That TSA-approved lock on your suitcase just got hacked

[Eugene]

Source: Computerworld/IDG News Service

That TSA-approved lock on your suitcase just got hacked

If the lock is 'TSA recognized,' the master keys are out
there for anyone to copy

By Katherine Noyes
IDG News Service | Sep 11, 2015 12:48 PM PT

It's a basic fact of life that once you publish something on the Internet, it's pretty much impossible to get it back. Now illustrating that point with painful clarity, images of the TSA's master luggage keys have been published online, meaning that anyone with a 3D printer can make their own.

It all started when The Washington Post published a story last November about "the secret life of baggage" that was reportedly accompanied -- only briefly -- by a photo of the master keys the Transportation Security Administration uses to open what it calls "TSA recognized" luggage locks.

The photo was hastily taken down, but -- predictably -- not before it was snagged and circulated. Reports about the leak began to appear last month, but it wasn't until this week that detailed blueprints showed up on GitHub.

"Security researchers have long warned of the dangers of using master-keyed locks," wrote Xyl2k, the GitHub user who posted the detailed plans.

Now, anyone with a 3D printer can create their own copies of the TSA master keys -- and create them they have, according to reports from exuberant users.

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Read more: http://www.computerworld.com/article/2983558/security/that-tsa-approved-lock-on-your-suitcase-just-got-hacked.html

[HassleCat]

1. Use it anyway

If you use a TSA lock, someone with a master key may open it and steal your stuff. That's unlikely, since your luggage is not exposed too much once you give it to the airline. If you use a lock TSA can't open, make sure you submit your bag for inspection at one of the TSA baggage stations on lobby floor. That way, you can open your bag if they ask you, ad then lock it again. If your bag goes down below, and TSA cannot open your lock, they will break into your bag some other way, usually by inserting a ball point pen into the zipper teeth. The truth is, the lock keeps out casual thieves, but not anyone determined to get your stuff. Your best bet is to use the TSA lock.