How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen

Modern vehicles with keyless locks are a favorite target for thieves. The good news is that there are some simple deterrents that can be used to help.

Relay theft is a novel method used by thieves who are tech-savvy. This involves two thieves working together to gain access to the vehicle. They make use of an instrument that records the signal from the key fob and then transmits it to the vehicle.

Keyless Car Theft

It's a great feeling to own a car with no keys, but it also makes your car ripe for theft. Like all new technologies criminals quickly learn to make use of their weaknesses. There are ways to prevent your car being stolen car key without forcing entry.

In the past, thieves who wanted to steal a car had to either get a key to it or stolen keys What to Do hotwire it. Today, they can make use of sophisticated technology to hack into keyless cars and 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 use electronic signal relay devices to hijack the signal being transmitted from the key fob of a car's ignition. They can be purchased on the internet for as little as PS80. The devices will then transmit the same signal to nearby vehicles and fool them into unlocking and then turning off the devices.

When the car is parked, the thief can take it off with ease and without leaving a trace left behind. Keyless car theft has increased due to. In the US, keyless car theft can account for up to 70% of all car thefts. This can result in an increase in insurance premium.

It's difficult to locate specific information about cars that are keyless however, it's safest to assume that cars that have push-to-start ignitions are more likely than those that need keys to turn on the ignition. Other factors that affect the vulnerability of a car stolen without key include its popularity with thieves and their brand, model and name and security protocols.

Despite the efforts of my car keys have been stolen what do i do manufacturers to close these loopholes certain keyless cars are more vulnerable to attack than other. Thatcham Research 2020 conducted a study to evaluate the resistance of a range of models against theft via keyless. They rated them as Basic, Poor or Superior based on how well they were able to resist this method. Therefore, it's essential to take extra security measures if your vehicle has keyless start or entry features.

How It Happens

As cars evolved and sophisticated, thieves have been devising ways to break into them. The technology used to steal keysless cars intercepts signals, and "hacks" the fob to unlock the car. The risk is particularly high for luxury vehicles that are newer. According to the latest figures from England's Home Office, keyless entry is responsible for about half of all vehicle thefts. It's interesting to see that older 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 made it possible to do so from a distance. The thieves have devised devices that pick up the signal from your key fob and amplify it before transmitting it to an emulator- basically the equivalent of a fake key. The device then mimics the signal of your car key which allows it to unlock and even start your car.

The CBC reports that this kind of hacking is increasing, with thieves able to get into cars and take them away in less than 20 seconds. This is due to the fact that keyless systems do not require the driver to have their key in hand or pocket.

A few years ago, an Toronto man discovered his Toyota RAV4 torn up and its headlight smashed not just at all, but twice within three months. He realized that this wasn't just vandalism, but a part of a sophisticated scheme for stealing keys from vehicles.

The thieves are 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 up your car's remote control signal, and transmit it back to the amplified device. This can trick your car into believing that your key fob was nearby which allows it to open doors and drive away.

Certain drivers install security devices from the market to prevent this. However the best way to protect yourself is to keep your key fob in a metal container, or an accessory that blocks signals, such as a faraday box. They are affordable and can be purchased on the internet.

Deterrents

Modern thieves employ sophisticated tools to intercept signals transmitted by key fobs. If they are able to get this, they can copy it to unlock the car and then start the engine. The best way to stop thieves is to ensure that the key fob doesn't remain within the reach of the vehicle once it is parked, and preferably in the garage. You could also consider storing the key in a Faraday pouch or metal container 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.

One of the most threatening types of keyless car theft is the so-called relay attack, where two criminals work together to steal a vehicle from the outside of your home. One of them is close to the targeted car with wireless transmitters that pick the signal from owner's authentic digital key fob and transmits it to a second device that is positioned next to, or held in, the vehicle that is targeted. This effectively fools the car into thinking that the owner has hit the lock button and then unlocked the door. The thief who stole the door then drives off in the vehicle.

While some experts recommend installing expensive security systems to prevent this type of crime, these are not always efficient and can be easily defeated by criminals who have the right tools and knowledge. It is best to invest in deterrents to make it harder for thieves to take your vehicle, for example the steering lock that makes it difficult for thieves to escape.

Install motion-detection lighting around your home and garage to scare away thieves. You can also install CCTV cameras to record criminals in the act. Parking your vehicle in a spot that is well-lit and visible can be an easy but effective method to deter thieves. This will discourage thieves who are more likely to be opportunists than targeted thieves from attempting to take your car.

You should consider investing in a keyless system that only the owner of the vehicle is aware of the unique security code. This feature is only available on a few newer models and requires a professional installation. However, it can be worth the cost as it makes your car less appealing to thieves.

Prevention

It is becoming increasingly crucial for car owners as the risk of thefts involving keys increases and it is essential to implement effective prevention measures. These could include storing their smart my keys were stolen in a Faraday pouch or box when not in use. These objects are lined with metal to block radio signals and stop thieves from intercepting or copying their signals. In addition, a steering wheel lock or immobilizer could be a deterrent, as well as physically stopping the steering wheel from turning or the engine from starting in the event that a criminal succeeds in gaining access to the keyless entry system.

Another strategy involves parking the car in a secured area in a safe distance from doors and windows. This can confuse thieves and make it harder for them to identify who is the owner of the vehicle. In addition engraving the VIN on the headlights and windows can also act as a deterrent, since it makes cloning stolen keys what to do if car keys are stolen to do (visit the website) vehicles much more difficult.

Dealerships can aid in preventing keyless car theft by instituting stringent security measures. Along with perimeter fencing and a dedicated car storage area, dealerships should offer employees training on the importance of vigilance and adopting the best practices for key inventory and vehicle handling. Dealerships should also regularly check their inventory to spot any discrepancies.

In some cases, crooks will try to bypass the security features of the vehicle by using a device that can connect to the computer in the vehicle. These devices are plugged into the diagnostic ports, which are generally found in the footwells of the majority of cars. The thieves can program the remote with blank code to start the car without the owner's permission.

Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take to decrease the chance of becoming a victim of a keyless car theft. Some of these include preventing criminals from gaining access to your vehicle's computer using an antenna shielded from interference and concealing or removing any electronics inside the car, and then storing the key fob in a Faraday bag or box. Installing a GPS tracker and immobilizer can increase the chances of finding your car after it has been stolen, and also helping law enforcement to catch the criminals. Contact an auto electrical expert to determine which preventative measures will work best for you and your car.