How to Prevent Your Keyless Car From Being Stolen

Modern vehicles that are keyless are a prime target for thieves. The good news is that there are some simple deterrents that can be used to assist.

One of the latest tactics employed by hackers is called relay theft. Two thieves collaborate to gain access to your vehicle. They use a device to take the signal from your key fob, then transmit it to the vehicle.

Keyless Car Theft

The convenience of a car with no keys is like entering the future, but it can also make your vehicle an easy target for thieves. Like all new technologies, criminals quickly learn how to exploit these. There are ways to stop your car from being stolen, without having to force access to your vehicle.

In the past, thieves that wanted to steal vehicles had to either get the vehicle's key or wire it. Nowadays, they can employ sophisticated technology to hack cars that are not keyed and start them up. 92% of the cars recovered by UK security firm Tracker Tracker in 2019 were stolen that way.

Criminals can profit from this technology by utilizing electronic signal relay devices that snoop on the signal sent by the vehicle's keyfob. They can be purchased on the internet for as low as PS80. They can then transmit the same signal to a nearby vehicle and fool it into unlocking and re-starting itself.

Once the car has been started the thief is able to get away easily and without leaving a trace leaving a trace. Keyless car theft has risen as a result. In the US the number of stolen cars is up to 65% of all car thefts, and could result in you paying a high insurance cost.

Although specific data on keyless car theft is difficult to find however, it is safe to say that cars with push-to-start ignition systems are more likely to be targeted than cars that require the use of a physical key to get into the ignition. Other factors could affect the vulnerability of a vehicle that could be a target, such as its popularity among thieves and its model and the brand, as well as its security protocols.

Despite the efforts of manufacturers to close these loopholes certain keyless vehicles are more vulnerable to attack than other. Thatcham Research 2020 conducted a study to determine the resistance of a range of models to keyless theft. They classified them as Poor, Basic or Superior based on how well they were able to resist this method. It's therefore important to always take additional security measures if your vehicle has Keyless Car stolen start or entry features.

How It Happens

As cars advanced, thieves have been developing ways to break into them. The technology used to steal keys from vehicles intercepts signals and "hacks" the fob to allow access to the car. Risks are higher for luxury vehicles that are more recent. The latest figures from the Home Office show that keyless entry accounts for roughly half of all vehicle thefts in England. It is interesting to note that older models that have a proximity key, but do not include a button to start the car are also frequently targeted by thieves.

The introduction of keyless ignitions and remote locking systems has made it possible for thieves to enter your car from an inaccessible distance. Thieves have created devices that pick up the signal from your car's key fob and amplify it before they transmit it to an emulator -- essentially fake car keys. This device then emulates the signal of your car key and allows it to unlock and even start your vehicle.

The CBC reports that this kind of hacking is growing, with thieves able to get into cars and take them away in under 20 seconds. This is because keyless system do not require the driver to have their fob in their hand or in their pocket.

A few years ago, an Toronto man was shocked to find his Toyota RAV4 torn up and its headlight dismantled not once, but twice in three months. He discovered that this wasn't just a case of stupid vandalism; it was part of a sophisticated scheme for stealing keyless vehicles.

They work in teams and are referred to as "relay attackers." The relay amplifier is controlled by one person, whereas the other person is holding a device which can pick up the remote control signal from your car and transmit it back to that amplified device. This can then make your car believe that your key fob is nearby, enabling it to open the doors and begin driving away.

Some drivers use security systems that are made available by the market to avoid this. However the best way to protect yourself is to keep your key fob inside an aluminum container, or signal-blocking pouch such as a faraday box. They are affordable and are available online.

Deterrents

Modern thieves use sophisticated devices to snoop on the signal relay that is sent out 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 ensure that the key fob is not kept in the vicinity of the vehicle when it is parked up or in a garage. You can also store the key in a container made of metal or Faraday pouch to stop its signal. You can also buy an electronic device to track your car. It does not stop the car from being stolen, but it can aid in finding it later.

Two criminals working together to steal your car from the outside is among the most alarming types 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 device that is positioned next to, or held in, the vehicle being targeted. This effectively fools the car into 'thinking' that the owner has hit the lock button, and has unlocked the door. The other thief then drives off in the vehicle.

While some experts recommend installing expensive security systems to stop this type of crime, these are not always effective and are easily defeated by criminals with the right tools and knowledge. It is best to invest in security measures that make it more difficult for thieves to steal your car, like the steering lock which makes it hard for thieves to escape.

You can also install motion detection lights around your home and garage, which will illuminate 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 vehicle in a well-lit and visible area. This will deter thieves, who are likely to be opportunists instead of targeted thieves, from attempting what to do if car keys are stolen take your vehicle.

In addition to these security measures, consider installing an entry system that utilizes unique security codes that are only recognized by the owner of the vehicle. This system is only on some newer models and requires a professional to install. However, it could be well worth the investment because it makes your car less appealing to thieves.

Prevention

It is becoming more important for vehicle owners as the rate of thefts involving my keys were stolen increases, to implement effective preventative measures. This could include storing smart keys in a Faraday pouch or box when not in use. These items are lined with metal to block radio signals and prevent thieves from copying or intercepting them. Additionally, installing a lock for the steering wheel or an immobilizer can serve as an deterrent as well as physically stopping the steering wheel from turning or the engine from starting, should a criminal succeed in bypassing 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 difficult for them to recognize the car's owner. Inscribing the VIN onto windows and headlights is a great deterrent because it makes it difficult to clone stolen vehicles.

Dealerships can assist in preventing keyless car theft by instituting stringent security measures. Along with perimeter fencing and a dedicated storage area for cars, dealers should offer employees training on the importance of vigilance and adopting the best methods for key inventory and vehicle handling. Additionally, dealerships must regularly review their inventory to spot any anomalies.

In some cases, crooks will try to bypass the security features built into the vehicle by using an electronic device to connect to the computer in the vehicle. These devices are typically connected into the diagnostic port, which is typically located in the front footwell of many cars. The thieves are then able to program the blank key fob to unlock the vehicle and then start it without the owner's permission.

Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to decrease the risk of being a victim of keyless car theft. Some of these include preventing criminals from tapping into your vehicle's computer by using an antenna shielded from interference and removing or hiding any electronic devices in the car, and then storing the key fob in the Faraday pouch or box. Installing a GPS tracker and immobilizer will improve your chances of locating your car when it is stolen, as well as helping law enforcement catch the criminals. Contact an auto electrician to determine which preventative measures will work best for you and your car stolen keys left in car.