17 Signs To Know If You Work With 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. There are a few easy deterrents to stop thieves from gaining access to your car.
One of the latest tactics employed by hackers is called relay theft. Two thieves collaborate to gain access to your vehicle. They employ a device that can take the signal from your key fob, then transmit it to the vehicle.
Keyless Car Theft
Owning a keyless car is like entering the future, but it can also make your car an easy target for thieves. As with all new technology criminals quickly learn to exploit their weaknesses. There are ways to stop your car being stolen without requiring entry.
In the past, thieves that wanted to steal a car had to either obtain keys to it or wire it. They now have the ability to use sophisticated technology to hack cars that are keyless and then start them. 92% of the cars recovered by UK car security firm Tracker in 2019 were stolen in this manner.
Criminals are able to profit from this technology by utilizing electronic signal relay devices that snoop on the signal sent by the key fob of the vehicle. These devices can be bought on the internet for as little as PS80. The devices can then send the same signal to nearby vehicles and trick them into unlocking and then turning off themselves.
After the car has been opened, the criminal can drive off without leaving a trace. As a result, keyless car theft is on the rise. In the US it is responsible for up to 65% of all car thefts, and could result in you paying a hefty insurance cost.
Although specific data on keyless car theft isn't easy to find, it's safe to assume that cars equipped with push-to-start ignition systems are more likely to be targeted than vehicles that require keys to be physically entered into the ignition. Other factors that affect the vulnerability of a vehicle include its popularity with thieves as well as its model and brand and security protocols.
Despite the efforts of car manufacturers to close the loopholes, certain keyless vehicles are more vulnerable to attack than others. Thatcham Research 2020 conducted a study to assess the resistance of a variety of models to theft through keyless entry. They rated them as Basic, Poor or Superior based on the degree to which they were able to resist this method. It is crucial to take extra precautions when your car has keyless entry or start features.
How It Happens
As cars have become more advanced as they have advanced, thieves have been experimenting with methods to break into them. This includes stealing keyless vehicles by using technology that intercepts signals or "hacks" the fob to unlock and start the car. The risk is especially high for cars that are more modern and luxurious. The latest data from the Home Office show that keyless entry accounts for around half of all vehicle thefts in England. It's interesting to see that older models with proximity keys, but no button to start the vehicle are also targeted by thieves.
It used to be that crooks needed to break into your car via the door or window, but the introduction of keyless and remote locking ignition systems meant they could do so from the distance. The thieves have created devices that can detect the signal from your key fob and amplify it before transmitting it to a emulator -that is essentially an imitation key. This device then emulates the signal from your car key, allowing it to unlock and even start your car.
The CBC reports that this kind 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 the driver to keep 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 only once, but twice within three months. He realized that this was not just vandalism, but a part of a sophisticated scheme to steal keyless vehicles.
These thieves work in teams and are known as "relay attackers." The relay amplifier is held by one person, whereas the other person holds an instrument that can pick the remote control signal from your car and send it back to that amplified device. This can then make your car believe that your key fob read more is near, enabling it to open the doors and begin taking off.
Certain drivers install aftermarket security systems in order to avoid this. However, the best defense is to keep your key fob inside metal containers, or a an accessory that blocks signals, like a faraday box. These are available online at affordable prices.
Deterrents
Modern thieves employ sophisticated devices to intercept signals transmitted by key fobs. If they have it, they are able to copy the code to unlock the vehicle and then begin the motor. The best deterrent 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 put the key in a metal container or Faraday pouch to stop its signal. You can also buy a tracking device that will not prevent the car being stolen, but it can aid in finding it later.
One of the most worrying types of keyless car theft is the so-called relay attack, where two thieves work together to steal a vehicle from outside your house. One of the thieves stands near the car they want to steal with a wireless transmitter that picks up the signal from the owner's authentic digital key fob and transmits it on 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 pressed the lock button and then unlocked the door. The thief drives off in the vehicle.
Certain experts recommend expensive after-market systems to prevent this kind of crime. However, they aren't always successful and are easily defeated if criminals possess the proper knowledge and technology. A better option is to invest in security measures that will make the job of stealing your car difficult for thieves, such as a steering wheel lock which makes it difficult for thieves to steal your car.
Install motion detection lights around your home and garage to scare away thieves. You can also install CCTV cameras that will catch criminals in their actions. Parking your car in a spot that is well-lit and easily visible can be an easy but effective way to deter thieves. This will deter thieves, who are likely to be opportunists, not targeted thieves, from trying to steal your vehicle.
In addition to these deterrents, think about investing in an entry system that uses unique security codes that are only recognized by the owner of the vehicle. This feature is only available on a few newer models and requires professional installation. However, it could be well worth the investment since it makes your vehicle less attractive to thieves.
Prevention
As the incidence of car thefts that are keyless increases, it becomes even more important for vehicle owners to implement effective prevention strategies. When not in use, smart keys can be kept in a Faraday box or pouch. These items are equipped with a metal liner that blocks radio signals, thus preventing thieves from intercepting and copying them. Installing a steering lock or immobilizer is a different method of deterring thieves. It is also able to physically prevent the steering wheel from rotating or the engine from being started in the event that they manage to get around the keyless entry system.
Another alternative is to park the vehicle in a place that is more secure, away from doors or windows. This can confuse thieves and make it difficult for them to identify the owner of the vehicle. Etching the VIN onto windows and headlights is a great deterrent because it makes it difficult to duplicate stolen vehicles.
Dealerships can aid in preventing keyless car theft by instituting stringent security measures. In addition to perimeter fencing and a dedicated car storage area, dealerships should train their employees on the importance of vigilance as well as applying best methods for key inventory and handling of vehicles. Additionally, dealerships must regularly review their inventory to spot any irregularities.
In some cases, thieves will try to bypass security measures built into the vehicle with an electronic device that taps into the computer in the vehicle. These devices are typically plugged into the diagnostic port which is typically located in the front footwell of most automobiles. The thieves can then program a blank key fob to unlock the vehicle and then start it without the owner's consent.
There are a few steps you can take to reduce the chance of becoming a victim of unintentional theft of your car. Some of these include preventing criminals from tapping into your vehicle's computer by using a shielded antenna and removing or hiding any electronics inside the vehicle, and storing the key fob in a Faraday pouch or box. You can also install a GPS tracker or an immobilizer to increase the likelihood of locating your vehicle after it is stolen, and help police in catching the culprits. Contact an auto electric expert to determine which preventative measures are best for you and your vehicle.