How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being stolen key fob
Modern vehicles with keyless locks are a favorite target for thieves. There are a few basic deterrents to stop thieves from gaining access to your car.
Relay theft is a new technique that is used by smart thieves. Two thieves collaborate to gain access to the vehicle. They use a device to take the signal from your key fob and then transmit it to the vehicle.
Keyless Car Theft
The convenience of a car with no keys is like entering the future, but it can also make your vehicle an easy to target for thieves. Criminals quickly learn to take advantage of new technologies. There are ways to prevent your vehicle from being stolen without having to force access to your vehicle.
In the past, thieves that wanted to steal a car required a key to it or wire it. Nowadays, they can use advanced technology to hack keysless cars and start up. In fact 92% of the vehicles UK security firm Tracker discovered in 2019 were stolen by this method.
Criminals can take advantage of this technology by using electronic signal relay devices that steal the signal that is transmitted by the key fob of the vehicle. These devices are widely available on the internet for as little as PS80 each. They can transmit the same signal to vehicles nearby and make it unlock and starting itself.
Once the car is started, the thief can take it off with ease and without leaving a trace leaving a trace. In the end, keyless car keys stolen but not car theft is increasing. In the US it is responsible for up to 65% of car thefts and could result in you paying an inflated insurance cost.
Although specific data on keyless car theft is difficult to find, it’s safe to assume that vehicles with push-to start ignition systems are more likely to be targeted than cars that require keys to be physically entered into the ignition. Other factors that affect the vulnerability of a vehicle include its popularity among thieves and their brand, model and name, and its security protocols.
While manufacturers have made efforts to patch these loopholes but there are still keyless cars that are more vulnerable to attack than others. A study by Thatcham Research in 2020 assessed how resilient a range of models were to theft via keyless car Stolen (https://g28-car-keys01638.blogginaway.com) and gave them Poor, Basic and Superior ratings based on their ability to resist the attack. Therefore, it’s essential to take extra precautions if your car has keyless start or entry features.
How It Happens
The technology in automobiles has advanced, and thieves have devised new methods to gain access. The technology used to steal keysless cars intercepts signals and “hacks” the fob in order to open the car. Risks are higher for luxury cars that are recently manufactured. The latest figures from the Home Office show that keyless entry accounts for roughly half of all vehicle thefts in England. It’s interesting to note that older luxury models that have proximity keys, but no button to start the vehicle are also targeted by thieves.
It was the norm that criminals had to break into your car through the door or window however, the advent of keyless and remote locking ignition systems meant they could do it from a distance. Thieves have invented devices that are able to pick up signals from your car’s key fob, amplify it and then transmit it to an emulator — essentially an imitation car key. This device then emulates the signal from your car key and allows it to unlock and start your vehicle.
Hacking of this kind According to the CBC, is on the rise. Thieves can gain entry to vehicles in a matter of less than 20 seconds and steal them. This is because keyless systems do not require that the driver have their key in hand or in their pocket.
A couple of years ago in the past, an Toronto man found 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 part of a sophisticated scheme for stealing keyless vehicles.
The thieves are in teams and are known as “relay attackers.” The relay amplifier is controlled by one person, and the other person holds the device that picks the remote control signal from your car and transmit it to the amplified device. This could make your car believe that your key fob is in the vicinity, enabling it to open the doors and begin taking off.
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, like a Faraday box. They are reasonably priced and are available online.
Deterrents
Modern thieves employ sophisticated devices to intercept the signal sent by key fobs. If they have it, they are able to duplicate the code to unlock the car and then start the motor. The best deterrent is to ensure that the key fob isn’t placed in the range of the vehicle when it is parked up or in garages. You can also store the key in a metal container or Faraday pouch to stop its signal. You might also consider an alarm system that although it can’t stop the car from being stolen, can aid in finding it later.
One of the most alarming kinds of keyless car theft is a type of’relay attack’ where two thieves work together to steal a car from the outside of your home. The thieves employ an electronic transmitter to pick up the signal from the car key stolen but not car owner’s digital key fob. They then transmit it to a different device that is either put in the vehicle or right next to it. This tricked the car into thinking that the owner has hit the lock button and unlocked the door. The thief who stole the door then takes off in the car.
While some experts recommend installing expensive after-market security systems to prevent this kind of crime these are not always efficient and can be easily defeated by criminals with the right tools and knowledge. A better option is to invest in security measures that make the task of stealing your car more difficult for thieves, such as a steering wheel lock which makes it extremely hard to get away.
Install motion detection lights around your garage and home to deter thieves. You can also install CCTV cameras to record criminals in the act. Another effective and simple deterrent is to park your vehicle in a well-lit and visible area. This will dissuade thieves who are more likely be opportunists rather than targeted thieves from trying to steal your car.
Think about investing in a keyless system that only the owner of the vehicle is aware of the unique security code. This is only available on some newer models and requires professional installation. However, it can be well worth the cost since it makes your vehicle less attractive to thieves.
The following is a list with preventions.
It is becoming more important for vehicle owners, as the incidence of theft through keyless keys rises, to implement effective preventative measures. This could include storing smart keys in the Faraday pouch or box when not in use. These items have a metal liner that blocks radio signals, hindering thieves from stealing and copying them. Additionally, installing a steering wheel lock or immobilizer could be an deterrent as well as physically stopping the steering wheel from turning or the engine from starting, should a criminal be successful in gaining access to the keyless entry system.
Another option is to park the vehicle in a place that is more secure and away from doors or windows. This could confuse thieves and make it harder for them to determine who is the owner of the vehicle. Inscribing the VIN onto windows and headlights can also be a deterrent because it makes it difficult to clone stolen vehicles.
Dealerships can stop theft of keys from cars by implementing strict security measures. In addition to perimeter fencing and a separate car storage area, dealerships should provide employees with training on the importance of vigilance as well as adopting best practices for key inventory and handling of vehicles. Dealerships should also conduct regular audits of their inventory in order to spot any issues.
In some instances, crooks will try to bypass the security features of the vehicle by using an electronic device to 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 cars. The thieves then program a blank key fob to open the car and start it without permission from the owner.
Fortunately, there are some actions you can take to decrease the risk of being a victim of car key theft. You can deter criminals from hacking into your car’s computer with a shielded radio antenna, remove or conceal any electronic devices inside the vehicle, and then store the key fob inside the Faraday pouch or box. Installing a GPS tracker and an immobilizer can increase the chances of finding your car keys stolen from house and car stolen after it’s been stolen car keys from house, while also aiding law enforcement in catching the criminals. Contact an expert in auto electrics to determine what preventative measures are most suitable for you and your car.