1. Introduction
This article discusses essential tips for securing your valuables while traveling, emphasizing the limitations of traditional luggage locks.
2. Understanding Luggage Security
So you’ve packed your bags for your upcoming travels and even brought along some valuables like your electronics and a few jewels. Not to worry: You have your trusty luggage lock, which should keep your stuff safe, right?
However, experts suggest that you may want to reconsider your travel safety precautions.
3. The Risks of TSA Locks
In 2014, several blogs, including Techlicious, noted that the Washington Post published a photo of TSA’s master keys (the image has since been removed). This published information provided potential thieves worldwide with the means to 3D print copies of those keys, granting them the ability to unlock any and all TSA-approved travel luggage locks ever made.
Ars Technica tested a 3D-printed version of those keys and demonstrated that they could easily access locked bags.
Moreover, even without advanced technology, these locks offer minimal actual protection. Any motivated thief can easily rip open your bag without breaking the lock, leaving no trace behind. All they need is a simple ballpoint pen.
As explained by WonderHowTo, a thief can simply move your luggage locks to the side of the bag, insert a pen tip along the seam of the zipper, and break the seam apart to open your bag. Once done, they can reseal the bag by bringing the zipper back around, thus allowing the zipper to self-heal, and you’ll realize all your belongings are missing only when it’s too late.
4. Best Practices for Protecting Your Valuables
So how can you truly protect your belongings while traveling? If you need to carry expensive gear, consider investing in a hard case and using your own high-security locks. However, keep in mind that TSA requires you to wait for your bags to go through the scanner at check-in before you can leave them unattended. Therefore, ensure you allow sufficient time at the airport. Alternatively, carrying your valuables on the plane with you is a much safer option.