What is lock snapping and how is it prevented?

Lock snapping is breaking the cylinder at its weakest point to pull it out and open the lock. It works mainly when the cylinder sticks out of the door, because there is something to grip.

A standard cylinder has a narrower section at the level of the screw that holds it. If it breaks there, the outer half comes away and the lock is left exposed.

This is how it is prevented:

• Anti-snap cylinder. It has a prepared break line on the outer part: if it is forced, it snaps there and the part that works the lock stays protected inside.
• The right size. So it does not stick out of the door, or only minimally.
• Security escutcheon. It covers the cylinder and leaves nothing to grip.

Ideally all three are combined. More in security cylinders.