Over the Door (OTD) Tool
An Over the Door (OTD) tool is a device used by security professionals to exploit certain door handles or latches from the outside of a locked door. The tool is inserted over the top of the door, then manipulated to hook onto the door handle, lever, or panic bar and push it down, unlocking the door.
Steps to Use an Over the Door Tool:
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Insert the Tool: Slide the OTD tool over the top of the door, ensuring the wire end goes over first.
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Maneuver the Tool: Maneuver the tool so that the hook or loop end reaches the door handle or panic bar.
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Hook the Door Handle: Using the wire, manipulate the hook or loop to catch the handle or bar of the door.
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Push the Handle: Once the handle or bar is caught, push or pull the wire, causing the door handle or bar to operate and open the door.
DIY Over the Door Tool
Creating an Over the Door tool from basic materials is straightforward. Here’s how you can make one from a long piece of film:
Materials Needed:
- Long, flexible film or plastic strip
Steps:
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Prepare the Film: The film should be long enough to reach from the top of the door to the door handle or bar, and flexible enough to maneuver over the door and down to the handle or bar.
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Fold the Film: Fold the film in half lengthwise to increase its strength and rigidity.
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Create the Hook: At the folded end of the film, cut a small notch or “hook”. This will be used to catch and operate the door handle or bar.
Preventative Measures
To protect against the use of an Over the Door tool, several preventative measures can be taken:
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Tight Door Gap: Ensure there is minimal gap at the top of the door to prevent a tool from being inserted.
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Door Shield: Install a shield or plate at the top of the door to block tools from being inserted.
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Handle Shroud: A shroud or guard can be installed around the door handle or panic bar to make it more difficult to hook and operate from the other side of the door.