High-definition cameras and 3D printers have let us carry out all kinds of projects, but one of the most striking and controversial is key cloning. The first time we talked about this was in was in 2016, and a year later “attacks” on complex standards began, but if you truly want to duplicate a basic key, perhaps a smartphone and the KeyDecoder app for Android will suffice.
In November 2014, a Washington Post article about the US TSA's work gave an invaluable gift to hobbyists: a high-definition photo of seven of the eight master keys the agency uses to inspect luggage. That enabled their duplication with 3D printers, and although you can now buy the entire set online, the incident reminded us that security failures can come from the least expected places.
So, it's a terrible idea to take HD photos of a key and publish them on the web... but that doesn't stop you from experimenting at home. All you need to run the test using one of your personal keys (and I emphasize “your-personal-keys”) is to reproduce its cut accurately enough, and that's where an Android app called KeyDecoder comes in.
KeyDecoder helps you duplicate keys using photos
Now, the first thing to understand about KeyDecoder is that it doesn't work casually; it requires a very well-prepared environment. First, the key must be out of the keychain, still, and on a flat surface, and second, we need to place an ISO/CEI 7810 ID-1 card (like a credit card) to serve as background and scale. This step is essential: the card must measure exactly 85.60 by 53.98 millimeters, otherwise the error margins will be too wide.
After taking the photo, the rest is a matter of using the interface to crop out all the excess, define the “back” and the “shoulder” of the key, and add points at the center of each cut to obtain its dimensions. Many experts claim that if a key can be copied this way, then its lock is vulnerable to low-complexity attacks like “bumpkeys” or “jigglers”, but if the idea is to learn and not to harm, KeyDecoder should be useful.
Official site: Click here
KeyDecoder on Google Play Store: Click here
