Electronic Safe observation
Last night I was watching one of these shows on Court TV called Tiger Team. In this show they are hired to attempt to defeat various security systems by the company's that own them to test out there system and to then make improvements
In this episode they were attempting to break into a Diamond Jewelry maker.
The interesting part here as it pertains to us was the method they used to get into the safe once they got past all the other security. It was your typical Safe with the Electronic Keypad just like a Gun safe. The round keypad with digital display.
What they did was they dusted the thing for prints. And this allowed them to determine which of the numbers were repeatedly depressed. So they could then narrow it down to the four (or whatever) numbers that they knew the combination must consist of. Of course then they had to methodically try all combinations of those.
The safe was, as typical, set to lock up for 15 minutes after four attempts with wrong numbers. So this they could wait out, unless they got lucky.
But while they waited they simply looked up personal information and looked for those four numbers. Which they quickly discovered that the guys Daughters birthday consisted of. So they tried that and presto... they are in.
So this brings up a couple things to be aware of. The choice of Combination number for one. And the ease at which people can also get your Birthday, Anniversary, kids Birthday... etc. And why not to use those for combinations.
Also brings up one more weakness of Electronic Keypads. The ability to narrow it down to the numbers by keypad wear and use.
Just thought I should mention it. The guys on the Tiger Team recommended traditional Dial locks and even double Dial Locks.
However I think you can make your E Lock safer of you know these tricks.