5 Common Phrases About Keyless Car Stolen You Should Avoid
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How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen
Modern keyless vehicles are a favorite target for thieves. The good news is that there are simple ways to deter thieves that can help.
One of the most recent strategies used by tech-savvy thieves is known as relay theft. It involves two thieves working together to get access to your car. They use a device that captures 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 target for thieves. As with all new technology, criminals quickly learn how to take advantage of them. There are ways you can do to to keep your vehicle from being taken away without requiring entry.
In the past, thieves looking to steal a car would have to either obtain a key or hotwire it. Nowadays, they can use advanced technology to hack keysless cars and even start them up. 92% of the vehicles found by UK security firm Tracker Tracker in 2019 were stolen that way.
To make the most of this technology, criminals use electronic signal relay devices to sabotage the signal transmitted by the key fob of a car's ignition. These devices can be bought on the internet for as low as PS80. The devices are able to send the same signal to nearby vehicles and trick them into unlocking and then turning off themselves.
Once the car has been opened, the criminal can drive off without leaving a trace. Keyless car theft has risen as a result. In the US the number of stolen cars is up to 65% of car thefts and can have you paying a high insurance cost.
While specific information on keyless car theft isn't easy to find however, it is safe to say that vehicles with push-to start ignition systems are more likely to be targeted than cars that require the use of a physical key to get into the ignition. Other factors could affect the vulnerability of a vehicle that could be a target, such as its popularity among thieves, its model and brand, and security protocol.
Although manufacturers have taken steps to plug these holes, there are still some keyless car models more susceptible to attack than others. A study by Thatcham Research in 2020 assessed the resilience of a selection of models were to keyless theft and gave them Basic, Poor and Superior ratings based on their capacity to resist the attack. It is important to take extra precautions when your vehicle has keyless entry or start features.
How It Happens
As cars have evolved and sophisticated, thieves have been devising methods to break into them. The technology used to steal keysless cars intercepts signals and "hacks" the fob to allow access to the car. The risk is higher for newer luxury cars. According to the most recent statistics from the England's Home Office, keyless entry is the reason for about half of all vehicle thefts. It's interesting to note that earlier models with proximity keys, but no button to start the vehicle are also targeted by thieves.
It was the norm that crooks needed to break into your car through the door or window, but the introduction of keyless and remote locking ignition systems made it possible to do so from the distance. Thieves have developed devices that are able to detect a signal from your car's key fob and amplify it, then transmit it to an emulatorwhich is basically a fake car key. This device then emulates the signal of your car key which allows it to unlock and start your car.
Hacking of this kind, according to the CBC is increasing. Thieves can gain entry to cars within less than 20 seconds and then steal them. This is because keyless systems don't require the driver to carry their key in their hand or pocket.
A couple of years ago, a Toronto man found his Toyota RAV4 torn up and its headlight dismantled not once, but twice in three months. He discovered that this wasn't just senseless vandalism; it was part of a sophisticated scheme to steal keys from automobiles.
They work in teams and are known as "relay attackers." The relay amplifier is controlled by one person, whereas another person holds a device which can pick the remote control signal from your car and send it to the amplified device. This could trick your car into thinking that your key fob was in the vicinity, allowing it to open the doors and drive away.
Some drivers use security systems that are made available by the market to stop this. However the best defense is to keep your key fob inside an aluminum container, or the signal-blocking pouch, like a faraday box. They are reasonably priced and are available online.
Deterrents
Modern thieves employ sophisticated devices to intercept the signal transmitted by key fobs. If they have the key fob, they can duplicate the code to unlock the car and then start the motor. The best deterrent is to make sure that the key fob is not left in range of the vehicle when it is parked up, preferably in a garage. You can also try storing the key in an e-bag or container to prevent its signal from being detected. You could also consider investing in an electronic device to track your car, which although it can't stop the vehicle from being stolen, will aid in finding it later.
Two criminals working together to steal your car from outside is one of the most alarming forms of car burglaries that don't require keys. One of the thieves is near the car they want to steal with an electronic transmitter that picks up the signal from the owner's genuine digital key fob and transmits it on to a second box that is placed next to, or held in, the vehicle that is targeted. This effectively fools the car into thinking that the owner has clicked the lock button and then unlocked the door. The thief who stole the door then drives off check here in the vehicle.
While some experts recommend installing expensive after-market security systems to stop this kind of crime, these are not always effective and are easily defeated by criminals equipped with the right equipment and know-how. The best option is to invest in deterrents that will make the job of stealing your car more difficult for thieves, including the lock on your steering wheel that makes it extremely hard to steal your car.
Install motion-detection lighting around your home and garage to scare away thieves. You can also install CCTV cameras that catch criminals in the act. Another simple but effective deterrent is to park your vehicle in a well-lit and visible area. This will deter thieves, who are more likely to be opportunists instead of targeted thieves, from attempting to steal your car.
Think about purchasing a keyless system that only the owner of the vehicle has the unique security code. This feature is only available on modern vehicles and will require an expert installation, however it's worth the investment since it will make your car much less appealing to thieves.
Prevention
As the rate of keyless car theft rises, it becomes even more important for vehicle owners to employ effective preventative strategies. When not in use, smart keys can be stored in a Faraday box or pouch. These items are equipped with a metal liner that blocks radio signals, thus stopping thieves from intercepting and copying them. Installing an immobilizer or steering lock is another way to deter thieves. It can also physically stop the steering wheel from turning or the engine from starting in the event that they manage to get around the keyless entry system.
Another strategy involves parking the car in a more secure location away from doors and windows. This could frighten thieves and make it difficult for them to identify who is the owner of the vehicle. Etching the VIN onto windows and headlights is a great deterrent as it makes it difficult to duplicate stolen vehicles.
Dealerships can stop theft of keys from cars by implementing stringent security measures. Dealerships must train their employees on the importance and best practices in key inventory and vehicle handling. They can do this by putting up fencing around their perimeters and establishing a designated car storage area. Dealerships should also regularly audit their inventory in order to spot any issues.
In some cases, thieves will try to bypass built-in security measures by using an electronic device that taps into the vehicle's computer. These devices are typically plugged into the diagnostic port which is typically located in the front footwell of all cars. The thieves then program the blank key fob to open the vehicle and begin it without the owner's consent.
Fortunately, there are some actions you can take to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of keyless car theft. One of them is to stop criminals from accessing your vehicle's computer using an antenna shielded from interference and concealing or removing any electronic devices inside the car, and then storing the key fob in a Faraday bag or box. Installing a GPS tracker and an immobilizer can increase the chances of locating your vehicle after it has been stolen, and also aiding law enforcement in catching the criminals. Contact an expert in auto electrics to find out the best preventative measures for your vehicle and you.