Think You're Perfect For Doing Keyless Car Stolen? Take This Quiz
Wiki Article
How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen
Modern keyless cars are becoming an ideal target for thieves. There are a few easy deterrents to stop thieves from gaining access to your car.
Relay theft is a new technique that is used by smart thieves. It involves two thieves working together to gain access to your car. They make use of a device to capture the signal from your key fob, then transmit that to the vehicle.
Keyless Car Theft
The convenience of a car with no keys feels like being in the future, but it can also make your ride an easy to target for thieves. As with all new technologies criminals quickly learn to make use of them. There are ways to stop your car from being stolen, without forcing entry.
In the past, thieves who wanted to steal a vehicle had to either get keys to it or hotwire it. Nowadays, they can employ sophisticated technology to hack into cars that are not keyed and start them up. 92% of vehicles recovered by UK car security firm Tracker in 2019 were stolen that way.
To make the most of this technology, criminals make use of electronic signal relay devices to sabotage the signal transmitted by the key fob in a vehicle's ignition. They are easily accessible on the internet and cost as little as PS80 each. The devices can then send the identical signal to nearby vehicles and trick them into unlocking and turning on themselves.
Once the car has been started, the thief can drive off without leaving any trace. This is why keyless car theft is on the rise. In the US it is responsible for up to 65% of all car thefts and can have you paying an inflated insurance premium.
Although specific data on keyless car theft is hard to find It's safe to conclude that cars equipped with push-to-start ignition systems are more likely to be targeted than vehicles that require keys to be physically entered into the ignition. Other factors that affect the vulnerability of a vehicle include its popularity among thieves as well as its model and brand as well as its security procedures.
Despite the efforts of car manufacturers to close the loopholes, certain keyless cars are more vulnerable to attack than others. A study conducted by Thatcham Research in 2020 assessed the degree of resistance a variety of models were to theft via keyless and gave them Poor, Basic and Superior ratings based on their ability to resist the technique. It is crucial to take extra care when your car is equipped with keyless start or entry features.
What Happens?
The technology in cars has improved and thieves have come up with new ways to break in. This includes stealing keyless cars with technology that intercepts signals, or "hacks" the fob to unlock and start the car. The risk is higher for newer luxury cars. According to the latest figures from England's Home Office, keyless entry is the reason for about half of all vehicle thefts. It is interesting to note that older models that have a proximity key, but do not have a button that can be used to start the car have also been frequent targets for thieves.
The introduction of keyless ignitions and remote locking systems has allowed thieves to gain access to your vehicle from an inaccessible distance. Thieves have created devices that pick up signals from your car's key fob and amplify it before they transmit it to an emulatorwhich is basically a fake car key. This device emulates your car key's signal, allowing you to unlock and begin your car.
The CBC reports that this type of hacking is on the rise and that thieves are able to get into cars and take them away within less than 20 seconds. This is because keyless systems don't require the driver to have their fob in their pocket or hand.
Two years ago in Toronto, a man was shocked to find his Toyota RAV4 ripped apart and its headlight removed not once, but two times within three months. He realized that this wasn't merely a matter of vandalism, it was part of a sophisticated method to steal keyless vehicles.
The thieves are in teams and are referred to as "relay attackers." The relay amplifier is held by one person, while the other person holds a device which can pick up the remote control signal of your car and send it back to the amplified device. This can trick your car into believing that your key fob is nearby and allow it to open the doors and then drive away.
Some drivers are installing security systems from the aftermarket to protect themselves however the best way to protect yourself is to keep your key fob inside a metal container or a signal-blocking pouch like a Faraday box. These are reasonably priced and can be purchased on the internet.
Deterrents
Modern thieves use specialist devices to snoop on the signal relays sent out through key fobs. If they have this they can duplicate it to unlock the car and start the engine. The best deterrent is to ensure that the key fob is not left in range of the vehicle when it is in a garage, preferably in a garage. You can also put the key in a Faraday pouch or metal container to prevent its signal from being detected. You can also invest in a more info tracking device which will not stop the vehicle from being stolen, can assist in tracking it down later.
Two criminals working together to steal your vehicle from outside is one of the most alarming kinds of keyless car burglary. The thieves employ a wireless transmitter to detect the signal of the car owner's digital key fob. They then transmit it to a second device which is either placed in the vehicle or next to it. This tricked the car into thinking that the owner had relocked the door and had pressed the lock. The other thief then takes off in the car.
Although some experts suggest installing expensive after-market security systems to prevent this type of crime, they aren't always effective and can be easily defeated by criminals with the right tools and knowledge. It is better to invest in deterrents to make it harder for thieves to take your vehicle, for example a steering lock which makes it hard for thieves to drive away.
Install motion-detection lights around your garage and home to scare away thieves. You can also install CCTV cameras that will catch criminals in action. Parking your vehicle in an area that is well-lit and visible can be an easy but effective method of deterring thieves. This will discourage thieves who are more likely to be opportunists rather than targeted thieves from trying to steal your car.
You should consider buying a keyless lock that only the owner of the vehicle has the security code. This system is only on a few newer models and requires a professional to install. However, it could be worth the cost since it makes your vehicle less appealing to thieves.
Prevention
As the number of thefts involving keys in cars increases increasing, it is important for vehicle owners to implement effective security strategies. This could include storing smart keys in the Faraday pouch or box when not in use. These items have a metal lining that blocks radio signals, hindering thieves from stealing and copying the signals. Installing an immobilizer or steering lock is another way to deter thieves. It can also physically stop the steering wheel from rotating or the engine from being started, should they be able to get around the keyless entry system.
Another alternative is to park the car in an area that is more secure, away from doors or windows. This could confuse thieves and make it difficult for them to recognize the owner of the car. The inscription of the VIN on the headlights and windows can also be a deterrent since it makes it difficult to copy stolen vehicles.
Dealerships can deter keyless car thefts by using strict security measures. Dealerships should educate their employees about the importance and best practices in key inventory and vehicle handling. They can accomplish this by installing fencing around their perimeters and creating a designated car storage area. Dealerships should also conduct regular audits of their inventory in order to spot any issues.
In some instances, criminals will try to bypass security measures built into the vehicle through an electronic device that plugs into the computer in the vehicle. These devices are typically connected into the diagnostic port which is usually located in the front footwell of most automobiles. The thieves can program an unprogrammed remote to start the car without the owner's consent.
There are several steps you can take to lower the risk of becoming a victim of unintentional car theft. Some of them include preventing criminals from gaining access to the computer in your vehicle by using an antenna shielded from interference and concealing or removing any electronic devices in the vehicle, and storing the key fob in a Faraday pouch or box. Installing a GPS tracker and immobilizer will increase your chances of locating your car when it is stolen, and also aiding law enforcement in catching the criminals. Contact an auto electrical expert to determine which preventative measures be most beneficial for you and your vehicle.