How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen

Modern vehicles that are keyless are the most popular target for thieves. The good news is that there are simple deterrents that can be used to aid.

One of the most recent strategies employed by hackers is called relay theft. Two thieves collaborate to gain access to the vehicle. They employ a device that can capture the signal from your key fob and then transmit that to the vehicle.

Keyless Car Theft

Owning a keyless car can feel like being in the future, but it could also make your vehicle an easy target for thieves. As with all new technologies, criminals quickly learn how to take advantage of their weaknesses. There are ways you can do to help keep your car from being taken away without requiring access.

In the past, thieves who wanted to steal a vehicle required keys stolen to it or wire it. Nowadays, they can employ sophisticated technology to hack cars that are not keyed and start them up. In fact 92% of the vehicles UK car security firm Tracker recovered in 2019 were stolen through this method.

Criminals are able to profit from this technology by utilizing electronic signal relay devices that steal the signal that is transmitted by the vehicle's keyfob. These devices can be bought on the internet for as little as PS80. They can then transmit the same signal to vehicles nearby and trick it into unlocking and starting up.

Once the car is started, the thief is able to drive away without leaving a trace. As a result, keyless car theft is on the rise. In the US, it accounts for up to 65% of all car thefts and could result in you paying a high insurance cost.

It's difficult to locate specific information on cars that don't have keys, but it's safest to assume that cars that have ignitions that can be pushed to start are more vulnerable to be insecure than cars that require an actual key to operate the ignition. Other factors could affect the vulnerability of a car, including its popularity among thieves as well as its model and brand, and security protocols.

Although manufacturers have taken steps to plug these holes but there are still keyless models that are more prone to attack than others. A study conducted by Thatcham Research in 2020 assessed the resilience of a selection of models were to theft via keyless and gave them Poor, Basic and Superior scores based on their ability to resist the attack. It is crucial to take extra care when your car has keyless start or entry features.

How It Happens

The technology used in cars has advanced and thieves have devised new methods to gain access. The technology used to steal keysless cars intercepts signals and "hacks" the fob to unlock the car. Risks are higher for luxury vehicles that are more recent. According to the most recent figures from the English Home Office, keyless entry is the main reason for around half of the vehicle thefts. It's interesting to see that older models that had proximity keys, but no button to start the vehicle have also been targeted by thieves.

There was a time when crooks needed to break into your car through a window or door handle, but the introduction of remote locking and keyless ignition systems made it possible to do so from the distance. The thieves have devised devices which can pick up the signal from your key fob and amplify it before sending it to a emulator -which is basically a fake key. This device then emulates the signal from your car key which allows it to unlock and start your vehicle.

This kind of hacking, according to the CBC is increasing. Thieves can gain entry to cars within less than 20 seconds and then steal them. This is because keyless system don't require the driver to have their fob in their hand or in their pocket.

Two years ago, in Toronto, a man was shocked to find his Toyota RAV4 ripped apart and its headlights removed not just twice, but just once within three months. He realized that this wasn't just vandalism, but a part of a sophisticated technique for stealing keyless vehicles.

The thieves are known as "relay attackers," and they work in groups. One person is equipped with an amplifier for relays, and the other holds a device that picks up your car's remote control signal, and send it back to the amplified device. This could trick your car into believing your key fob is nearby which allows it to open the doors and begin taking off.

Certain drivers install security systems that are made available by the market to stop this. However the best way to protect yourself is to keep your key fob in a metal container, or signal-blocking pouch like a faraday box. They are available online for a reasonable price.

Deterrents

Modern thieves employ sophisticated devices to intercept signals transmitted by key fobs. If they have this, they can duplicate it to unlock the car and then start the engine. The best deterrent is to make sure that the key fob isn't placed in the range of the car when it is in a garage, preferably in a garage. You can also put the key in a metal container or Faraday pouch to stop its signal. You can also buy an electronic device to track your car. It won't stop the car from being stolen car keys, but it can aid in finding it later.

One of the most worrying kinds of keyless car theft is the so-called relay attack, in which two criminals collaborate to steal a vehicle from your home. One of the thieves stands near the car key stolen but not car they want to steal with wireless transmitters that pick up the signal from the owner's original digital key fob, and then sends it on to a second device that is positioned next to, or held in, the vehicle that is targeted. This tricked the car into 'thinking' that the owner has pressed the lock button and then unlocked the door. The other thief then takes off in the car.

Although some experts suggest installing expensive security systems to stop this kind of crime, they aren't always efficient and can be easily defeated by criminals equipped with the right equipment and know-how. It is more beneficial to invest in security measures that make it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle, for example the steering lock which makes it hard for thieves to drive away.

Install motion-detection lights around your home and garage to deter thieves. You can also install CCTV cameras that capture criminals in action. Parking your vehicle in an area that is well-lit and easily visible is a simple but effective method of deterring thieves. This will deter thieves, who are likely to be opportunists, not targeted thieves, from attempting to steal your car.

In addition to these deterrents, consider purchasing a Keyless Car Stolen (G2864762.Wikievia.Com) entry system that uses unique security codes that can only be accessed by the owner of the vehicle. This system is only on a few newer models and requires professional installation. However, it could be well worth the cost since it makes your vehicle less attractive to thieves.

Prevention

As the number of thefts involving keys in cars increases and increases, it is 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 lined with steel to stop radio signals from reaching them and to prevent thieves from copying or intercepting the signals. Furthermore, installing a lock for the steering wheel or an immobilizer could be an effective deterrent, and also physically stop the steering wheel from turning, or the engine from running, in the event that a criminal succeeds in bypassing the keyless entry system.

Another option is to park the car in a more secure area in a safe distance from doors and windows. This could confuse thieves, making it difficult for them to identify the car's owner. The inscription of the VIN on the headlights and windows can also be a deterrent because it makes it difficult to copy stolen vehicles.

Dealerships can help to prevent theft of keys from cars by implementing stringent security measures. Dealerships should educate their employees on the importance and best practices for key inventory and vehicle handling. They can accomplish this by installing fencing around the perimeter and creating a designated car storage area. Dealerships should also conduct regular audits of their inventory in order to identify any discrepancies.

In certain instances, thieves will try to bypass security measures built into the vehicle by using an electronic device that plugs into the vehicle's computer. These devices are typically plugged into the diagnostic port, which is typically located in the front footwell of many cars. The thieves can program an unprogrammed remote to start the vehicle without owner's consent.

There are a few actions you can take to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of keyless car theft. You can deter criminals from hacking into your car's computer by using a shielded radio antenna and remove or hide any electronic components inside the vehicle, and store the key fob in the Faraday pouch or box. You could also install an GPS tracker or immobilizer to increase the chance of locating your vehicle if it is stolen, and help police catch the culprits. Contact an auto electrical specialist to determine which preventative measures be the most effective for you and your vehicle.