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Opening a Tubular Lock with a Toilet Roll
Radial locks that secure laptops and filing cabinets appear safe, but in practice, they turn out to be surprisingly vulnerable. In this article, I show how a simple piece of cardboard from a toilet roll, or even a straw, can be shaped into a tubular lockpick that can open such a lock without damage, and why this is an important lesson about physical security.
Author: Ties
Laptops and filing cabinets are sometimes secured with a cheap radial lock. With such a lock, a laptop can be attached to a desk or another object. Although these locks are presented as secure, in practice, they turn out to be relatively easy to open, sometimes even without specialized tools.
A surprising method uses a common object: a piece of cardboard from a toilet roll or even a straw. This technique requires some precision in preparation, but the result is remarkable.
What do you need?
- A cardboard toilet roll (or a straw)
- A pen (to shape it)
- Tape
How does it work?
- Cut a narrow strip from the toilet roll.
- Roll the cardboard tightly around a pen to form a sturdy cylinder.
- Secure the roll with tape so it retains its shape.
- Insert the cardboard roll into the Kensington lock.
- Move or twist slightly — and the lock can be opened without causing damage.
Why this is important
This shows how unreliable physical security can be. Good security does not come from secrecy, but from good design. By investigating and sharing these vulnerabilities within a responsible framework, both users and manufacturers can make better choices.
Opening the Lock with a Straw
Another creative solution is using a straw. A straw with a diameter of about 5mm can sometimes be large enough to fit into a small (cheap) radial lock. By inserting the straw into the lock and pressing the pins into the straw, you can create a second key.
Curious how that works? Then take a look at this video:
Professional solution
Although this method is creative, we recommend using a tubular lockpick set for training and professional purposes. These lockpicks are specifically designed for opening tubular locks like those used in radial locks. They offer more control and precision.
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