SECURITY TIPS

Picking: what it is and how to protect your home

Security tips from Mottura’s experts
2026-09-25
1 min read
 Mottura security tips Picking

How does lock picking work?

Picking (or lock picking) is one of the main break-in techniques used by burglars to force Europrofile lock cylinders with pin-and-spring mechanisms.

Using specialised tools such as lock picks and tension wrenches, the pins are manually manipulated to mimic the insertion of a key until they are aligned, thereby allowing the cylinder rotor to turn and the lock to open.

 

Anti-picking cylinders: what does this mean?

Some high-security cylinders are fitted with special anti-picking protection systems, as is the case with Mottura’s Champions® cylinders (if you’d like to find out more about this topic, read our dedicated leaflet).

To ensure the reliability of these systems, it is always advisable to choose cylinders that are certified to the leading international security standards and classified for their resistance to picking.

 

Are there any other cylinder protection devices available?

To add an extra layer of protection, we recommend that you also install a magnetic Defender® – an armoured guard that completely shields the cylinder using a steel plate that can only be unlocked with a special magnetic key.

 

How can you prevent lock picking on double-bitted locks?

The tool most commonly used by burglars to open double-bitted locks is the Bulgarian lock pick (or Bulgarian key). If you’d like to find out more about this topic, read our article on how to protect your lock from this tool.

Prodotti correlati

  • Europrofile Champions® Cylinders

    The range of Champions® security cylinders includes different cylinder models, each of which is characterized by particular technical qualities, different types of allowed key duplication and the numerous new applicable functions.

    Each set of keys, sealed at the origin, is accompanied by the personal ownership card to be showed while requesting key duplicates.

    The cylinders are divided into Silver Series (C10 and PRO/Modular), Gold Series (C28PLUS, C39 and CP6) and Platinum Series (C55 and C3D). All models have common safety features; furthermore, each cylinder is characterized by different mechanical systems, increasing the level of security, or in combination with each other to increase the level of complexity of the cylinder itself.

    All Champions® Europrofile security cylinders are certified according to the UNI EN 1303 standard at the highest achievable levels, including resistance to Bumping, Picking and Tracing manipulation techniques.

  • Magnetic Defenders®

    Magnetic Defenders® add an additional level of protection for your security door lock compared to traditional mechanical models. A special cover completely seals the keyway and can only be rotated to show the keyhole using a special magnetic key. Only once the cover is fully rotated can the key be inserted to open the door. 

    The magnetic Defender® is the best form of protection against acid attacks, as well as against break-in attempts such as the use of a drill, pick, percussion blows and extraction of the cylinder rotor.

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