Should You Use an Addalock While Traveling? (Probably Not.)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Look... I'm not saying that the Addalock is awful. I'm just saying, it's probably not as good as many people seem to think it is.
Could there be other styles of door lock in hotels where it's a lot more useful? Sure. And are we perhaps missing the point that the Addalock (along with many kinds of "quick install traveler door security devices") is more of a "communicating" product than a true "security" product? Yes.
But that conflation is the real problem in the marketplace. Folk think these are made to stop a determined, dangerous threat actor. They are not. The Addalock and other items like it are generally made to prevent accidental barging-in by a staff member who doesn't see your Do Not Disturb sign.
My main lesson: Use this for what it's designed to do in places where it's designed to fit. And don't try to use it as something it's not. 👍
- -- ----- ----------
Sign up for give-away drawings here...
deviating.net/...
I'm on the Fediverse. When Twitter dies completely that's the best place to find me...
defcon.social/...
I still have my Twitter account. I mostly use it for making fun of Twitter...
/ deviantollam
I'm also on Instagram. I mostly use it for liking my friends' photos...
/ deviantollam
This is my GitHub. I post my design files there...
github.com/dev...
This is my personal web site. Most things i create wind up online...
deviating.net
This is my company. We're good at stuff...
enterthecore.net
This is where I train. Come and learn badass skills...
redteamallianc...
- -- ----- ----------
Definitely made for resadental applications. Its more than likely trying to market to short term rental (airbnb, verbo, etc.) people but Chinese companies don't see that distinction.
the issue is home door frames (in the usa) are so weak... that won't keep anyone out...
you should see the door locks and frames in Germany.. they will stop a tank.
Doesn't work in the UK on any doors I tried it on. Might work in a hotel where non-standard mechanisms are in place but in the bedroom for example in a B&B would be horrendous.
@@zbeast These are less about protecting against a determined attack, but rather to make it more difficult for someone who may have a copy of a key to a shared space to intrude while you are in it. I think it does fine for this exact niche.
I guess the next question is: would you use this if they made a version that is bigger and fits on hotel doors?
I was gonna ask, is this vid is a cry for help about him having a creepy roommate, maybe a double-agent for the TSA.
There are other double ended versions that do fit the larger commercial latches and are made from thicker metal plates. That being said I left mine behind in the UK when I took this side trip to Africa I am now on. Proper door fitment is also a factor in how ineffective these can be. Forced entry is not what I normally use these type devices for. I find them better for reducing the chance of people with a key from quietly opening the door.
It would still have the inherent flaw of being able to be muscled open, it fails at its function.
From my opsec years, i still use a big rubber wedge in the botom of the door and 3d printed wedges on the sides, most of the hotel doors do have a spring, with 1 meter of paracord tighly tied on the spring arm you'll have more luck coming through the wall than the door..
Dorm room maybe, internal room in a hotel suite, or a bed and breakfast. Those are the ones that come to mind where this might fit.
Parent's house, your house, offices
I look forward to the TSA stories!
Got curious about these right before Defcon. Thanks for sharing and doing a demo!
These things have been around in different forms for quite a while. They're basically supposed to replace a privacy lock. If you're in a hostel or some other shared environment and either don't have a lockable door, or don't trust the person with the key, then you can use this for a level of extra security.
Personally I own one of these, I used it on the door of my study while I worked from home - to stop my kids barging in whenever they felt like it. I've since just replaced it with a privacy locking handle.
Tonight I logged in to my favourite podcast, Darknet Diaries and saw it was with you!! Loved it, two of my favourite people, you and Jack Rhysider together!
yes, i heard that the episode dropped right when i was giving a keynote at a conference, hehe
I could see that this would be a good tool for roommate situations where the bedroom doors do not have any lock function and rental rules prevent changing the knob or adding an interior latch. Maybe your roommates are creeps, or you want some privacy for sexy time. This would "add a lock" to a door that doesn't come equiped.
If the rules prevented me from being able to lock the door to my room (especially when in it and, oh, say, sleeping) I would not live there.
i wonder how it's supposed to work? like, even if it was ment for a smaller residencal door, I can't seem to figure out what it would improve in a situation where the door lock itself fails.
the entire thing looks like someone just pre-installing a door shim
It doesn't rely on the latch or knob mechanism at all. In fact, you could install this on a door with no lock, latch, or knob and it would still work. As long as the strike plate is installed it will work.
@@oldscratch3535 Do you mind explaining how it works? I'm really struggling to get my head around it. I don't see how putting a thin plate between the door and the strike plate does anything.
@Roman Giertych The flat metal plate inserts between the door and has 2 little fingers that intrude into the strike plate. You then close the door which secures the flat plate. It can't be pulled out except by opening the door. The red triangle looking portion that is chained to the flat plate has a mechanism similar to a door chain on it. That protruding stud hooks into the plate which holds the red portion against the door thereby preventing it from being opened from either side. You'd have to physically destroy the strike plate to open the door.
That's why the door doesn't need a knob or latch in order for this to work. It's just blocking the door from opening. Look up a video if you still don't understand.
@@oldscratch3535BINGO.
@@romangiertych5198Here's Addalock man himself installing it: ua-cam.com/video/kPel7RwTZQM/v-deo.html
There are versions that have the larger opening for commercial locks.
I'll take a trusted friend pulling security or even a 29¢ fork over that.
Trusted friend with a long range lead poisoning device is preferred, ideal case is when they never know you were there.
I think if you modified it to fit it to where the latch engages you might have something.
After watching your video I looked for others using it in a lock with a more suitable latch, and found this video in a channel called "Make it or Break it" that shows a different style lock which does have the option to use on a wider latch.
Not sure if linking here works:
ua-cam.com/video/_a10de6G1kI/v-deo.html
I would highly recommend a product called ‘Door Jammer’ it sit under the door & lifts it with a screw out foot into the top of the frame wedging it, I’ve used it for months on ferry’s & it does work…… but obviously isn’t impenetrable!
There exists a version with a bigger hole for bigger bolts. I own the one for those style of bolts used by the door shown in the video.
My bone with this device is that it could impede ability to exit in a panic.
The only use case I can think of is turning a non locking residential door into a locked door.
that is one use case, for sure
I’d try cutting the metal so that instead of a hole for the throw, it would be more of a hook. Ideally, you’d probably want more metal on the other side, but it would make it so that it would fit in both the smaller residential locks and the more robust hotel throws.
Wow for the Nieves it’s scary 😟
I could see using it in an air-bnb. Extra lock on the room you're sleeping in.
I think the dinner fork version would probably have more of an effect in this scenario
Casually drops that hes visiting the pentagon for business. neat. Was the internal pizza place worth it?
Everyone asks about the Sbarro's 😁
Incoming 3d printed better quality one next week?
i’ve heard of people using spoons, i think a quick review of that would be cool too
I'm pretty sure it was a fork...but that DIY fork version seems better than this thing!!
Airbnb's?
Seems like a chair or board propped under the door handle would work better.
Knows it doesn't fit - continues experiments otherwise. Genius.
I know I don't need i tell you this, but for everyone else: skip the toys and stay armed.
Atkins diet assed logo
opps
Can I unsub from the giveaway just for this one :)
i always email winners and let them know and sometimes folk will say "i already own that" or "i can't make use of that" and i'll send them stickers or something instead
Naomi.. cringe.
that's my friend you're talking about so i'd appreciate some context if you please
Of course it doesn't work b/c its not for commercial style door mechanisms. Its for residential use on doors that don't have locks or for extra reinforcement.
This is like complaining that your Corolla won't make it through a mud hole in the woods. Well, its not made for that so your complaints are irrelevant.
It's the "bonus bendy bits" that make Addalock more than just a lock!
Id *TRY* that for a dollar 💵
Its definitely for residential use. The first time I saw it used was for a person whose landlord wouldn't give notice or knock.
Man that sounds like a good way to get shot... jus sayin 😂
I agree that these are for semi-residential/house share type stuff like vrbo, airbnb, etc.
Would really love to see the company respond to this with a commercial product. Thanks Dev!
If I’m not mistaken, you’ve demoed a strap that works way better and travels better as well!
That exclamation when you "busted" that door open was priceless.
😮
I also love the confidence with which Dev just smashes the door open. "Wrong way, but faster" for sure! haha
When our building at work started doing active shooter lock down exercises and hiding in board rooms and under desks became a thing. I thought something like this would at least be a slight deterrent to someone. Those doors don’t have locks on them so barricading and improvised weapons. So that might be a use case if it fits the locks etc.
This feels like an add-a-lock-to-a-door-without-one kind of product. Useless as real security, but it does give defense against someone snooping around.
After some active shooter training at work, one of the offices installed a simple slider like on an old bathroom stall. It was removed a week later because it was deemed a safety hazard in case of a fire.
I have a couple of these I found on blamazon that are made of only the highest quality Chinesium. But the metal anchor bit is double sided. One side fits residential door latches, the other fits most hotel deadbolts I've encountered. However, I still don't trust it on its own. I'm at least pairing it with the strap. My mentality is that it's not great on its own, just another layer of security. "Apes together strong." and all that.
Sharing a place temporarily and locking your room 'at night' where you can't just install locks this makes sense, my teenage self would have liked this product ;)
One place that adalock design might come in useful is in older motels where they still hand out keys with room number fobs on them. There are still a few. Considering they are essentially using a master key for the housekeepers, I wouldn't expect them to be secure locks, and if the door still has one of these lockset in them, It's almost guaranteed to be a door that's over 40 years old, so I also wouldn't expect the fitment to be all that great. in which case the adalock might be the only thing that keeps the dead latch 'latched'. But I wouldn't recommend those motells for a secure environment in any case. The can be quite nice rooms from a place to settle in for the night though. To each his own.
I have a different brand that is a little different. It just has a L shaped thing that goes into the strike plate so the bolt doesn't have to pass through anything. It likely still can be brute forced but then anything can be opened with enough force so I don't think that is a show stopper.
That seems it would have similar issues with tolerance if the door is fitted so it just latches (to avoid the deadlatch going into the hole too)
So the Addalock might be good if you're staying in an AirBnB
I see these recommended on those "things you should take with you when traveling" articles, but this video confirms my thoughts on it. I have one of the Super Grip Straps that Dev has mentioned in the past.
Most small cheap Motel's here in south Florida still have residential door handles and locks... I could see it working in that sort of environment
I used to have a version of that where it was a basic L-profile that had holes going down the langer arm, the short end would go into the frame latch hole and after the door was closed a pin would go into the closest hole to the door. Worked pretty well... but again that only works where the frame holes are mismatched to the door bolts and latches.
Products for people who are paranoid
Good for Air BnB probably
Its one of those "protect your rented home from nosey landlords" type products. But it only works while you are in the building. If you have a problem with a landlord coming in while you are there then you have bigger issues and should move ASAP.
"While Travling"...
HA.. never happens...
AirBNB's and when I travel internationally many places I stay use residential style locks.
If the hole was able to accommodate the deadbolt, would it be a good product?
Read it as, 'Should You Use an Adblock While Traveling? (Probably Not.)'...
Hah... Indeed, one should always use AdBlock plugins 👍😉👍
It’s not well suited for the hotel doors with the super wide tongue on the latch. Where it is good is in an Air B&B where your door has normal home-style latch that absolutely fits through that hole.
I think this is mainly aimed towards air bnb users
would make a lot more sense there, yes
I had one like that ages ago. I live in the UK it was shocking. Unless you live in a giant house made for biblical entities, it fits nothing at all in the home, here. It's far too huge. I have a plastic Howsar lock which works great but it's not going to prevent anyone getting in if they force it, because the plastic hook is the only thing keeping the door closed. So similarly to you busting through, you could no doubt do the same with a Howsar lock, but at least it should make a noise and be detectable if someone tries to force entry. So I keep one in my laptop ataché case just in case one day before I die of old age, I decide to ever travel or go on holiday and I want that little bit of extra time/alerting. I do not like to sleep, knowing either a friend or foe could be in a room with me while I am unconscious.
This product looks like a moderately good idea coupled with poor execution. That metal strip seems like it's pretty flexible - in fact at the end of the video, it's clearly got a good wobble going. I'm betting that even if it were solidly retaining the door (ignoring traveler hook bypass), an air shim could create enough force to bend the metal completely out of the way.
👍🏻
👍
these are good for hotels with old doors, like the type we have in britain, and they work enough with the right latches. I use one in my home bedroom, and I take one with me when I travel because in the UK the lodging style hotels just have home style doors.
i think it’s also meant for more residential untrustworthy properties
You're lucky to have such an accommodating wife!
Wait, so if the deadbolt isn't thrown in commin hotel locks you don't even have the "normal" protection of the locking handle latch?!
Wouldn't it be fine if it stopped the handle latch if you're throwing the deadbolt anyway? The handle isn't really the part that's securing the door anyway. So wouldn't the addalock, in addition to the deadbolt, actually be more secure? I am honestly curious about this.
I went to the website to see if they had a comparable product for hotels, but it seems like it's just that one model. I don't know why they wouldn't just manufacture a plate with a hole for a commercial size door. 🤷♂
Definitely residential applications bro thanks for all the info bro
This could be good for airbnb type stuff or just smaller hotels and motels, but it should really just come with both strike plate options
Hello, is there a bigger version? If not contact the company and show them this video.
This is great but it did not work in the UK. I had the same problem!
These types of locks aren't worth spit, anywhere. When I was teaching at the university here, I looked for something that would lock a classroom door from the inside, in case we had an active shooter situation. (Classroom doors have no user-lockable locks on that campus.) I bought one of these and tested it with a student out in the hall. I installed the device per the instructions. He wasn't a huge guy, probably 6' and 180 lbs, but that lock bent all to pieces under a not-so-large amount of pressure from him and he was through the door inside 10 seconds. There are other better solutions.
hmmmm, why wouldn't you place it in the door latch hole and throw the deadbolt? Slightly more secure I suspect? I think though I saw another iteration of this product with two holes and one was a bigger deadbolt hole. Still not sure if it was a big enough mod to fit that particular lock set though.
I tend to use the 'old wooden wedge'.
On a slightly odd note I knew someone who used to hang the 'do not disturb' sign on his door (which attracts wankers like flies to shit), and he'd place a pistol holster on the bed - in plain view, just the holster... he never carried a gun. He would then get two wire coat hangers hang one from the other and then from the showerhead and run the shower. So, a wanker slips a UDT under the door and enters, they hear the shower they see the empty holster... train of thought is "Who the fuck takes a pistol to the shower with them?" or "Has someone just off'd themselves in the shower and I've left prints & DNA all over the place?"
I think the market for this thing is teenagers whose parents will not give them a lock to keep out younger siblings.
(My go to response when someone exclaims "fuck me " is no thanks, your not my type. As that was your SO, OK would probably be better.)
You're using an addalock locking mechanism.
It can be easily bypassed by a foot
My guess was going to be that it widened a gap to reach the latch from behind but we didn't even make it that far!! lololol
A video from devi AND we get to see the sexy cyborg, clearly we've hit the jackpot 😂
Love the missus exclamation, I'm sure that happened.
Maybe the opening for in the door can be made bigger, use a grinder or a file. How about just using rubber door wedges?
Why not put into the latch? At least you can still have dead bolt… and the addalock would work as the latch?
"Ahh, f me!" lol
Just use a crescent wrench and a roap on the dead bolt for less than five bucks been doing it for years
Might work in some small shady motels... but otherwise seems to be a pos.
I thought I was going crazy! Worked on my apartment… not a hotel
Would work in old hotels that still use actual keys but worthless for a bunch of places.
I could see it as a little extra if your worried about getting your door kicked in
I use something similar for Airbnb type stays.
Good to know that this useless product is patented 😂
Flea bag motels often still have the smaller latches
You can make these out of a regular fork and they actually work 😂
its a good idea, but failure of execution
I made one with a dinner fork, does the job.
Love the entrance. Fuck me!
cheapo hotel/motel room, or AirBNB for sure. I think there is something to be said for needing to BASH through it. If a sketchy AirBNB host tries to sneak in and hits the addalock, or worse muscles through it and makes a racket, it is SOMETHING for at-risk people.
precisely
No don’t work
Use AddBlock!
Removalock
Use it at the no tell motel
It might work on an airb&B.
Not so effective 😅 great video!
🐈⬛🐾🐈🐾👏👏👏👏🍻