A Complete Guide to Security Screws

Security screws feature special heads that make them both significantly harder to remove and more resistant to pressure or wear. Typically made from steel with a zinc coating, security screws are also known as tamper-proof, anti-tamper, and anti-theft screws. They are part of a broader family of professional security fixings.

How Do Security Screws Work?

The heads of security screws are designed to be completely incompatible with standard slot or Phillips screwdrivers. Instead, they require specialist screwdrivers or drill bits for installation or removal.

High-security screws have a variety of uses, including:

• Shielding potentially dangerous components – for example, junction box wiring, factory machinery blades, and computer internals
• Reinforcing valuable items, making theft and misuse harder – for example, vehicle registration plates
• Discouraging vandalism
• Reinforcing displays or other equipment routinely exposed to high winds – for example, billboards or CCTV cameras
• Reinforcing load bearing storage equipment – for example, rack mounts

How to Remove Security Torx Screws

To remove – or indeed, tighten – torx screws, you will need compatible screwdrivers. These are called torx drivers or star head screwdrivers. Use a firm grip to tighten or loosen the screw. It’s also worth noting that pin torx heads may not be compatible with all torx drivers.

One-Way Screws

One-way security screws are designed to stay in place once installed. Part of the head curves away; the section which lies in the direction that a screwdriver would be turned to remove the screw, thereby making the head impossible to grip.

How to Remove One-Way Screws

To remove a one-way screw, you will need to apply torque via a pair of pliers. This will require a firm grip and you may need to file parts of the screw head for greater purchase. Alternatively, obtain a specialist extraction tool. These can be difficult to locate, but they will remove one-way screws relatively quickly.

Spanner Screws

Spanner screws feature a distinctive double indentation in the head. These earned this model its common alternative names – snake eye screw and pig nose screw.

Common uses of the snake eye bolt include vehicle licence plates, building and vehicle grills, and public facilities.

How to Remove Spanner Screws

Spanner screws can only be installed or removed by specialised, compatible drill bits with dual pins for each hole. The bits are fitted into a spanner screwdriver with interchangeable heads.

What are Self-Tapping Security Screws?

Self-tapping security screws are designed for use in situations where no pre-existing hole has been drilled or tapped. The head of the screw is designed to tap out a hole for the screw as it is inserted. This should create a stronger bond between the screw and the panel or wall into which it has been inserted. Some self-tapping security screws will even work with wood.

What Types of Screw Heads are There?

Multiple types of screw head are available, each with different characteristics and strengths. When choosing the right screws for your job, ensure that you also have access to a compatible screwdriver with a matching head.

Here are some of the most common screw heads:

• Slotted Screws – this is the oldest, most traditional form of screw head; a simple, indented line. They will become unusable if the slot burrs over
• Phillips Screws – these familiar screws provide greater leverage because there are four points of contact, not just two. However, they can also burr
• Hex – hex heads extend beyond the surface of the screw and feature a hexagonal pattern, with a corresponding screwdriver
• Square – these feature a square-shaped indentation, providing a firm grip
• Pozi – versatile Pozidriv screws feature no less than eight points of leverage, providing significantly better grip than the more familiar Phillips head

What is the Smallest Torx Size?

The smallest torx size is the T1, which is just 0.81mm (0.031 inches).