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How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen
Modern vehicles that are keyless are a popular 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 in order to gain access to the vehicle. They employ a device that can detect the signal from your key fob, then transmit 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. As with all new technologies criminals quickly learn to make use of their weaknesses. There are ways to stop your car from being stolen, without requiring entry.
In the past, thieves seeking to steal a car would require keys or wire it. Nowadays, they can use advanced technology to hack cars that are keyless and start up. 92% of the cars recovered by UK security firm Tracker Tracker in 2019 were stolen in this manner.
To make the most of this technology, criminals make use of electronic signal relay devices to steal the signal that is transmitted from the key fob of a car's ignition. They can be purchased on the internet for as little as PS80. They can then send the same signal to vehicles nearby and fool it into unlocking and re-starting itself.
Once the car is started the thief is able to take it off with ease and without leaving a trace left behind. Keyless car theft has increased as a result. In the US it is responsible for up to 65% of all car thefts, and could result in you paying an inflated insurance cost.
Although specific information about keyless car theft is hard to find It's safe to conclude that cars equipped with push-to-start ignition systems are more likely to be targeted than those that require a physical key to enter the ignition. Other factors can affect the vulnerability of a vehicle such as its popularity with thieves and its model and the brand, and its security protocol.
While companies have tried to plug these holes however, there are some keyless car models more susceptible to attack than others. A study conducted by Thatcham Research in 2020 assessed the degree of resistance a variety of models were to keyless theft and gave them Poor, Basic and Superior scores based on their ability to resist the attack. It is crucial to take extra precautions when your vehicle has keyless start or entry features.
What Happens?
As cars have become more advanced and sophisticated, thieves have been devising ways to break into them. This includes stealing keyless cars using technology that intercepts signals or "hacks" the fob to open and start the car. The risk is higher for luxury vehicles that are newer. The most recent figures from the Home Office show that keyless entry accounts for roughly half of the vehicle thefts that occur in England. It's interesting to see that older luxury models that had proximity keys, but no button to start the vehicle are also targeted by thieves.
It was the norm that crooks needed 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 created devices that pick up a signal from your car's key fob, amplify it and then transmit it to an emulator- essentially fake car keys. The device simulates your car key's signal which allows you to open 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 don't require drivers to have their fob in their pocket or in their hand.
Two years ago in Toronto, a man discovered his Toyota RAV4 ripped apart and its headlight smashed off not once, but two times within three months. He realized that this was not just vandalism, but a part of a sophisticated technique to steal keyless vehicles.
The thieves are known as "relay attackers," and they work in groups. One person has an amplifier for relays, while the other is holding a device that can pick up your car's remote control signal and then transmit it back to the amplified device. This can then trick your car into believing your key fob is near, enabling it to open the doors and begin taking off.
Some drivers are installing aftermarket security systems to protect themselves however the best way to protect yourself is to keep your key fob in a metal container or a signal-blocking pouch such as a Faraday box. They are reasonably priced and can be purchased on the internet.
Deterrents
Modern thieves use sophisticated devices to intercept the signal relay that is sent out via key fobs. If they have it, they are able to copy the code to unlock the vehicle and then start the engine. The best method of deterring theft is to make sure that the key fob is not kept in the vicinity of the vehicle when it is parked, preferably in garages. You can also try storing the key in a Faraday pouch or metal container to prevent its signal from being detected. You might also consider an alarm system that although it can't stop the vehicle from being stolen, can help in locating it afterwards.
One of the most threatening kinds of keyless car theft is a type of'relay attack' where two criminals work together to steal a car from your home. One of them is close to the car being targeted with a wireless transmitter that picks up the signal from the owner's original digital key fob and sends it on to a second box that is positioned next to, or held in, the target vehicle. This effectively fools the car into 'thinking' that the owner has clicked the lock button and unlocked the door. The other thief drives away in the car.
While some experts recommend installing expensive after-market security systems to stop this kind of crime they aren't always effective and can be easily defeated by criminals equipped with the right tools and knowledge. A better strategy is to invest in security measures that will make the job of stealing your vehicle more difficult for thieves, such as a steering wheel lock which makes it extremely hard to get away.
You can also install motion detection lights around your home and garage which will be lit up to keep thieves away, and CCTV cameras, which will aid in recording footage of criminals performing the act. Parking your car in a spot that is well-lit and easily visible can be an easy but effective method of deterring thieves. This will deter thieves, who are likely to be opportunists rather than targeted thieves, from attempting to steal your car.
In addition to these security measures, consider installing an entry system that utilizes unique security codes that can only be accessed by the owner of the car. This feature is only available on certain models that are newer and requires a professional installation. However, it could be well worth the cost since it makes your vehicle less appealing to thieves.
Prevention
As the rate of car thefts that are keyless increases increasing, it is essential for car owners to employ effective preventative strategies. This could include storing smart keys in a Faraday pouch or box when not in use. These items are equipped with a metal liner that blocks radio signals, thereby stopping thieves from intercepting and copying them. Additionally, installing a lock for the steering wheel or an immobilizer could be an effective deterrent, as well as physically stopping the steering wheel from turning or the engine from starting should a criminal succeed in gaining access to the keyless entry system.
Another option is to park the car in a secured area away from windows and doors. This could confuse thieves and make it more difficult for them to identify who is the owner of the vehicle. Etching the VIN onto windows and headlights can also be a deterrent since it makes it difficult to copy stolen vehicles.
Dealerships can prevent keyless car thefts by implementing strict security measures. In addition to perimeter fencing and a separate car storage area, dealerships should train their employees on the importance of vigilance as well as adopting the best methods for key inventory and handling vehicles. Additionally, dealerships should regularly check their inventory to spot any discrepancies.
In some cases, thieves may attempt to circumvent security features built into the car through an electronic device that plugs into the vehicle's computer. These devices are usually plugged into the diagnostic port, which is typically located in the front footwell of many cars. The thieves could program a blank remote to start the car without the owner's permission.
Fortunately, there are some ways you can take to reduce the chance here of becoming a victim of car key theft. You can deter criminals from gaining access to your car's computer with an antenna that is shielded take out or cover any electronics inside the vehicle, and keep keys in a Faraday box or pouch. You could also install a GPS tracker or immobilizer to increase the chance of locating your vehicle if it is stolen, and help law enforcement catch the culprits. Contact an auto electrical specialist to determine which preventative measures be most beneficial for you and your car.