Automobile thieves are increasingly using technology that was once marketed as a convenience for drivers. Nowadays, since it's silent and quick, relay theft is the method of choice for auto theft. Theftsters now use a technique called "bounce and roll" to steal goods instead of "smash and grab," signaling from the house keys to the car and driving off.
Since the Range Rover achieved the dubious title of being the most stolen car in Britain, keyless car crime has been making headlines once more. In response, JLR has declared plans to invest £10 million in enhancing security and providing owners of both new and used Range Rovers with a special auto insurance program.
However, keyless car crime does not only affect luxury SUVs. After years of declining car thefts, the so-called "relay attack" has emerged as the most popular method of car theft.
What is keyless car theft, and how can you protect yourself from this advanced, 21st-century crime
What does "keyless car theft" mean?
- Because a relay attack is so easy to execute, owners of cars equipped with keyless entry should be especially concerned. Once an automobile has been identified as a target, two thieves collaborate to steal it, frequently from outside the owner's house, using electronic signal relay devices.
- While the other person stays close enough to the house for a device to detect a signal from the key fob, one person remains by the targeted car.
- By transferring this signal to a second box and placing it next to the car or in the other person's hands, it is possible to trick the car into believing that the key is inside.
- The thieves can simply press a button to start the car once the doors are unlocked, allowing them to take off. For less than £100, you can purchase the electronic hardware needed to steal an automobile online, which is a highly enticing offer for would-be burglars.
How to stop automobile theft involving keyless entry
- Drivers are advised to exercise caution when at home because keyless car theft incidents usually happen in residential areas, particularly at night. Even though auto theft is increasing, there are precautions you can take to keep your car safe.
- Relay device Signals can travel through walls, doors, and windows, but they cannot pass through metal. To protect your car from an attack, keep your keys in a metal container, a wallet that blocks signals, or even a microwave.
- A Faraday bag, also called a signal blocker pouch, can be bought online for about £10. But do give it a try to make sure the signal is truly blocked. Although keeping your keys out of reach of the front door or window is a good idea, you should give it some thought before carrying the keys upstairs or concealing them in a bedroom. Allowing a thief to take the car is preferable to risking your safety or the safety of your family if they are determined to break into the house in order to obtain the keys.
There are additional precautions you can take to prevent being a victim of keyless car theft:
- Find out if the key fob on your car can be turned off or if it deactivates on its own after a brief period of time when not in use.
- Once you park the car, make sure it is locked. An opportunistic thief could use a "jammer" to intercept the signal between the key fob and the car, leaving it vulnerable to attack. Keep an eye out.
- Purchase a lock for the steering wheel. In addition to offering a visible layer of defense, these can prolong the time it takes to steal a car through a relay attack by several minutes. Locks start at about £20.
- Include a tracking device. It won't stop cars from being stolen, but it will make it more likely that the police will find the vehicle and give it back to its rightful owner.
- Find out from your car dealer whether any software updates have been made to help prevent keyless vehicle theft.
- "Always make sure the car is locked."
Although the experience of driving has significantly improved due to the rapid development of technology, it has also made it possible for criminals to take advantage of weaknesses in electronic security.
I would advise drivers to take basic precautions to keep their cars safe, such as keeping their keys in metal cans or safety pouches that obstruct the devices that thieves use. It's also beneficial to go back to the fundamentals, like making sure your car is locked. Research has shown that while some car owners believe their cars automatically lock, this is untrue. Don't forget to check again before leaving.
Image Depositphotos by VitalikRadko
