Watch Out: How Keyless Car Stolen Is Taking Over And What To Do
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How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen
Modern cars that have no keys are the most popular target for thieves. There are a few simple deterrents to stop thieves from gaining access to your car.
Relay theft is a new technique used by tech-savvy thieves. Two thieves collaborate in order to gain access to the vehicle. They use a device that captures the signal from your keyfob and then transmits it to your vehicle.
Keyless Car Theft
A car that is keyless feels like entering the future, but it can also make your car an easy to target for thieves. Like all new technologies, criminals quickly learn how to exploit them. There are ways to stop your vehicle from being stolen without requiring access to your vehicle.
In the past, thieves who wanted to steal a vehicle had to either obtain keys to it or wire it. Now, they can use sophisticated technology to hack keyless cars and start them up. In fact, 92% of the vehicles UK car security firm Tracker discovered in 2019 were stolen using this method.
To make the most of this technology, criminals employ electronic signal relay devices to hijack the signal that is transmitted from the key fob in a vehicle's ignition. They are easily accessible on the internet and can cost just PS80 each. The devices will then transmit the same signal to nearby vehicles and trick them into unlocking and then turning off the devices.
Once the car has been started the thief is able to take it off with ease and without leaving a trace leaving a trace. Keyless car theft has increased due to. In the US the number of stolen cars is up to 65% of car thefts and could result in you paying a high insurance premium.
It's difficult to find specific data on keyless cars, but it's safest to suppose that cars with push-to-start ignitions are more susceptible to theft to be harmed than those that require a physical key for the ignition to work. Other factors could affect the security of a vehicle that could be a target, such as its popularity among thieves as well as its model and brand, and its security protocols.
Despite the efforts made by manufacturers to close these loopholes, certain keyless cars are more vulnerable to attack than others. A study conducted by Thatcham Research in 2020 assessed how resilient a range of models were to keyless theft and gave them Poor, Basic and Superior scores based on their ability to resist the attack. It is important to take extra care when your vehicle has keyless entry or start features.
How It Happens
As cars become more advanced, thieves have been developing methods to break into them. The technology used to steal keysless vehicles intercepts signals and "hacks" the fob to allow access to the car. The risk is higher for luxury vehicles that are newer. The latest data from the Home Office show that keyless entry accounts for around half of all vehicle thefts in England. Interestingly, older luxury models that utilize a proximity key but don't include a button to start the vehicle have also been frequent targets for thieves.
The introduction of keyless ignition and remote locking systems has allowed thieves to gain access to your vehicle from the distance. Thieves have created devices that pick up signals from the car's key fob, amplify it and then transmit it to an emulator -which is basically an imitation car key. The device mimics the signal from your car key, allowing you to unlock and start your vehicle.
The CBC says that this type of hacking is on the rise and thieves are capable of gaining access to cars and take them for themselves within less than 20 seconds. This is because keyless systems do not require the driver to have their fob in their hand or pocket.
Two years ago, in Toronto, a man was shocked to find his Toyota RAV4 ripped apart and its headlights removed not just once, but two times within three months. He realized that this wasn't only vandalism, but was part of a sophisticated method to steal keyless vehicles.
They are referred to as "relay attackers," and they work in teams. One person is equipped with a relay amplifier, while the other is holding a device that picks up your car's remote control signal and transmit it to the amplified device. This could trick your car into believing your key fob is in the vicinity and allow it to open the doors and begin taking off.
Some drivers install security systems that are made available by the market to avoid this. However, the best defense is to keep your key fob in a metal container, or an accessory that blocks signals, like a faraday box. They are available online for an affordable price.
Deterrents
Modern thieves employ sophisticated devices to intercept the signal relays sent out via key fobs. If they have this they can copy it to unlock the car and start the engine. The best deterrent is to make sure that the key fob is not placed in the range of the vehicle when it is in a garage in a garage, and preferably in a garage. You can also try storing the key in an e-bag or container to stop its signal. You can also invest in an electronic device to track your car, which will not stop the vehicle from being stolen, will help in locating it afterwards.
One of the most threatening kinds of keyless car theft involves so-called'relay attacks', in which two criminals collaborate to steal a car from your home. One of the thieves stands close to the car being targeted with a wireless transmitter that picks the signal from owner's genuine digital key fob and transmits it to a second box which is positioned next to, or held in, the vehicle being targeted. The car was tricked into thinking that the owner had unlocked the door and pressed the lock. The thief who stole the car is driven away in the vehicle.
Although some experts suggest installing expensive security systems to stop this type of crime, these are not always effective and can be easily defeated website by criminals equipped with the right technology and knowledge. A better option is to invest in deterrents that make the task of stealing your car more difficult for thieves, like the locking of your steering wheel, which makes it very difficult to steal your car.
Install motion-detection lights around your garage and home to deter thieves. You can also install CCTV cameras that record criminals in action. Parking your car in a location that is well-lit and visible is a simple but effective method of deterring thieves. This will deter thieves, who are more likely to be opportunists, not targeted thieves, from trying to steal your vehicle.
In addition to these security measures, consider purchasing the keyless entry system which has unique security codes that are only known by the owner of the vehicle. This is only available on certain models that are newer and requires a professional to install. However, it could be well worth the cost since it makes your vehicle less appealing to thieves.
Prevention
It is becoming increasingly essential for owners of vehicles as the risk of keyless theft increases to take effective preventative measures. When not in use smart keys can be kept in a Faraday pouch or box. These objects are lined with metal to block radio signals and stop thieves from stealing or intercepting the signals. Installing a steering lock or immobilizer is another way to deter thieves. It can also physically prevent the steering wheel from rotating or the engine from being started in the event that they manage to bypass the keyless entry system.
Another option is to park the car in a secure area away from windows and doors. This can confuse thieves, making it difficult for them to identify the owner of the vehicle. In addition, etching the VIN on headlights and windows could also be a deterrent, since it makes cloning stolen vehicles much more difficult.
Dealerships can stop theft of keys from cars by implementing strict security measures. Dealerships should educate their employees about the importance and best practices in key inventory and handling of vehicles. They can accomplish this by putting up perimeter fencing and establishing a designated vehicle storage area. Dealerships should also regularly review their inventory to spot any anomalies.
In certain instances, criminals may attempt to circumvent the security features built into the vehicle by using an electronic device to access the computer of the vehicle. These devices are typically connected into the diagnostic port which is usually located in the front footwell of many cars. The thieves are then able to program a blank key fob to unlock the car and start it without the owner's consent.
There are a few actions you can take to decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim of keyless car theft. You can deter criminals from gaining access to your car's computer by using an antenna that is shielded take out or cover any electronics inside the vehicle, and then store the key fob inside the Faraday pouch or box. Installing a GPS tracker and immobilizer will improve your chances of locating your vehicle after it's been stolen, as well as 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.