Keyless Car Stolen: It's Not As Difficult As You Think
Wiki Article
How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen
Modern cars that have no keys are the most popular target for thieves. The good news is that there are some simple deterrents that can be used to assist.
Relay theft is a brand new technique that is used by smart thieves. It involves two thieves working together to gain access to your car. They employ a device that can detect the signal from your key fob and then transmit it to the vehicle.
Keyless Car Theft
Owning a keyless car feels like stepping into the future, but it could also make your car an easy to target for thieves. Criminals quickly learn how to exploit new technologies. There are ways to avoid your car being stolen without having to force access to your vehicle.
In the past, thieves who wanted to steal a vehicle had to either obtain keys to it or hotwire it. Nowadays, they can use advanced technology to hack keysless cars and then start them. In fact 92% of vehicles UK security firm Tracker recovered in 2019 were stolen through this method.
Criminals can profit from this technology by utilizing electronic signal relay devices that steal the signal sent by the key fob of the vehicle. They can be purchased on the internet for as little as PS80. The devices can then send the identical signal to nearby vehicles and trick them into unlocking and turning off themselves.
After the car has been opened, the criminal can drive off without leaving any trace. In the end, keyless car theft is increasing. In the US, keyless car theft could be responsible for up to 70% of all car thefts. This can lead to an increase in insurance costs.
Although specific data on keyless car theft isn't easy to find It's safe to conclude that cars equipped with push-to-start ignition systems are more likely to be targeted than vehicles that require the use of a physical key to get into the ignition. Other factors could affect the vulnerability of a car such as its popularity with thieves, its model and brand, and security protocol.
While companies have tried to patch these loopholes but there are still keyless cars that are more vulnerable to attack than others. Thatcham Research 2020 conducted a study to evaluate the resistance of a range of models to keyless theft. They classified them as Poor, Basic or Superior based on the extent to which they could resist this technique. Therefore, it's essential to take extra security measures if your vehicle has keyless entry or start features.
What Happens?
As cars evolved as they have advanced, thieves have been experimenting with ways to break into them. The technology used to steal keyless cars intercepts signals and "hacks" the fob to unlock the car. The risks are greater for luxury cars that are newer. According to the most recent statistics from the English Home Office, keyless entry is the main reason for around half of the vehicle thefts. It's interesting to note that earlier models that had proximity keys, but no button to start the vehicle have also been targeted by thieves.
The introduction of keyless ignition and remote locking systems has allowed thieves to gain access to your vehicle from a distance. Thieves have invented devices that can detect the signal from the car's key fob, amplify it and then transmit it to an emulator -which is basically an imitation car key. This device then replicates 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 get into vehicles in less than 20 second and steal them. This is because keyless systems do not require that the driver has their fob in their hand or pocket.
A couple of years ago some time ago, a Toronto man discovered his Toyota RAV4 torn up and its headlight was broken not just only once, but twice over the span of three months. He realized that this was not just vandalism, but part of a sophisticated method for stealing keys from vehicles.
These thieves are called "relay attackers," and they work in groups. The relay amplifier is controlled by one person, while the other person is holding an instrument that can pick the remote control signal of your car and send it back to the amplified device. This can then make your car believe that your key fob is nearby and allow it to open the doors and start 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 signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday pouch. They are affordable and can be purchased online.
Deterrents
Modern thieves employ sophisticated tools to intercept the signals sent by key fobs. If they have it, they are able to copy the code to unlock the vehicle and then start the engine. The best way to deter thieves is to ensure that the key fob doesn't remain in the range of the vehicle when it is parked, preferably in the garage. You can also place the key in a container made of metal or Faraday pouch to prevent its signal from being detected. You can also buy an electronic device to track your car. It does not stop the car from being stolen but can assist in locating it after.
Two criminals working together to steal your vehicle from the outside is one of the most alarming forms of keyless car burglary. One of the thieves is near the car they want to steal with an electronic transmitter that picks the signal from owner's genuine digital key fob and transmits it on to a second box that is placed near or inside the vehicle being targeted. This tricked the car into thinking that the owner had unlocked the door and had pressed the lock. The other thief then drives off in the vehicle.
Although some experts suggest installing expensive security systems to stop this type of crime, they aren't always efficient and can be easily defeated by criminals with the right tools and knowledge. A better option is to invest in deterrents that make the task of stealing your car more difficult for thieves, such as a steering wheel lock which makes it very difficult to drive away.
You can also install motion detection lights around your garage and home that will light up and keep thieves away, and CCTV cameras, which will aid in recording footage of criminals during the act. Parking your vehicle in an area that is well-lit and easily visible can be a simple but effective method of deterring thieves. This will discourage thieves, who are more likely to be opportunists rather than targeted thieves, from attempting to take your vehicle.
You should consider purchasing a keyless system that only the owner of the vehicle is aware of the security code. This feature is only available on newer cars and will require a professional installation, but it is worth the expense because it makes your car much less attractive to thieves.
Prevention
It is becoming more important for vehicle owners, as the incidence of keyless theft increases, to implement effective preventative measures. When not in use, smart keys can be stored in a Faraday pouch or box. These items are lined with steel to block radio signals and stop thieves from intercepting or copying them. In addition, a steering wheel lock or immobilizer can act as an effective deterrent, as well as physically preventing 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 secure area away from doors and windows. This could frighten thieves and make it harder for them to determine who is the owner of the car. Inscribing the VIN onto windows and headlights is also a good deterrent since it makes it difficult to clone stolen vehicles.
Dealerships can assist in preventing theft of keys from cars by implementing strict security measures. In addition to perimeter fencing and a dedicated car storage area, dealerships should offer employees training on the importance of vigilance and adopting the best methods for key inventory and handling vehicles. Additionally, dealerships should regularly check their inventory to identify any irregularities.
In certain instances, criminals may attempt to circumvent the security features built into the vehicle by using a device that can access the computer of the vehicle. These devices are plugged into the diagnostic ports, which are typically located in the footwells of most cars. The thieves are then able to program an unlocked key fob to open the car and start it without permission from the owner.
Fortunately, there are ways you can take to decrease the chance of becoming a victim of keyless car theft. Some of these include preventing criminals from gaining access to the computer in your vehicle by using shielded antennas and removing or what to do if car keys stolen hiding any electronics inside the vehicle, and storing the key fob in a Faraday pouch or box. Installing a GPS tracker and immobilizer will increase your chances of locating your vehicle when it is 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 vehicle.