> A curated list of awesome guides, tools, and other resources relating to the security and compromise of locks, safes, and keys.

[![Awesome](https://cdn.rawgit.com/sindresorhus/awesome/d7305f38d29fed78fa85652e3a63e154dd8e8829/media/badge.svg)](https://github.com/sindresorhus/awesome)
[![Build status](https://travis-ci.org/meitar/awesome-lockpicking.svg?branch=master)](https://travis-ci.org/meitar/awesome-lockpicking)

If you want to contribute, you are highly encouraged to do so. Please read the [contribution guidelines](CONTRIBUTING.md).

# Table of Contents

* [Books](#books)
* [Contests, conferences, and events](#contests-conferences-and-events)
* [How-to guides](#how-to-guides)
* [Locksport associations and organizations](#locksport-associations-and-organizations)
* [Online communities](#online-communities)
* [Vendors](#vendors)

# Books

* [Practical Lock Picking: A Physical Penetration Tester's Training Guide](https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Lock-Picking-Physical-Penetration/dp/1597496111/) - Detailed instructions and exercises designed for professional physical security specialists, consultants, and red teams.

# Contests, conferences, and events

* [Chaos Communications Congress (CCC)](https://www.ccc.de/) - CCC hosts the German Lockpicking Championships.
* [DEF CON](https://defcon.org/) - An annual infosec industry conference which is popular with many lockpickers featuring a locksport contest.
* [Hackers On Planet Earth (HOPE)](https://hope.net/) - An annual conference often featuring a locksport competition and presentations on physical security.
* [OzLockCon](https://ozlockcon.com/) - An open community event focusing on physical security in Australia, which hosts a lockpicking and handcuff evasion competition.

# How-to guides

* [Art of Lockpicking](https://art-of-lockpicking.com/) - Educational website with animations detailing the process of picking locks.
* [Beginner's Guide to Security Pins](http://www.ninjacache.com/secpins_intro) - Short article guiding beginners comfortable with picking padlocks towards an understanding of more complex locks.
* [Deviant Ollam's Lockpicking Video Presentations and Advisories](http://deviating.net/lockpicking/videos.html) - Collection of physec talks and locksport advice for all skill levels from a world-reknowned expert.
* [Easy Pickings - Mini Lockpicking Manual](http://index-of.es/Lockpicking/Easy%20Pickings%20-%20Mini%20Lockpicking%20Manual.pdf) - A widely-distributed beginner's manual with diagrams showcasing how to pick various entry-level locks.
* [MIT Lock Picking Guide](https://webunraveling.com/public/mit-lock-picking-guide/index.php) - A famous introductory text by Ted the Tool.
* [Lock Picking: Detail Overkill](http://ninjacache.com/data/uploads/lockpicking-detail-overkill.pdf) - Exceptionally thorough guide "for those who want more than just the basics."
* [LockLab's Lock Picking Course](http://lock-lab.com/locklab-university/lock-picking-course-2/) - A complete start-to-finish course from basic tensioning to speciality lock techniques.
* [Lockpicking Forensics](http://www.lockpickingforensics.com/) - A website "dedicated to the science and study of forensic locksmithing."

# Locksport associations and organizations

* [The Open Organization Of Lockpickers (TOOOL)](https://toool.org/) - Worldwide association of lockpickers with national, regional, and local chapters.
* [Locksport International](http://locksport.com) - International association of lockpickers who offer help starting new locksport clubs and groups.

# Online communities

* [Keypicking.com](https://keypicking.com/) - A bustling online forum for the discussion of lockpicking and locksport.
* [Lockpicking101.com](https://www.lockpicking101.com/) - One of the longest-running online communities "dedicated to the fun and ethical hobby of lock picking."
* [LockWiki](http://lockwiki.com/) - A community-driven reference for both beginners and professionals in the security industry.
* [/r/lockpicking Subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/) - A subreddit dedicated to the sport of lockpicking.

# Vendors

* [Safe Ventures, Inc.](http://safeventures.com/) - Retailer for safe-opening tools who also offer paid training courses.
* [Southern Ordinance, Inc.](https://www.southord.com/) - SouthOrd® is a manufacturer of lock picks and professional locksmith tools; individual replacement picks as low as $1.50 USD.
* [Southern Specialities](http://www.lockpicktools.com/) - Retailer of numerous lockpicking sets, pick guns, and more.