The last resort of locksmiths, though it’s their most effective tool, is drilling through locks with power drills. Drilling through deadbolts destroys the locks’ pins, tumblers, and other components, thereby rendering keys ineffective. Deadbolts with drilled-through locking mechanisms can still be turned with nothing more than a finger, pencil, or similar object.

Make sure you search reviews of locks prior to buying one. Your front door lock’s deadbolt should not be able to move if its mechanism is destroyed via drill.

When your front door’s lock is installed, long, thick, high-quality screws should be used. As long as the screws have something solid to anchor to, your lock will become exponentially safer.

Lastly, having a secure front door frame will also effectively deter burglars. Top-tier, Fort Knox-quality door frames make it virtually impossible for burglars to strong-arm their way into homes.

When you’re buying a new lock there’s a few things to consider, the first is of course where the lock is going to be. If it’s for a door inside your house, that’s of course of less importance then for your front door. Usually a good run of thumb is that you want to get the best possible lock for your front door. You never want to be in a situation where your front door lock gets kicked in. You also have to keep in mind how long you need your lock to hold up, with an inside door being of much less important then your front door.

Many locks have something called grading system where they’re graded based on how well they will stand up. This is the first part of your research, where you need to look into which locks will hold up better then others, always ask about the grading system for your lock.

Another option is to speak to a certified locksmith who has the knowledge and expertise you need to make sure you pick the right lock for you. Many people think to go to their local hardware shop and pick whichever front door lock is cheapest, but this is where you can fall down and make a terrible mistake. Make sure to work with a locksmith who has experience in the grading of different locks, and is able to help you determine the best lock for you.