read on to find out more about key copying, the types of keys that cannot be copied, and advanced keyless entry options for maximum security:

WHAT IS KEY COPYING?

Key copying is a process that allows you to make copies of your keys to use as spare ones or to give to your family members and friends for easy access.

It is a quick process that takes locksmiths anywhere from 5 to 25 minutes using a tool called a key duplicator or a key-cutting machine.

The original key is placed on the side of the machine to be used as a template and the blank key is placed on the other side, which has an alignment tool to make sure both the keys are lined up and the blank one is cut using a blade to make an accurate replica.

While having the original key makes the process of key copying much easier, it can also be done without it. It is a bit complicated and the final product may or may not be an exact match, but it will surely serve the purpose of locking and unlocking your door without an issue.

It is always recommended to go to a professional locksmith to get your keys copied as they are specialists in the field and are trained to work with all kinds of keys and their corresponding locks.

Since keys are an extremely personal possession, the misuse of which can put your security at risk, you need to be sure that you’re getting your keys copied from a trustworthy place.

If you get your keys copied from a random uncertified place, there will be no guarantees to the level of confidentiality and you will always be worried about some stranger illegally possessing your keys.

Luckily, professional locksmiths like the ones at Calder Security are certified and take such legalities into account, making sure your keys remain safe and your identity remains protected too.

Professional locksmiths are experts at working with every type of key and can copy them using the latest key-cutting technology within minutes. They can not only work with house keys but also have the skill required to work with car keys.

However, certain types of keys cannot be copied. Some of them have electronic components or movable mechanisms that make them very difficult, oftentimes impossible to duplicate.

They include:

Transponder Keys

Transponder keys were first introduced in 1995 and are becoming more and more common. They are mostly used in cars but can also be used for entrance gates, garages, rental properties, safes, and closets.

They are one of the most modern types of keys programmed with a unique serial number that matches the serial number in the lock (receiver).

They use microchips that transmit a low-level RFID signal from the key to the receiver. If the receiver recognises the serial number, the door is unlocked. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t disengage.

Since these keys are specifically designed with unique serial numbers, it is almost impossible to copy them. They need to be reprogrammed in the case of an emergency.

VATS Keys

VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System) keys are the first type of electronic keys that provide a major improvement in vehicle safety compared to their predecessors.

They are electronically modified with in-built resistors so that when the key is inserted into the car’s ignition, an electrical current runs through the resistor.

If the current passing through the resistor matches the current on the receiving end, the car starts. If not, it doesn’t.

This makes them incredibly difficult to duplicate. In order to do so, a locksmith will need a VATS interrogator to determine the key’s resistance value and then make a copy.

Abloy keys

Abloy Key Systems offer a range of locking solutions for every need. These unique keys use cylinders, not pins, and have a unique cutting mechanism for making them which makes them very hard to copy them.

The CY110 patented cylinder can only be copied by authorised locksmiths with the right key-cutting tools, and that too by presenting the unique pin code and identification of the rightful owner.

Tubular Keys

Tubular keys are circular with a ring-shaped hole and a metal cylinder surrounding them. Compared to standard pin and tumbler systems where the key pins are moved vertically, the pins are pushed horizontally in tubular keys.

The keys have notches around each edge that correspond to a similarly shaped hole in the door’s keyway. To allow insertion, the notches have to line up, after which the key pins are depressed and aligned with the indentations and shear plane.

This design enables the pins to move at 360 degrees and makes them very difficult to pick. Often used on safes and bike locks, they are also extremely durable and duplicating them is incredibly difficult.

Internal Cut Keys

Internal cut keys, also called laser cut keys and sidewinder keys, have notches in their straight rectangular blade inside a curvy groove. These grooves are usually on both sides to allow the key to be inserted any way up.

Internal keys are quite durable and are not as susceptible to wear and tear as regular keys. Also, they are not easy to copy as they require a specific type of machine to cut them.

Four-Sided Keys

Four-sided keys, also called cruciform or cross keys, have a total of four sets of teeth that give them a cross-like appearance, especially if you look directly down at them.

They are extremely durable, and since they are designed to operate several pins at once, they are far more difficult to pick and copy. They can oftentimes be made as two-sided keys, with teeth on both the top and bottom.

“DO NOT DUPLICATE” VS RESTRICTED KEYS

Some keys can easily be copied while others cannot. There are also certain legal restrictions when it comes to copying certain types of keys.

“Do Not Duplicate” (DND) keys are keys stamped with these words which implies that copying them is not allowed. While this does deter some people from duplicating the keys, they are not exactly a foolproof security feature.

While certified locksmiths like the ones at Calder Security will never duplicate a Do Not Duplicate key without going through the proper process, many will do so without asking any questions, which makes DND keys a less secure option.

There are certain types of DND keys which are actually illegal to copy. They are called restricted keys and provide a much higher level of security for your homes and businesses.

Restricted keys are keys that can only be cut by authorised locksmiths with permission from an authorised person who manages the key system.

They are controlled for use and prevent people from getting duplicates cut at random key-cutting booths. The process of copying a restricted key is stricter and requires taking permission from the original locksmith or an authorised dealer.

Since restricted keys are often patent-protected and created using specialised equipment, duplicating them is very difficult, if not entirely impossible.

While this may seem like a hassle, the complex duplication process is important in order to preserve a high level of security and prevent the keys from being illegally copied.

KEYLESS DOOR ENTRY OPTIONS

Traditional keys and locks have been used for centuries to manage and control access through points of entry. With so many options to choose from, you can reinforce the physical security of your doors and windows by investing in the right locks and keys.

Although still the most popular form of access control, keys have their fair share of drawbacks. They are extremely easy to lose and there’s also a very high risk of them being stolen and copied, especially the unrestricted ones.

To overcome this issue, there is a way to eliminate the use of keys entirely and opt for a keyless door entry system instead.

Keyless entry systems, also called access control systems, are locking mechanisms that can be locked and unlocked without the need for a physical key.

They control, manage, and establish access permissions for users, granting access to authorised people, while restricting access to unauthorised ones.

The systems are made up of different components that include authenticators, readers, digital locks, and a control panel.

Since they eliminate the need for keys, they rely on alternative methods for granting and denying access, such as:

Access cards

These are usually the size of a credit card and can be inserted, swiped, or scanned using RFID technology to grant access through electronically-locked doors.

Keypad/Pin code

These systems work on the same principle as an ATM. They have a numeric keypad, using which you can enter the correct pin code to gain access.

Biometrics

One of the most secure keyless authentication methods, biometrics makes use of your unique identifiers such as fingerprints, retina scans, and facial recognition to grant or deny access.

Remote access/Smart locks

The most technologically advanced access control systems out there, smart locks allow you to use your smartphone, tablet, or computer to lock or unlock a door and access the system from a remote location.

ADVANTAGES OF KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEMS

The biggest benefit of using keyless entry systems is that you no longer have to rely on keys and worry about losing them. This is a huge sigh of relief for people who are prone to losing keys or have a number of keys to manage.

These systems also make it very difficult for intruders to gain access to your property as they use digital locks that are far more difficult to bypass than mechanical ones.

Keyless systems give you much more control and allow you to track access within your property. Since the systems have a control panel that logs in all the access attempts, you can know when someone is trying to get into your property.

Instead of handing out spare keys to your family members, cleaners, and workers, you can simply assign them unique codes. This way, you can also know exactly who it was in addition to knowing when.

What’s even better is that you can withdraw access much more easily by simply taking their credentials out of the system using a few taps or clicks on your smart device.

Using cloud technology, keyless entry systems allow controlling and monitoring access to properties from a remote location. You don’t have to be present inside or near your home or business to control the system.

It gives you the comfort of adding and removing access permissions, monitoring and tracking the access activity, and locking or unlocking the entire property with just a single switch – all from absolutely anywhere in the world!

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

Keys are an important security feature, which is why you must hire a professional to get them cut whilst maintaining the integrity of your door security.

At Calder Security, we have professional locksmiths catering to both residential and commercial security who can work on a wide range of keys and locking mechanisms.

We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA) since 1976 and can cut any type of key including cylinder keys, mortice keys, dimple keys, Mul-T-Lock keys, padlock keys, locker keys, and safe keys.

We possess the skill required in key cutting and our state-of-the-art digital key-cutting equipment allows us to cut virtually any domestic and commercial key to a high degree of accuracy in just a few minutes.

We can cut keys from existing keys, codes, and security cards, and thanks to our expert locksmiths and digital machinery, the copies are cut to the original key quality.

We have a Lock and Safe Shop in Wakefield where we offer key-cutting services while you wait, in addition to safe and lock sales.

Other than key-cutting services, our professional locksmiths are also able to work with a vast range of locking systems.

We are specialists in wooden, UPVC, and aluminium doors and the official suppliers for leading lock brands including Chubb, Yale, Securikey, and Garrison.

In addition to installation services, our professional locksmiths also offer repair services for when the locks become damaged or develop faults, and are also fully conversant in business master key systems.

Our qualified locksmiths have an in-depth knowledge of all kinds of locks and can often repair them on-site. We can also access locks that have become jammed, including safes, and can respond to your calls quickly which can be very useful if you’ve locked yourself out.

We also provide a complete solution for keyless entry systems for your home and business which includes professional installation, maintenance, and repair services.

We are SSAIB-approved installers and offer all types of access control systems including intercom, proximity fob, card swipe, and keypad. We also offer biometric systems that work with fingerprints or retina scans.

Photo by Jaye Haych on Unsplash