The garage door fishing attack uses a bent coat hanger to hook the emergency release cord through the top gap of the door, disengaging the lock in 6-10 seconds. Prevent it with a $15-$30 emergency release cord shield, zip-tying the release lever, or installing a door defender bracket - all simple DIY fixes.
YouTube tutorials on the garage door fishing attack have been viewed millions of times. This means thieves know exactly how to exploit this vulnerability. If you have a garage with an attached house, this is one security risk you need to address today.
How the Attack Works (Step by Step)
Understanding the attack helps you understand why specific countermeasures work:
- Thief approaches the garage door, typically at night or when homeowners are away
- A thin wedge or credit card is used to create a small gap between the door top and the door frame
- A wire (coat hanger, fish wire, thin metal rod) is bent into a hook shape
- The wire is inserted through the gap and aimed toward the emergency release cord
- With some practice, the hook catches the cord loop and pulls it down
- Pulling the cord disengages the trolley from the door, allowing manual lift
- The door rises easily by hand - the thief is inside in under 10 seconds total
Why This Matters for Attached Garages
In Ontario, the vast majority of new construction homes in the GTA have attached garages with an interior door connecting to the home. Once a thief enters the garage, they are one (often hollow-core, easily kicked) interior door away from your home. Many homeowners lock the front door but leave the garage-to-interior door unlocked or with minimal security.
How to Prevent the Fishing Attack
Method 1: Emergency Release Cord Shield (Best Solution)
An emergency release shield is a plastic or metal guard that physically blocks external wire access to the cord. It attaches to the trolley/opener bracket in about 5 minutes and costs $15-$30. This is the most elegant solution - it prevents the attack without affecting normal door operation or emergency manual override capability.
Look for: LiftMaster Emergency Disconnect Shield, Garage Door Security Shield (Amazon), or ask Royal Garage Doors to install one during your next service call.
Method 2: Zip Tie the Emergency Release Lever
A simple zip tie through the emergency release lever prevents it from being pulled by a light hook. A firm pull with your hand will still break the zip tie in a real emergency. However, a fishing wire hook cannot generate enough force to break it. This is free and takes 30 seconds. Replace the zip tie annually as UV degradation weakens plastic over time.
Method 3: Door Defender / Floor Lock Bracket
A door defender is a heavy-duty bracket that anchors the bottom of your garage door to the floor with a key lock. Even if the emergency release is triggered, the door cannot be lifted because it is locked to the floor. Cost: $40-$80 installed.
Method 4: Smart Opener with Instant Alerts
A smart garage opener (LiftMaster with myQ) sends instant smartphone notifications any time the door is opened unexpectedly. While this does not prevent entry, it enables an immediate response - calling police, activating security cameras, notifying neighbours.
Method 5: Upgrade to a Deadbolt on Interior Garage Door
The garage-to-home interior door is often the weakest link. Upgrading to a solid-core door with a Grade 1 deadbolt makes the interior door a genuine security barrier even if the garage is entered. This is especially important for GTA homes where the garage serves as the primary entry point.
Additional Garage Security Measures
- Install a garage door alarm with entry sensors (triggers if door opened unexpectedly)
- Add motion-activated lighting inside and outside the garage
- Consider a security camera covering the garage door (Ring, Arlo, Google Nest)
- Never leave garage remote in vehicles parked outside
- Use a keypad with rolling code technology rather than a fixed-code remote
- Enable vacation lock mode on compatible openers when away for extended periods
Garage Security Assessment
Royal Garage Doors offers complete garage security assessments covering door condition, lock quality, opener features, and entry vulnerability. We can install emergency release shields, door defenders, and smart openers in one visit.
Call 437-265-9995 for Security AssessmentFrequently Asked Questions
The garage door fishing attack involves inserting a thin wire or bent coat hanger through the top gap of a garage door to hook and pull the emergency release cord. Once the cord is pulled, the door disengages from the opener track and can be manually lifted. The entire process takes 6-10 seconds with no tools except a wire.
It is one of the most common garage break-in methods, particularly in residential areas. It requires no special tools, leaves no forced entry damage, and is difficult to detect on CCTV. Toronto police attribute a significant percentage of residential break-ins to garage entry.
The most effective defences are: (1) Install an emergency release cord shield - a plastic or metal cover that blocks access to the cord from outside. Cost: $15-$30 DIY. (2) Zip tie the emergency release lever in engaged position. (3) Install a door defender bracket that locks the bottom of the door to the floor. (4) Add a garage door alarm with entry sensors.
A smart opener alone does not prevent fishing attacks - the physical emergency release is still accessible. However, smart openers with myQ or similar apps send instant alerts if the door is opened unexpectedly. Combine a smart opener with a physical cord shield for effective protection.
An emergency release cord shield physically blocks access to the emergency release pull cord from outside the door. It attaches to the trolley bracket of the opener and prevents the red cord from being hooked by an external wire. They cost $15-$50 and take about 5 minutes to install.
No - using the fishing technique to enter a property without authorization is breaking and entering, a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. The technique is widely known among security researchers and is taught in home security awareness courses so homeowners can protect themselves.