11 Ways To Totally Block Your Keyless Car Stolen
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How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen
Modern vehicles that are keyless are a frequent target for thieves. There are a few basic deterrents to help.
One of the newest strategies employed by thieves who are tech-savvy is known as relay theft. Two thieves work together to gain access to the vehicle. They employ a device that can take the signal from your key fob, then transmit it to the vehicle.
Keyless Car Theft
A car that is keyless is like entering the future, but it could also make your car an easy target for thieves. Criminals quickly learn to exploit new technologies. There are ways to avoid your car being stolen without forcing entry.
In the past, thieves that wanted to steal a vehicle had to either obtain a key to it or wire it. Nowadays, they can use advanced technology to hack keysless cars and even start them up. 92% of the vehicles found by UK car security firm Tracker in 2019 were stolen this way.
To make the most of this technology, criminals make use of electronic signal relay devices to sabotage the signal that is transmitted from the key fob in a vehicle's ignition. These devices can be purchased on the internet for as little as PS80. The devices will then send the same signal to vehicles nearby and fool them into unlocking and turning on the devices.
Once the car is started, the thief is able to leave without leaving any trace. In the end, keyless car theft is increasing. In the US it is responsible for up to 65% of all car thefts, and could result in you paying an inflated insurance cost.
It's hard to find specific information on cars that don't have keys however, it's safest to think that cars with ignitions that can be pushed to start are more vulnerable to be insecure than cars that require keys to operate the ignition. Other factors can affect the security of a vehicle that could be a target, such as its popularity among thieves, its model and brand, as well as its security protocol.
Although manufacturers have taken steps to plug these holes but there are still keyless car models more susceptible to attack than others. Thatcham Research 2020 conducted a study to determine the resistance of a wide range of models against theft via keyless. They rated them as Basic, Poor or Superior based on the extent to which they were able to resist this method. Therefore, it's essential to always take additional precautions if you own a car with keyless entry or start features.
What happens?
As cars become more advanced and sophisticated, thieves have been devising ways to gain access to them. This includes stealing keyless vehicles using technology that intercepts signals, or "hacks" the fob to open and start the vehicle. The risk is higher for luxury vehicles that are newer. According to the most recent statistics from England's Home Office, keyless entry is the main reason for around half of all vehicle thefts. It's interesting to note that older luxury models that had proximity keys, but no button to start the vehicle have also been targeted by thieves.
It used to be that crooks needed to break into your car via a window or door handle, but the introduction of remote locking and keyless ignition systems allowed them to accomplish this from an extended distance. The thieves have devised devices that can detect the signal from your key fob and amplify it before sending it to a emulator -which is basically an imitation key. The device mimics the signal from your car key and allows you to unlock and start your car.
The CBC says that this type of hacking is growing and thieves are being able to gain entry into vehicles and take them away in less than 20 seconds. This is because keyless systems don't require drivers to have their fob in their pocket or hand.
Two years ago in Toronto, a man discovered his Toyota RAV4 ripped apart and its headlight removed not once, but two times within three months. He realized that this wasn't just vandalism, but a part of a sophisticated method for stealing keyless vehicles.
They work in teams and are known as "relay attackers." One person is equipped with an amplifier for relays, while the other holds an instrument that picks the remote control signal and then transmit it to the amplified device. This trick can make your car believe that your key fob is in the vicinity and allow it to open the doors and begin taking off.
Some drivers install security systems that are made available by the market to prevent this. However the best way to protect yourself is to keep your key fob inside an aluminum container, or signal-blocking pouch such as a faraday box. These are reasonably priced and can be purchased on the internet.
Deterrents
Modern thieves employ sophisticated devices to intercept the signals sent by key fobs. If they have this, they can copy it to unlock the car and start the engine. The best way to deter thieves is to make sure that the key fob isn't placed in the range of the vehicle when it is parked up, preferably in garages. You can also place the key in a metal container or Faraday pouch to block its signal. You can also buy a tracking device that won't stop the car from being stolen, but will help locate it afterward.
Two criminals working together to steal your vehicle from the outside is one of the most alarming forms of car burglaries that are keyless. One of the thieves is close to the targeted car with an electronic transmitter that picks the signal from the owner's genuine digital key fob and transmits it on to a second box which is placed next to or inside the vehicle being targeted. The car is tricked to believe that the owner had opened the door and had pressed the lock. The other thief then drives off in the car.
Some experts recommend expensive aftermarket systems to stop this kind of crime. However, they aren't always effective and are easily defeated if criminals have the appropriate knowledge and tools. It is more beneficial to invest in security measures that make it harder for thieves to steal your vehicle, for example the steering lock that makes it difficult to drive away.
You can also install motion detection lights around your home and garage which will be lit up to scare thieves away, and CCTV cameras, which will help to capture footage of criminals in the act. Parking your car in an area that is well-lit and easily visible can be a simple but effective method of deterring thieves. This will discourage thieves, who are likely to be opportunists rather than targeted thieves, from attempting to steal your vehicle.
In addition to these deterrents, think about installing a keyless entry system that utilizes unique security codes that are only known read more by the owner of the vehicle. This is only available on certain models that are newer and requires professional installation. However, it could be well worth the cost since it makes your vehicle less attractive to thieves.
Prevention
It is becoming more important for vehicle owners, as the incidence of thefts involving keys increases and it is essential to implement effective prevention measures. When not in use smart keys can be kept in a Faraday box or pouch. These items are lined with metal to block radio signals and stop thieves from intercepting or copying their signals. Installing an immobilizer or steering lock is another way to deter thieves. It can also physically block the steering wheel from turning or the engine from being started in the event that they are able to bypass the keyless entry system.
Another option is to park the vehicle in a more secured area, away from windows and doors. This can confuse thieves and make it more difficult for them to identify who is the owner of the vehicle. Etching the VIN on headlights and windows is also a good deterrent since it makes it difficult to copy stolen vehicles.
Dealerships can assist in preventing keyless car theft by instituting strict security measures. In addition to fencing around the perimeter and a separate car storage area, dealerships should provide employees with training on the importance of vigilance as well as implementing best methods for key inventory and vehicle handling. Dealerships should also regularly audit their inventory in order to identify any discrepancies.
In some cases, thieves will try to bypass security measures built into the vehicle with an electronic device that connects into the vehicle's computer. These devices are connected to the diagnostic ports, which are usually located in the footwells of the majority of cars. The thieves can then program an unlocked key fob to unlock the car and start it without permission from the owner.
Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of keyless car theft. Some of these include preventing criminals from gaining access to your vehicle's computer using shielded antennas, removing or concealing any electronic devices inside the car, and storing the key fob in a Faraday bag or box. You could also install a GPS tracker or immobilizer to improve the chances of locating your vehicle after it's stolen and assist law enforcement catch the culprits. Contact an auto electric expert to discover what preventative measures are most suitable for your vehicle and you.