Keyless Car Stolen: 11 Thing You're Not Doing
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How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen
Modern vehicles that are keyless are the most popular target for thieves. There are a few basic deterrents to help.
Relay theft is a novel technique used by tech-savvy thieves. It involves two thieves working together to get access to your car. They employ an instrument that records the signal from your keyfob and then transmits it to the vehicle.
Keyless Car Theft
It's great to have a car that is keyless however, it also makes your vehicle vulnerable to theft. Criminals quickly learn to take advantage of new technologies. Fortunately, there are things you can do to to keep your vehicle from being taken away without requiring entry.
In the past, thieves seeking to steal a car would need to obtain keys or wire it. Nowadays, they can employ sophisticated technology to hack keyless cars and start them up. 92% of the cars recovered by UK car security firm Tracker in 2019 were stolen in this manner.
Criminals can take advantage of this technology by utilizing electronic signal relay devices that hijack the signal that is transmitted by the vehicle's keyfob. These devices are widely available on the internet and can cost as little as PS80 each. The devices will then transmit the identical signal to nearby vehicles and make them unlock and turning on the devices.
Once the car is started and the car is driven, the criminal can drive it away with ease and without leaving a trace behind. This is why keyless car theft is increasing. In the US the theft of cars that are keyless can account for up to 65% all car thefts. This can lead to an increase in insurance costs.
Although specific information about keyless car theft is hard to come by It's safe to conclude that vehicles with push-to start ignition systems are more likely to be targeted than vehicles that require a physical key to enter the ignition. Other factors that affect the vulnerability of a vehicle include its popularity among thieves, its brand and model as well as its security procedures.
While manufacturers have made efforts to plug these holes, there are still some keyless car models more susceptible to attack than others. Thatcham Research 2020 conducted a study to determine the resistance of a range of models to keyless theft. They rated them as Poor, Basic or Superior based on the degree to which they could resist this technique. It is essential to take extra precautions when your vehicle has keyless entry or start features.
What happens?
The technology in cars has advanced and thieves have come up with new ways to break in. The technology used to steal keysless vehicles intercepts signals and "hacks" the fob to unlock the car. The risks are greater for luxury cars that are newer. According to the latest figures from England's Home Office, keyless entry is responsible for about half of the vehicle thefts. Interestingly, older luxury models that utilize proximity keys but don't have a button to begin the car are also frequently targeted by thieves.
There was a time when criminals had to break into your car through the door or window, but the introduction of keyless and remote locking ignition systems allowed them to do so from the distance. Thieves have developed devices that can pick up signals from the car's key fob, amplify it and then transmit it to an emulatorwhich is basically fake car keys. The device then mimics the signal of your car key which allows it to unlock and start your car.
The CBC says that this type of hacking is growing and thieves are able to get into cars and take them away within less than 20 seconds. This is due to the fact that keyless systems don't require the driver to have their fob in their pocket or in their hand.
Two years ago in Toronto, a man found his Toyota RAV4 ripped apart and its headlight removed not only once, but twice within three months. He realized that this was not just vandalism, but part of a sophisticated method to steal keyless vehicles.
These thieves work in teams and are referred to as "relay attackers." One person has an amplifier for relays, and the other holds a device that picks the remote control signal, and transmit it back to the amplified device. This could cause your car to believe that your key fob was nearby, allowing it to open the doors and drive away.
Some drivers install aftermarket security systems in order to stop this. However the best defense is to keep your key fob inside a metal container, or an accessory that blocks signals, like a faraday box. These are available online at an affordable price.
Deterrents
Modern thieves use sophisticated devices to intercept the signal relay sent out by key fobs. If they have this, they can copy it to more info unlock the car and start the engine. The best method to deter thieves is to make sure that the key fob does not remain within the reach of the vehicle once it is parked, and preferably in the garage. You can also put the key in the Faraday pouch or a metal container to stop its signal. You can also buy an electronic device to track your car. It does not stop the car from being stolen, but will aid in finding it later.
Two criminals working together to steal your vehicle from outside is one of the most alarming forms of car burglaries that are keyless. One of them is close to the car being targeted with a wireless transmitter that picks up the signal from the owner's authentic digital key fob and transmits it to a second box which is placed near or inside the target vehicle. The car was tricked to believe that the owner had opened the door and pressed the lock. The other thief drives away in the car.
Some experts suggest expensive aftermarket systems to stop this kind of crime. However, these aren't always effective and can be easily defeated if criminals possess the appropriate knowledge and tools. It is best to invest in deterrents to make it harder for thieves to steal your vehicle, for example the steering lock that makes it difficult for thieves to escape.
Install motion-detection lighting around your garage and home to scare away thieves. You can also install CCTV cameras that capture criminals in action. Parking your car in an area that is well-lit and easily visible can be a simple but effective method to deter thieves. This will dissuade thieves who are more likely be opportunists, rather than targeted thieves from trying to steal your vehicle.
In addition to these deterrents, consider purchasing an entry system that utilizes unique security codes that are only recognized by the owner of the car. This system is only on a few newer models and requires professional installation. However, it could be well worth the cost because it makes your car less appealing to thieves.
Prevention
It is becoming increasingly essential for owners of vehicles as the risk of theft through keyless keys rises and it is essential to implement effective prevention measures. When not in use, smart keys can be kept in the Faraday box or pouch. These items are lined with steel to block radio signals and prevent thieves from stealing or intercepting them. Installing an immobilizer or steering lock is another method to deter thieves. It is also able to physically stop the steering wheel from rotating or the engine from starting, should they be able to get around the keyless entry system.
Another strategy involves parking the car in a more secure area in a safe distance from windows and doors. This could confuse thieves and make it harder for them to identify who is the owner of the vehicle. Additionally engraving the VIN on headlights and windows could also be an effective deterrent because it makes cloning stolen vehicles much more difficult.
Dealerships can aid in preventing theft of keys from cars by implementing stringent security measures. In addition to fencing around the perimeter and a dedicated storage area for cars, dealers should provide employees with training on the importance of vigilance and adopting the best methods for key inventory and handling vehicles. Dealerships should also regularly audit their inventory to find any irregularities.
In certain instances, criminals may attempt to circumvent the security features built into the vehicle by using a device that can access the computer of the vehicle. These devices are typically plugged into the diagnostic port which is typically located in the front footwell of all automobiles. The thieves can then program the blank key fob to open the vehicle and then start it without permission from the owner.
There are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of being a victim of unintentional car theft. You can stop criminals from gaining access to your car's computer with a shielded radio antenna and remove or hide any electronic devices inside the vehicle, and then store keys in a Faraday bag or pouch. Installing a GPS tracker and an immobilizer will improve your chances of locating your vehicle after it's been stolen, while also aiding law enforcement in catching the criminals. Contact an auto electrical specialist to determine which preventative measures be the most effective for you and your car.