Keyless Car Stolen: What's The Only Thing Nobody Is Talking About
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How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen
Modern vehicles that are keyless are a frequent target for thieves. The good news is that there are simple deterrents that can be used to help.
One of the most recent strategies employed by hackers is called relay theft. Two thieves work together to gain access to the vehicle. They make use of an instrument that records the signal from your keyfob, and then transmits it to your vehicle.
Keyless Car Theft
It's an amazing feeling to own a car with no keys however it can make your vehicle vulnerable to theft. As with all new technology, criminals quickly learn how to make use of them. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help keep your car from being stolen without forcing access.
In the past, thieves seeking to steal a vehicle would need to obtain a key or hotwire it. Nowadays, they can use advanced technology to hack keysless cars and start up. In fact, 92% of the vehicles UK security firm Tracker found in 2019 were stolen by this method.
To make the most of this technology, criminals make use of electronic signal relay devices to hijack the signal being transmitted from the key fob of a car's ignition. These devices can be purchased on the internet for as little as PS80. The devices will then transmit the same signal to vehicles nearby and trick them into unlocking and then turning off themselves.
When the car is parked the thief is able to take it off with ease and without leaving a trace leaving a trace. Keyless car theft has risen as a result. In the US Keyless car theft could be responsible for up to 70% of all car thefts. This can result in an increase in insurance premium.
While specific information on keyless car theft is difficult to come by however, it is safe to say that cars 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 could affect the vulnerability of a vehicle include its popularity among thieves as well as its model and brand, and its security protocols.
Despite the efforts of car manufacturers to close these loopholes, certain keyless cars are more vulnerable to attack than others. A study conducted by Thatcham Research in 2020 assessed the degree of resistance a variety of models were to theft through keyless entry and gave them Basic, Poor and Superior ratings based on their ability to resist the technique. It is crucial to take extra care when your car is equipped with keyless start or entry features.
What happens?
As cars have become more advanced and sophisticated, thieves have been devising methods to break into them. The technology used to steal keysless vehicles intercepts signals and "hacks" the fob in order to open the car. The risk is higher for high-end cars that are recently manufactured. According to the latest figures from the English Home Office, keyless entry is the main reason for around half of the vehicle thefts. It's interesting to note that older luxury models that had proximity keys but no button to start the vehicle are also targeted by thieves.
There was a time when criminals had to break into your car through the door or window however, the advent of remote locking and keyless ignition systems made it possible to do so from the distance. Thieves have created devices that pick up signals from the car's key fob and amplify it, then transmit it to an emulator -in essence, an imitation car key. The device then mimics the signal from your car key which allows it to unlock and start your vehicle.
The CBC says that this type of hacking is on the rise and thieves are being able to gain entry into vehicles and take them away in less than 20 seconds. This is because keyless systems don't require that the driver have their fob in their hand or in their pocket.
A couple of years ago some time ago, an Toronto man was shocked to find his Toyota RAV4 torn up and its headlight smashed not just at all, but twice within three months. He realized that this was not just vandalism, but a part of a sophisticated technique to steal keyless vehicles.
These thieves are called "relay attackers," and they work in groups. One person has a relay amplifier, while the other holds a device that picks up your car's remote control signal and then send it back to the amplified device. This can trick your car to believe that your key fob was nearby, allowing it to open doors and drive away.
Some drivers are installing aftermarket security systems to stop this from happening, but the best defense is to keep your key fob in a tin container or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday box. They are available online for affordable prices.
Deterrents
Modern thieves use sophisticated devices to intercept the signal relays sent out by key fobs. If they have this they can copy it to unlock the car and then start the engine. The best deterrent is to ensure that the key fob isn't kept in the vicinity of the car when it is parked or in a garage. You can also place the key in a container made of metal or Faraday pouch to block its signal. You could also consider investing in an alarm system that although it can't stop the car from being stolen, can help in locating it afterwards.
One of the most worrying kinds of car theft that is keyless is the so-called relay attack, in which two criminals collaborate to steal a car from your home. One of them is near the car they want to steal with wireless transmitters that pick up the signal from the owner's authentic digital key fob and transmits it to a second box which is placed near, or held in, the vehicle being targeted. This effectively fools the car into thinking that the owner has pressed the lock button and unlocked the door. The other thief then drives off in the car.
While some experts recommend installing expensive after-market security systems to prevent this kind of crime these are not always effective and are easily defeated by criminals equipped with the right equipment and know-how. The best option is to invest in deterrents that will make the job of stealing your car more difficult for thieves, such as a steering wheel lock which makes it very difficult to get away.
You can also install motion detection lights around your home and garage that will light up and keep thieves away, and CCTV cameras, which will assist in capturing footage of criminals during the act. Another effective, yet simple, deterrent is to park your car in a well-lit and visible area. This will deter thieves who are more likely to be opportunists rather than targeted thieves from attempting to take your vehicle.
You should consider investing in a keyless system that only the owner of the vehicle knows the security code. This feature is only available on certain models that are newer and requires a professional installation. However, it can be well worth the investment as it makes your car less appealing to thieves.
The following is a list of preventatives.
It is becoming increasingly essential for owners of vehicles as the risk of theft through keyless keys rises to take effective preventative measures. When not in use smart keys can be kept in the Faraday box or pouch. These items are equipped with a metal lining that blocks read more radio signals, thereby preventing thieves from intercepting and copying the signals. In addition, a steering wheel lock or immobilizer can serve as a deterrent, as well as physically preventing the steering wheel from turning, or the engine from running, should a criminal succeed in evading the keyless entry system.
Another strategy involves parking the car in a secure location in a safe distance from windows and doors. This can make thieves think twice and make it difficult for them to identify the car's owner. The inscription of the VIN on the headlights and windows is a great deterrent as it makes it difficult to copy stolen vehicles.
Dealerships can prevent keyless car thefts by implementing stringent 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 practices for key inventory and handling vehicles. Dealerships should also regularly audit their inventory to find any irregularities.
In some instances, criminals may attempt to circumvent security features built into the car through an electronic device that connects into the computer in the vehicle. These devices are usually plugged into the diagnostic port, which is usually located in the front footwell of all cars. The thieves can program a blank remote to start the car without the owner's permission.
There are a few steps you can take to lower the risk of becoming a victim of unauthorized car theft. You can deter criminals from hacking into your car's computer using an antenna that is shielded take out or cover any electronic devices inside the vehicle, and then store keys in a Faraday box or pouch. Installing a GPS tracker and an immobilizer will improve your chances of locating your car when it is stolen, while also helping law enforcement catch the criminals. Contact an expert in auto electrics to determine what preventative measures are most suitable for you and your car.