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'Sneakey' software can duplicate keys from images — even crummy ones
Computer programmers at UC San Diego have whipped up software that poses a serious threat. Called "Sneakey," it can use an image of a key from almost any angle to create an exact replica. It doesn't have to be a good image, either. Cellphone pictures work and, in a chilling example, the team successfully reproduced a key using a shot taken with a telephoto lens from 200 feet away.
"You only need to click a few control points in the image of the key and the 'Sneakey' program does the rest," programmer Benjamin Laxton told a UCSD reporter, "It normalizes the key's size and position so that each pixel then corresponds to a known distance. From this information the height of each of the key cuts can easily be computed and likewise the bitting code can be extracted."
It's devilishly simple, which is worrying. The "Sneakey" software was used last night as part of a presentation at the Conference on Communications and Computer Security, as an example of how new technology changes the game when it comes to security. What can you do to guard against it? Not much, save treat your keys like you do your credit card. Don't publicize its image, because that's all "Sneaky" and software like it would need.
Via UCSD
By EnOne at 12:18 PM ON 10/31/08
this becomes more interesting with the article from a couple of days ago about Diebold putting photos of the keys that unlock the electronic voting booths with their voting booth advertising. Could you also copy the keys from a video screen grab? that's pretty low resolution as well.
By Unique Gift Ideas at 12:29 PM ON 10/31/08
This is kind of.. freaky if you ask my opinion. It makes me wonder why one would go public with information, such as the development of a new program like Sneakey, when it could potentially cause a security crisis..
By EnOne at 1:52 PM ON 10/31/08
RE: Unique gift ideas
You go public with this information so people don't put pictures of their keys on flickr or other picture sharing sites.
By greatcomet at 2:09 PM ON 10/31/08
Now seriously,the people who need this technology are the people who cut keys at hardware store. These people have my key in their possession and still they can't give me a duplicate that works. LOL
By SiteSleuth at 2:16 PM ON 11/06/08
For more technical details the paper is available via one of the publishers websites:
By not real at 12:00 PM ON 11/11/08
I'm pretty sure I just don't believe this at all. Not very likely.
By bill at 2:54 PM ON 12/02/08
I see little difference between publicising this and the chortling idiots who hack your machine 'to prove that you need better security'. What benefit has this person generated?
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bill:
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