Comments on: 50 Ways to Fail at Security

By: Steve H

Steve H — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:25:21 +0000

These pictures are great, I have seen stuff like these first hand.

By: Roger

Roger — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:05:05 +0000

I wouldn’t be so sure the anti-climbing paint has failed. Anti-climbing paint (basically, paint which has no setting agent, so it stays “wet” for years) has two functions:
1. It is slippery, and therefore very difficult to climb on; and
2. It very messily marks anyone who tries.
Because of point 2 it is normally only installed well above head height, but in some cases it may be installed at ground level (e.g. to stop pedestrians running across railway tracks and trying to vault a fence in the middle.) In that case, to provide some deterrence, and to stop people accidentally ruining their clothes, a warning sign should be posted — as has been done here.

So in this case someone has grasped the painted railings, got paint on their hands, and tried to wipe it off on any suitable surface — in this case, the sign. Perhaps they tried to climb the gate but it seems more likely that the person in question didn’t realise that “anti-climbing paint” means “wet paint, do not touch.”. So, the sign was badly worded and is a warning fail. However there is nothing to suggest that the paint failed to prevent climbing.

By: James

James — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:15:28 +0000

lol, no problem PohTayToez…we certainly could have made it more clear when we wrote it. We welcome the suggestions! Thanks for your thoughts!

By: PohTayToez

PohTayToez — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:02:36 +0000

**Just noticed that’s exactly what you said. I guess I should have read the next sentence after that paragraph before replying.

By: PohTayToez

PohTayToez — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:01:35 +0000

It regards to the one that “stumped” you, I’m pretty sure that rig isn’t meant to keep anyone in OR out. My guess would be that the door latch is broken, and someone did that just to keep the door from swinging open while driving.

By: James

James — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:12:19 +0000

Hi Michael, I am a fan of mountain biking but I would still consider myself a beginner. I had NO idea that the wheels alone on some bikes could cost hundreds or thousands on higher end models! No wonder ‘wheels’ get stolen so often…easy to grab most of the time, risk is relatively low and the reward has the slight potential to be high…

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:40:57 +0000

One of the bike pictures is of a Specialized mountain bike frame of some kind. You made some comment about how perhaps the thieves were desperate to try and sell the bike seat.

Not so.

From the picture, this looks like a fairly decent model. And if the owner had made any upgrades, my point is even more valid. A decent set of wheels can bring several hundred dollars easily, on their own. When you get towards the higher end, wheel sets can run into the thousands of dollars. So, all in all, a pretty juicy target for thieves, and very important to lock up.

Also, you may not have noticed, but the damage is worse than that. It looks like the chainstays are broken from the frame entirely, and one may actually be missing. That frame is damaged beyond repair. All the owner can salvage at this point is the lock.

By: James

James — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:12:41 +0000

Hi Bill – The insurance/British Standard requirements for failed fire alarm systems is really quite interesting. Thanks for sharing!

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:06:39 +0000

Your UK fire Alarm #fail – the pic that shows note saying Shout “Fire, Fire, Fire” is actually an insurance company and British Standard failover requirement – when a fire alarm system fails in a building deemed to require one, something called manual fire watch has to kick in – effectively, manual fire warden patrol, AND signs advising people to be aware – the shout “fire fire fire” is designed to attract the attention of the warden, and the 999 call for the emergency services – well, that *should* say from the nearest safe location – e.g. outside the building on fire…..it seems funny, but not really a #fail

By: ev

ev — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:33:48 +0000

that’s pretty amusing