Most advice regarding automotive safety centers on alarm systems and locking devices, yet the truth is that in a vast number of cases, theft or burglary happens as a result of key-related issues. Namely, keys that you do not know about, proximity to the fob, or signals can be exploited. Luckily, all the most effective measures are simple and affordable.
In case the car you are driving is purchased, it is hard to establish the number of keys issued before you came across it. It may happen that your uncle got a spare key as a gift from the previous owner, or it may be found in your local mechanic's storeroom. So until you manage to eliminate this vulnerability, somebody out there may have access to your car.
The remedy is called rekeying. Your mechanic will simply reset the locks' combination thus rendering any previously made keys obsolete, whatever their current location. This is especially important for used cars due to the aforementioned risk factor.
Thief activity can arise out of carelessness on the part of the individual, and the act of leaving the fob in the car falls into this category. This applies to keeping the spare key within a particular magnetic holder attached to your vehicle as well. Thieves know where such things are kept, so do not give them the opportunity.
It is always a mistake to leave the running car unattended with the key still inside. Although it is really hot in Houston, this approach provides a simple temptation for an opportunist to steal something valuable inside your car.
As you know, modern cars use keys with built-in signals to communicate with the engine in order to unlock and start it. In certain cases, criminals are able to capture and relay these signals in such a way that a car will recognize a fake key and unlock the door for the intruder. Of course, the chances are relatively small, but there are several simple techniques to diminish the risk of such attacks. Namely, never keep your smart key close to the door and windows in the evening, because a relay attack is likely to be performed just in this particular area and concerning this kind of key.
There exist special signal-blocking pouches for smart key storing, often referred to as Faraday pouches. Using one of them will ensure that even in the case of attack your car's signal remains inaccessible to potential criminals.
Any issues with the locks or ignition mechanisms decrease your possibilities to lock the door and increase the probability of an attack. Try to repair any malfunctioning devices as soon as possible.
Your car is only vulnerable in places that are secluded enough to provide anonymity for a thief. In this sense, the best way to park a car is to choose a lit-up space. In your yard, garages are preferred over driveways, and driveways are preferable to parking spots on the street.
As a rule, key-based car theft is possible due to some specific vulnerabilities related to the key's storage or characteristics. To eliminate the possibility of attacks, it is enough to take care of the issue properly and in time – in this case you won't even need to invest too much.
Once you realize you cannot find the spare key, you should assume that it has been probably lost and decide what to do about it. First, try to establish the place where it disappeared. Does anybody have a possibility to match your car to the key in case it was left somewhere? In this case, you might want to rekey your car to protect yourself against any future threats, it will cost you some money, but the feeling of security is priceless.
As you already understand, there is no perfect defense against car theft; however, being one of the least attractive targets for a criminal is a good compromise.
Rekeying makes every old key useless, closing a security gap you can't see.
Read article →Cheap insurance against an expensive, stressful all-keys-lost situation.
Read article →Heat and humidity shorten fob battery life and contribute to lockouts.
Read article →