Security Screws

Security screws, as the name suggests, provide a level of security far beyond that of normal fasteners. The purpose of these screws is to prevent vandalism and theft. These types of screws render this added protection by nature of their design and drive—preventing removal by common screwdrivers and other ordinary hardware. They come in a wide variety of head styles, drives, coatings, and threads, with each set having its own specific tools for installation and removal. Though there are many different security screw styles and types, they can all be classified under two general categories: tamper resistant screws and tamper proof screws.

Difference between Tamper Resistant and Tamper Proof

The concept behind tamper-resistant fasteners is to have a fastener that requires a unique tool for loosening. The idea is that a tamperer would be unlikely to have this tool on hand when attempting to tamper with property. Though it would be possible for a tamperer to obtain the driver, albeit difficulty, this is not the expectation. Instead, the assumption is that most tamperers won’t care to find and acquire the driver. For situations involving theft and vandalism prevention, since most incidents of vandalism and theft are just crimes of easy opportunity, the aim is to increase the difficulty of tampering and alter the circumstances so that they’re inopportune.

A tamper-proof fastener goes one step beyond a tamper-resistant fastener. Many tamper-proof fasteners need a proprietary tool that may be acquired solely after the purchaser provides documentation as to its intended purpose. Certain other types install with common wrenches, but have break-away heads that shear off when fastened to a particular torque. This leaves a flat, conical, or round head design that leaves your property fully protected.

Are security screws 100% tamper proof?

The purpose of security screws is to help prevent vandalism and theft. However, the can never be “fully” tamper proof. Technically, it would be possible for a criminal or thief to obtain the unique removal tool, it’s just unlikely. The idea behind security screws is that ordinary vandals and criminals won’t use their own time or effort to obtain the correct removal tool. In general, vandalism and cases of small theft occur because they are easy to carryout. Security screws, however, complicate these types of situations by requiring a would-be vandal or thief to take extra steps (i.e., find a way to locate and procure the needed removal tool). Adding this extra step reduces the ease of such crimes and thus reduces the incidence of them. In the end, this reduces the need for repair for vandalized property or replacement of stolen property.