15 Facts Your Boss Wished You'd Known About Keyless Car Stolen
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How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen
Modern vehicles that are keyless are a favorite target for thieves. The good news is that there are some simple deterrents that can be used to assist.
Relay theft is a new technique used by tech-savvy thieves. This involves two thieves working together to gain access to the vehicle. They use an instrument that records the signal from your keyfob, and then transmits it to your vehicle.
Keyless Car Theft
Owning a keyless car can feel like stepping into the future, but it could also make your ride an easy to be a target for thieves. As with all new technologies criminals quickly learn to take advantage of these. There are ways to avoid your car being stolen without having to force access to your vehicle.
In the past, thieves who wanted to steal a car would require a key or hotwire it. Nowadays, they can use advanced technology to hack keyless cars and start up. 92% of the cars recovered by UK security firm Tracker Tracker in 2019 were stolen in this manner.
To make the most of this technology, criminals make use of electronic signal relay devices to sabotage the signal being transmitted from the key fob in a vehicle's ignition. They can be purchased on the internet for as low as PS80. The devices can then send the same signal to vehicles nearby and make them unlock and then turning off the devices.
After the car has been started, the thief is able to leave without leaving any trace. As a result, keyless car theft is increasing. In the US it is responsible for up to 65% of car thefts and can have you paying an inflated insurance premium.
While specific information on keyless car theft isn't easy to find however, it is safe to say that cars with push-to-start ignition systems are more likely to be targeted than cars that require a physical key to enter the ignition. Other factors can impact the security of a vehicle, including its popularity among thieves as well as its model and brand, as well as its security protocol.
While companies have tried to plug these holes however, there are some keyless car models more susceptible to attack than others. A study conducted by Thatcham Research in 2020 assessed how resilient a range of models were to theft via keyless and gave them Poor, Basic and Superior scores based on their ability to resist the attack. It's therefore important to always take additional security measures if your vehicle has keyless start or entry features.
What happens?
As cars evolved as they have advanced, thieves have been experimenting with methods to break into them. The technology used to steal keysless cars intercepts signals, and "hacks" the fob to unlock the car. The risks are greater for luxury vehicles that are more recent. The latest figures from the Home Office show that keyless entry accounts for about half of the vehicle thefts that occur in England. It's interesting to see that earlier models with proximity keys but no button to start the vehicle have also been targeted by thieves.
The introduction of keyless ignitions and remote locking systems has made it possible for thieves to gain access to your vehicle from a distance. Thieves have created devices that are able to detect a signal from the key fob in your car, amplify it and then transmit it to an emulator -- essentially a fake car key. The device mimics your car key's signal which allows you to open and start your vehicle.
The CBC says that this type of hacking is increasing and that thieves are able to get into cars and steal them within less than 20 seconds. This is because keyless systems don't require drivers to carry their key in their pocket or in their hand.
A couple of years ago, an Toronto man was shocked to find his Toyota RAV4 torn up and its headlight dismantled not once, but twice in three months. He found out that this wasn't merely a matter of vandalism; it was part of a sophisticated technique for stealing keyless automobiles.
These thieves work in teams and are known as "relay attackers." The relay amplifier is controlled by one person, whereas the other person is holding a device which can pick up the remote control signal of your vehicle and transmit it back to the amplified device. This could trick your car into thinking that your key fob is nearby which allows it to open doors and leave.
Some drivers are installing security systems from the aftermarket to stop this from happening however the best option is to keep your key fob inside a metal container or pouch that blocks signals, such as a Faraday box. These are available online at a reasonable price.
Deterrents
Modern thieves employ sophisticated devices to intercept the signal relay sent out by key fobs. If they have this, they can copy it to unlock the car and then start the engine. The best method of deterring theft is to make sure that the key fob isn't kept in the vicinity of the vehicle when it is parked, preferably in a garage. You can also store the key in a metal container here or Faraday pouch to prevent its signal from being detected. You can also buy a tracking device that won't stop the car from being stolen, but it can 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 stands close to the car being targeted with a wireless transmitter that picks the signal from the owner's genuine digital key fob and sends it to a second box that is placed next to or inside the target vehicle. This tricked the car into thinking that the owner has pressed the lock button and unlocked the door. The thief leaves the vehicle.
Although some experts suggest installing expensive after-market security systems to prevent this kind of crime they aren't always efficient and can be easily defeated by criminals with the right equipment and know-how. It is better to invest in deterrents that make it harder for thieves to take your car, like the 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 to capture criminals in the act. Parking your vehicle in a location that is well-lit and easily visible can be a simple but effective method to deter thieves. This will discourage thieves, who are likely to be opportunists instead of targeted thieves, from trying to steal your car.
In addition to these deterrents, consider installing an entry system that utilizes unique security codes that are only known by the owner of the vehicle. This feature is only available on some newer models and requires a professional to install. However, it could be well worth the investment because it makes your car less attractive to thieves.
The following is a list of preventions.
It is becoming more essential for owners of vehicles as the rate of thefts involving keys increases, to implement effective preventative measures. These could include storing their smart keys in the Faraday pouch or box when not in use. These items have a metal liner that blocks radio signals, thus stopping thieves from intercepting and copying the signals. In addition, a lock for the steering wheel or an immobilizer could be an effective deterrent, as well as physically stopping the steering wheel from turning or the engine from running, should a criminal succeed in evading the keyless entry system.
Another alternative is to park your vehicle in a place that is more secure, away from doors or windows. This can make thieves think twice and make it difficult for them to identify the owner of the vehicle. Etching the VIN on headlights and windows is a great deterrent because it makes it difficult to duplicate stolen vehicles.
Dealerships can deter keyless car thefts by using strict security measures. Along with perimeter fencing and a separate car storage area, dealerships should offer employees training on the importance of vigilance as well as applying best practices for key inventory and handling vehicles. Dealerships should also regularly audit their inventory to identify any anomalies.
In certain instances, thieves attempt to evade security features built into the car through an electronic device that connects into the vehicle's computer. These devices are usually plugged into the diagnostic port which is typically located in the front footwell of most automobiles. The thieves then program a blank key fob to unlock the vehicle and begin it without the owner's consent.
There are a few ways you can reduce the chance of becoming a victim unauthorized car theft. Some of these include preventing criminals from accessing your vehicle's computer by using a shielded antenna and concealing or removing any electronics inside the car, and storing the key fob in the Faraday pouch or box. You can also install a GPS tracker or an immobilizer to increase the chance of locating your car after it's stolen and assist police catch the criminals responsible. Contact an auto electric specialist to determine what preventative measures are most suitable for you and your car.