Manufacturer of the world's most secure fasteners

The Tamper Proof Security Screw Problem

So What Is A Security Screw?

Traditional security screws, also known as tamperproof screws, are otherwise standard screws but with a unique head, making it nearly impossible to remove with common tools. That used to mean that any screws that couldn't be removed with a slot-style or Phillips® head driver could be considered security screws. However, this is no longer true. The vast majority of so-called tamper proof screws on the market today, are not actually secure nor vandal resistant. Calling them tamper proof is making a false claim and is simply misleading the public and the buyer who need true protection. 

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Problems With Security Screws

Security Solar Panel Screws keep your solar panels safe and secure at all times, vandal resistant screws, anti theft screws and more, protect your property like never before with Bryce Fastener Screws for high security, only you have access to the driver for the screws so no one else can access damage or steal your property

The security screw problem today, is not with the screws themselves, but rather with the common availability of the driver bits used to remove them. Today there are millions of these once anti theft screwdriver bits in circulation at retailers and wholesalers everywhere. Toolboxes around the world are now equipped with these driver bits which makes these "tamper proof screws" ineffective for any true security application. Almost all security screws made are vulnerable and can no longer be considered vandal resistant or tamper proof screws.

You can see the full selection of Bryce Security Screws here.

As mentioned earlier, this was not always the case. Once upon a time, the driver bits were produced by a single American manufacturer, making them scarce and very hard to get. Traditional security screws got the name "tamper-proof" because they actually were a vandal resistant type of screw. As tamper proof screws became more popular, more bit manufacturers added security bits to their line. Once the patents expired, these bits could be manufactured by anyone and sold in retail stores around the world.

Security screws soon lost their legal ability to use the word "anti theft" or "vandal-proof" because the screws were only tamper-resistant due to the market being flooded with a wide range of bits and special tools. Of course, many still do it. The proliferation of the bits has degraded traditional metal security screws. Bit manufacturing moved offshore beginning 15 years ago and there are almost no American manufacturers now. Bit manufacturing exploded and now almost every bit and screw is made in China and can be purchased at any hardware store or online merchant. The bits are often in sold in large sets with a range of sizes, types, and style options for just a few dollars. The vast majority of tamper-proof screws and vandal-proof screws have been rendered useless as such. The few designs that are not completely useless have degenerated to being "vandal-resistant" at best. 

"Tamper Resistant Screws" are Not Secure

Commonly titled tamper proof fasteners and screws are often not so, make sure you do your research on the screws you need and work with a trusted anti theft screws company like Bryce to get truly vandal resistant screws and tamper proof products and screws to protect your property the right way

Today anyone, including a thief, has the option to buy a large set of security bits at the corner store for just a few dollars. These days, most toolboxes are equipped with a set. This is the serious problem we are faced with today. Most tamper resistant screws are not secure at all. Bryce Fastener has been working on security solutions for the last 11 years and is not afraid to sound the alarm: If you use traditional security screws you have a problem! We have the solution. Bryce Fastener designs and manufactures the highest-level security screws on the market. Bryce tightly controls the bits to their unique anti theft variety of fasteners. So, there is no concern that someone is going to buy one of their bits at a hardware store or online somewhere.

So what is the best security screw you can buy? The Bryce Fastener Key Rex currently reigns supreme. This fastener is trusted by the US Military, nuclear facilities around the world, banks, prisons, universities, tech companies, medical device manufacturers, credit card companies, solar installations and more. But how can you be sure somebody else won't just use their own Key Rex driver bit to remove your screws? The head of the Key-Rex screw is custom "keyed" with a unique keyway and fastener bit for each customer. No two are alike, and there are a jaw-dropping 53 billion key code variations. So you can be sure that no one will have a duplicate driver bit for your fasteners. Each set of these custom screws and their high-tensile, perfect fitting driver bits have a unique serial number specific to the client and job. But don't lose your bits. If you need replacements and you aren't the person who originally ordered them, there are quite a few hoops you'll need to jump through to get them. Most people order extras and keep them locked away in a safe somewhere.

A unique feature of these one of a kind screws, is that the screw head is manufactured with a unique underside called the "Raptor Claw". This design feature allows the screw to dig into the surface and stay there. The Raptor Claw, the super-tight fitting driver bit and the ultra-high shear strength of everything means these screws can be torqued down like none other. So even if someone did manage to create a bit to fit the screw, when torqued to recommendations, the bit will break long before the screw will move. But that's not all. The head shape of the Key-Rex is such that it easily prevents grabbing with tools such as locking pliers. Drilling out the super-tough metal or cutting a groove into it for a slotted screwdriver or some other tool to unscrew is nearly impossible. The large center pin rejects these tools and others. If perhaps, even the most devoted criminal was able to remove one of these screws, it's going to take quite a while to do so. Then there's usually many others that need removed as well. So they eventually give up. How do they know this? In the many years that Bryce has been manufacturing the Key Rex, and millions of screws in applications all over the world, only a handful have reported a breach in a screw. Investigations were done and most of those were not torqued to specification. The others were simply highly committed individuals with a lot of time on their hands. But even those didn't result in more than a single screw being breached.

Here is a great security screw video showing the Bryce Key Rex under attack with multiple tools in a shop setting. You can also view the full video by clicking here.

Alarming Stories of Other So Called "Tamper-Proof Screws"

Over the years leading the custom screws industry, we have heard countless alarming nightmare stories about failing security and tamper proof fasteners and screws, Luckily Bryce Fastener stepped in and fixed these problems with proper screws so that there aren't any issues anymore, make sure only you have access to the drivers for your screws, not the vandals | best custom screws on the market

Because Bryce Fastener has been a security screw specialist for 25 years, we've been exposed to alarming stories where standard tamper proof screws have been compromised.

Below are a few examples;

  • Prisoners were hiding drugs and knives behind wall plates with so called "security screws". They had the bits and the guards did not. Bryce Fastener sold security bits to the prison and now the guards have the bits and the prisoners do not.
  • $20,000.00 worth of digital light projectors we're stolen over a long weekend from a university. The equipment was secured with traditional security screws. Bryce supplied Key-Rex® screws and no thefts have occurred in the last 7 years.
  • Stereos secured with traditional security screws were taken from a retail store. The store sold the same bits they used to secure their stereos with. All the thieves had to do was steal the bits, unfasten the products and make their heist. Our high torque security screws were experimented with and finally used throughout the whole chain.
  • $40,000.00 worth of computers were stolen from a hospital and important patient data was lost. Key-Rex® was implemented to halt future loss.
  • White Sands nuclear facility was losing secrets. Our security screws now secure it.
  • A cable TV company in South America began with a 2,000 piece screw order from us 8 years ago to secure problem boxes placed on public sidewalks. They have ordered over 2,000,000 screws since for additional usages.
  • Government license plates came up missing in Michigan after 9/11. Due to budget constraints, the government did not implement Key-Rex® tamper proof screws and the thefts continue.
  • A lottery company found out their slot machines had been compromised after a number of extra large payouts. Our tamper proof fasteners have prevented any further compromises. 
  • ATM machines secured with standard tamper resistant screws were taken. Our truly anti-theft screws now secure them with no reported breaches since.
  • One of the biggest internet companies ordered our products before they went public. They continue to order Bryce Fastener's.

The alarm is as big as the risk. When someone can walk into a small town hardware store and buy security bits, security screw users should be alarmed.

The Key Rex Screws and Products we offer are unmatched in the industry and practically impossible to access without the proper drivers, luckily we also manufacture the drivers for all screws so you do not need to worry about other people having access, get fasteners and screws that are actually anti theft, vandal resistant, and tamper proof, do not settle for less capable so called tamper proof fasteners and screws

Problem "Tamper Proof Screws"

There are all types of security screws that are NOT secure. The following is a list of the most common, problem security screws. A screwdriver kit purchased in a popular retail hardware store in America included these bits: Torx®-Pin, Six-Lobe-Pin, Hex-Pin, Allen®-Pin, Drilled Spanner and Triwing®. Other kits contained a Phillips®-Pin. One contractor supply kit had a Square-Drive bit with a hole. One-Way removal tools are also available. If you are using any of these styles of screws, be aware that they have limited success. If your application requires higher security, Bryce Fastener's premium security screws are your best line of defense.

See the full selection of Bryce Security Screws and Tamper Proof Screws here, or browse our complete line of security fasteners.

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