How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen

Modern vehicles that are keyless are a popular target for thieves. The good news is that there are some simple deterrents that will aid.

One of the newest strategies employed by hackers is called relay theft. It involves two thieves working together to get access to your my car key was stolen. They use an instrument that records the signal from your keyfob, and then transmits it to your vehicle.

Keyless Car Theft

Owning a keyless car can feel like stepping into the future, but it can also make your ride an easy to target for thieves. As with all new technologies, criminals quickly learn how to make use of these. There are ways to prevent your car keys stolen from unlocked house from being stolen, without having to force access to your vehicle.

In the past, thieves that wanted to steal a vehicle had to either obtain keys to it or wire it. They now have the ability to use sophisticated technology to hack keyless cars and start up. 92% of the vehicles found by UK security firm Tracker Tracker in 2019 were stolen keys in this manner.

To make the most of this technology, criminals make use of electronic signal relay devices to hijack the signal that is transmitted from the key fob in a vehicle's ignition. These devices can be bought on the internet for as low as PS80. They can then transmit the same signal to vehicles nearby and trick it into unlocking and starting up.

When the car is parked, the thief can get away easily and without leaving a trace left behind. Keyless car theft has increased due to. In the US the theft of cars that are keyless can account for up to 70% of all car thefts. This can result in an increased insurance premium.

Although specific information about keyless car theft is difficult to come by however, it is safe to say that vehicles with push-to start ignition systems are more likely to be targeted than those that require keys to be physically entered into the ignition. Other factors can impact the security of a vehicle that could be a target, such as its popularity among thieves and its model and the brand, and security protocol.

While manufacturers have made efforts to plug these holes however, there are some keyless cars stolen with keyless entry that are more vulnerable to attack than other. Thatcham Research 2020 conducted a study to evaluate the resistance of a variety of models to keyless theft. They classified them as Basic, Poor or Superior based on the degree to which they were able to resist this method. As such, it's important to take extra precautions if you own a car with keyless start or entry features.

How It Happens

As cars have evolved and sophisticated, thieves have been devising ways to break into them. The technology used to steal keyless cars intercepts signals, and "hacks" the fob to allow access to the car. The risk is particularly high for luxury vehicles that are newer. According to the latest figures from England's Home Office, keyless entry is the reason for about half of the vehicle thefts. It is interesting to note that older models that use proximity keys but don't have a button to begin the vehicle have also been frequently targeted by thieves.

The introduction of keyless ignitions and remote locking systems has allowed thieves to gain access to your vehicle from the distance. Thieves have invented devices that detect the signal from the key fob in your car, amplify it and then transmit it to an emulatorwhich is basically fake car keys. This device then replicates the signal of your car key, allowing it to unlock and even start your vehicle.

The CBC reports that this type of hacking is increasing and thieves are being able to gain entry into vehicles and take them away in under 20 seconds. This is due to the fact that keyless systems do not require the driver to have their fob in hand or in their pocket.

A few 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 part of a sophisticated technique for stealing keys from vehicles.

These thieves work in teams and are referred to as "relay attackers." The relay amplifier is controlled by one person, and another person holds the device that picks the remote control signal from your car and send it back to the amplified device. This could fool your car into thinking your key fob is in the vicinity which allows it to open the doors and begin taking off.

Some drivers install security systems that are made available by the market to prevent this. However the best defense is to keep your key fob in a metal container, or signal-blocking pouch like a faraday box. They are available online for affordable prices.

Deterrents

Modern thieves use sophisticated devices to intercept the signal sent by key fobs. If they have it, they are able to duplicate the code to unlock the vehicle and then begin the motor. The best way to deter thieves is to make sure that the key fob is not left in range of the car when it is in a garage, preferably in garages. You can also try storing the key in an e-bag or container to prevent its signal from being detected. You can also purchase an electronic device to track your car. It does not stop the car from being stolen, but will aid in finding it later.

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 vehicle from outside your house. One of the thieves stands near the car they want to steal with wireless transmitters that pick the signal from owner's original digital key fob, and then sends it to a second box which is positioned next to, or held in, the target vehicle. This tricked the car into thinking that the owner has hit the lock button and then unlocked the door. The other thief then drives off in the vehicle.

While some experts recommend installing expensive security systems to stop this kind of crime, they aren't always effective and can be easily defeated by criminals who have the right equipment and know-how. A better strategy is to invest in security measures that make the task of stealing your car more difficult for thieves, such as a steering wheel lock which makes it difficult for thieves to steal your car.

You can also install motion detection lights around your garage and home that will light up and scare thieves away, and CCTV cameras, which help to capture footage of criminals during the act. Another effective and simple deterrent is to park your car in a well-lit, visible area. This will discourage thieves, who are likely to be opportunists, not targeted thieves, from attempting to take your vehicle.

In addition to these security measures, consider investing in a keyless entry system that uses unique security codes that are only known by the owner of the vehicle. This is only available on some newer models and requires professional installation. However, it can be worth the cost because it makes your car less attractive to thieves.

Prevention

It is becoming more essential for owners of vehicles, as the incidence of theft through Keyless car Stolen keys rises, to implement effective preventative measures. When not in use smart keys can be stored in a Faraday pouch or box. These objects are lined with metal to stop radio signals from reaching them and to prevent thieves from stealing or intercepting the signals. Installing an immobilizer or steering lock is a different method of deterring thieves. It can also physically prevent the steering wheel from turning or the engine from being started in the event that they manage to get around the keyless entry system.

Another strategy involves parking the vehicle in a more secure location away from doors and windows. This can confuse thieves and make it difficult for them to recognize the owner of the vehicle. Inscribing the VIN on headlights and windows is also a good deterrent as it makes it difficult to clone stolen vehicles.

Dealerships can assist in preventing theft of keys from cars by implementing stringent security measures. In addition to fencing around the perimeter and a dedicated car storage area, dealerships should train their employees on the importance of vigilance and applying best practices for key inventory and handling vehicles. Dealerships should also regularly audit their inventory in order to spot any issues.

In certain instances, thieves attempt to evade security features built into the car through an electronic device that plugs into the computer in the vehicle. These devices are plugged into the diagnostic ports, which are usually found in the footwells of the majority of cars. The thieves can program the remote with blank code to start the vehicle without the owner's consent.

There are a few actions you can take to lessen the likelihood of becoming a victim of keyless car theft. You can prevent criminals from gaining access to your car's computer by using an antenna that is shielded, remove or conceal any electronic devices in the vehicle, and store the key fob inside a Faraday box or pouch. You can also install an GPS tracker or immobilizer to increase the chance of locating your car after it is stolen and helping police in catching the criminals responsible. Contact an auto electrical specialist to determine which preventative measures will work best for you and your vehicle.