Should You Use an Addalock While Traveling? (Probably Not.)
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- 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. 👍
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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.
It's the "bonus bendy bits" that make Addalock more than just a lock!
Id *TRY* that for a dollar 💵
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..
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.
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
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.
Would really love to see the company respond to this with a commercial product. Thanks Dev!
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 ;)
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.
If I’m not mistaken, you’ve demoed a strap that works way better and travels better as well!
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 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.
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.
I used a similar one for an airbnb home but not tried on a hotel. Thnx for the info.
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!
In Asia I've frequently had hotel rooms with residential style locks, and this could be useful, going to give it a try.
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
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.
Got curious about these right before Defcon. Thanks for sharing and doing a demo!
I like the Super Grip Lock! Its velcro and travels easy, and works well at least. 🤠👍
There are some that are made with larger rectangular openings for commercial locks/deadbolts so just watch what you buy.
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.
AirBNB's and when I travel internationally many places I stay use residential style locks.
There are versions that have the larger opening for commercial locks.
I could see using it in an air-bnb. Extra lock on the room you're sleeping in.
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
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.
I think this is mainly aimed towards air bnb users
would make a lot more sense there, yes
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'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.
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
If the hole was able to accommodate the deadbolt, would it be a good product?
So the Veritas screw-doorstop does that job, just somewhat better, although on tiles is probably not great. Sorry didn't get photos of the cool door latches on my recent trip, but you are not kidding when you say that Europe takes door security very differently than North America. We stayed in a place that had a weird "self throwing" latch that you needed to hold the key under a certain level of tension to open, but as soon as you over-turned, the bolts would throw back into place, and had 20mm pins into the jam on the hinge side, nothing short of a charge was taking that door down.
Definitely residential applications bro thanks for all the info bro
My bone with this device is that it could impede ability to exit in a panic.
that response for a burley bearded fellow busting through the door can either be the proper one or very wrong
Maybe the opening for in the door can be made bigger, use a grinder or a file. How about just using rubber door wedges?
I use something similar for Airbnb type stays.
Yes I had one these on my House front door, in the morning I could see someone tried to jimmy the door open as the lock was bent but it still kept the door closed so they didnt get in, thank you door lock
Flea bag motels often still have the smaller latches
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
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.
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 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!
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)
I don’t even understand what it’s SUPPOSED to do… how does it work, aside from whether or not it actually does
Products for people who are paranoid
"Picked it up from some damn vendor"...YOU'RE WELCOME! 😁
I could see it as a little extra if your worried about getting your door kicked in
I wonder if that’s for hotels in China. But I haven’t been back in a while and I thought the commercial deadbolts in China were also way larger that that hole. However I do remember cheap motels in China using cheaper-than-residential locks, in some places.
It might work on an airb&B.
This is great but it did not work in the UK. I had the same problem!
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
I think if you modified it to fit it to where the latch engages you might have something.
If you could engage a deadbolt, what would be the use of this thing anyway? Isn't it supposed to prevent the door to be opened _after_ somebody defeated the deadbolt somehow?
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. 🤷♂
that tool looks like it would only work on normal house door bolts, at least I've never seen that style outside homes and some businesses, but most hotels, big industrial buildings etc etc won't use those as shown here.
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.
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.
Good video and feedback. Maybe the makers can do a 2.0 version
I think the dinner fork version would probably have more of an effect in this scenario
You can DIY a similar device using a single dinner fork that I’d like to bet works way better….but if the firk should jam you’ll be quite stuck
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.
Hello, is there a bigger version? If not contact the company and show them this video.
There are some that have both residential and commercial sized holes.
Use it at the no tell motel
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?!
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.
The only use I can see for a product like this and it's not really security, is to help prevent toddlers from escaping the room. My little one loves opening doors and at every hotel we've stayed at he's been able to open the door at least partially with the swing guard engaged and this causes a pinch hazard for tiny hands. A device like this at least keeps the door closed so the toddler can't open it even a little bit until they figure out how mom/dad disengages it and then all hope is lost.
Interesting. I wonder if the DoorJammer (and it's Chinese copies ofc) are any better.
In cheap budget hotels, I can see them being useful, there is another version with a wing nut,I am interested in.
Would work in old hotels that still use actual keys but worthless for a bunch of places.
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.
Good for Air BnB probably
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.
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 think it’s also meant for more residential untrustworthy properties
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.
I must be missing something, if it's placed on the latch you can just push down the handle and then push the door open since its just the red triangle that is preventing the door from opening. And if it's on the deadbolt the only difference would be that red triangle from preventing access?
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.
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?"
The lock in the video has a "KARA" stamp... Which reminds me of the video from a while ago that has me slowly working on preparing better, is she doing alright since the last update?
ah yes... the hardware on this door is from Kaba but yes i've been meaning to offer a Kara update soon
So the Addalock might be good if you're staying in an AirBnB
Why not put into the latch? At least you can still have dead bolt… and the addalock would work as the latch?
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
Read it as, 'Should You Use an Adblock While Traveling? (Probably Not.)'...
Hah... Indeed, one should always use AdBlock plugins 👍😉👍
I have heared reccomendations of the use of a door stop (or a matress for more extreme circumstances) for hotel security, never actually tested it, but that might be something interesting to see. Probaby floor surface dependent.
They also make the door stop alarms.
Dev actually made a video that includes the doorstop, it's called "Hotel Room Security... Putting Teeth into your Do Not Disturb Sign!" ua-cam.com/video/7TgOOYnde5Y/v-deo.html
@@sirgarberto I remember that video but didn't like the setup. I felt like the little spike was only appropriate for carpeted floors. I think the strap @Deviant demoed(and uses regularly from the sound of it) is the best device he demoed. There is a card that can hang over doors that I like better but it isn't sold anymore. There is a 3D printable version though. Can't link in comments. Maybe I can find it and see if he want's to try it.
Which is cheaper, the addalock when it can be used properly, or having to deal with a self defense situation?
nice video good example
Not so effective 😅 great video!
🐈⬛🐾🐈🐾👏👏👏👏🍻
I thought I was going crazy! Worked on my apartment… not a hotel
Love the missus exclamation, I'm sure that happened.
single room hostels, where they tend not to have locks on the doors?
yeah not a bad thing to have there
You can make these out of a regular fork and they actually work 😂
You know they make two different sizes of this thing, right?
i can't find the other size on their "official" site but i've seen clones of this product that appear to accommodate the hotel locks a lot better
@@DeviantOllam They did at one point. I had made a similar discovery on a trip and was going to also order the larger one but then realized that was kind of a waste. Instead I ordered a two pack of a double-ended knockoff product with one end larger than the other. Works the same way but can be used on either residential or commercial doors. I used to end up in hotels that often had adjoining rooms so needed two of these anyway, which is why I bought what I bought. The Addalock would usually fit the adjoining room door, but never properly on the main entry door due to the larger latch bolt, part of what prompted me to buy a comparable product instead.
And I just went back to their website and checked again. Seems they only make the one size now, and they highlighted the issue you pointed out by saying that it doesn't matter if the latch fits through the hole. So, I guess they don't see it as a problem? I do, but its' their product so it must be an issue to them.
Knows it doesn't fit - continues experiments otherwise. Genius.
Airbnb's?
Wow for the Nieves it’s scary 😟
Seems like a chair or board propped under the door handle would work better.