How to prevent keyless car theft
Tips on how to keep your vehicle safe and secure
Most modern-day vehicles no longer come with a car key as we know it, instead new technology allows the owner to unlock, start, stop, and lock the vehicle using a keyless fob – this has caused an increase in keyless car theft.
With vehicles that have keyless entry and start technology, you can then start the engine by the press of a button as long as the signal from the fob is detected within the vehicle. These systems work using short-range radio waves, with the key in your pocket or bag transmitting a signal that’s picked up by a receiver in your car.
This is when your car becomes vulnerable. A thief looking to steal a keyless entry vehicle won’t even have to break into your property to steal your keys.
Thieves will usually work in pairs, one thief will hold a wireless transmitter near the property to capture the signal from the genuine key in your home, which in turn will relay it to the car, tricking it into believing that the key is within range. The second thief will stand ready for the signal to be captured in order to gain access into the vehicle to start it.
Once the signal has been stored, the process can be repeated to programme a blank key fob, ready to start the engine to drive away.
How to prevent keyless car theft
Here’s a few tips to prevent keyless car thieves.
- Keep your car keys away from your car
The first step is to keep your keys as far away from your vehicle as possible, away from windows and doors of your house, making it harder for criminals to detect and amplify your key signal.
- Buy a Faraday pouch
A Faraday pouch or box uses a metallic lining to block radio waves from your keys so they can’t be amplified by the thieves. They’re readily available online, and fairly inexpensive
- Park in a safe location
If you have off road parking then utilize this whenever possible. If you do not have off-street parking, we would recommend parking your vehicle in a well-lit section of the road, which increases visibility and is a greater risk for criminals to be seen.
- Block your vehicle in or park in a garage
If you do own another vehicle, it may be worthwhile parking that vehicle behind your keyless entry vehicle, so that it is blocked in using another car, this would make it virtually impossible for the car to be stolen, alternatively if you have access to a garage attached or adjacent to your house ready to use, storing your vehicle in a locked garage out of sight is probably the more preferred option.
- Upgrade security on your vehicle
Despite the sophisticated factory-equipped anti-theft systems on modern vehicles, sadly they have not deterred all car thieves. Upgrading your security on your vehicle to a premium aftermarket alarm and immobilizer such as a Clifford alarm Thatcham quality assured, will instantly put your mind at rest. It uses precision engineering and leading technology to make sure you have control at all times, no matter where you are.
Due to the capability of this alarm, adds on are also available to you. These include a tracker with live tracking from a smart phone, auto watch ghost alarm, Blackjacks anti carjacking security, smart start and much more.
Get in touch and learn more
For more tips on how to stay safe and keep your car secure or assistance in choosing the right product for you, please get in touch with us and one of our friendly team members will be more than happy to run through any queries you may have.
