Practical Lock Picking: A Physical Penetration Tester’s Training Guide
For the first time, Deviant Ollam, one of the security industry’s best-known lockpicking teachers, has assembled an instructional manual geared specifically toward penetration testers. Unlike other texts on the subject (which tend to be either massive volumes detailing every conceivable style of lock or brief « spy manuals » that only skim the surface) this book is for INFOSEC professionals that need essential, core knowledge of lockpicking and seek the ability to open most locks with relative ease. Deviant’s material is presented with rich, detailed diagrams and is offered in easy-to-follow lessons which allow even beginners to acquire the knowledge very quickly. Everything from straightforward lockpicking to quick-entry techniques like shim
List Price: $ 34.95
Price: $ 34.95
No key will ever look the same,
Practical Lock Picking (PLP) is an awesome book. I don’t provide physical testing services, but as a security professional familiar with Deviant’s reputation I was curious to read PLP. Not only is PLP an incredible resource, it should also serve as a model text for others who want to write a good book. First, although the book is less than 250 pages, it is very reasonably priced. Second, Deviant wastes NO space. There is no filler material, background found in other readily available texts, reprinted Web site content, etc. Third, the writing is exceptionally clear and methodical, with extreme attention to detail and a master’s approach to educating the reader. Finally, the diagrams, pictures, and figures are superb. When necessary they convey the most subtle elements of lock or key design, and they are the appropriate size and clarity. Overall, this book is helpful for those wishing to pick locks AND those who want to know how to write a good book.
I got the sense while reading PLP that the author was unveiling a hidden world, albeit a world hiding in plain sight. I found myself walking around the house to find keys and locks to compare with the book’s descriptions. Features to which I had previously been completely oblivious jumped out in stark contrast. In that respect PLP exceeded one of my criteria for a five star book: « change the way I think about the world. »
Let me conclude by saying I loved this book, and felt motivated by its contents, without even opening the DVD. I am confident anyone with an inquisitive mind will love reading PLP. Bravo to Deviant for sharing his knowledge in such a convincing and powerful way.
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|Great reference for the pentester,
This is a fantastic book to have on the bookshelf for those who do penetration testing. It’s also a great foray into the principles of lock design, arming consumers with the knowledge of what they are getting when they pick up a lock off the shelf. Having been fortunate enough to receive some personal instruction from the author at a security conference, I can say that he transcribed his classroom instruction quite well to his book. I paid retail for the book, and feel it’s worth every penny.
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|THE Lockpicking Reference,
It’s not often that a Master Lock picker will sit down with you and cover everything from A to Z. This book provides EVERYTHING a beginner needs and becomes an excellent reference for a seasoned picker like myself. Sure, I don’t need to read it from front to back – that’s not the point of the book. What I do NEED it for is when I run up against a lock I haven’t done before or can’t remember the best way to defeat it. This book is the ultimate every answer.
If you are just getting into picking or if you’ve been doing it for a long time, you need to pick this book up!
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