How to avoid theft of a keyless car

Criminals are finding new ways to bypass the standard car security system. Here are five ways to protect your car from theft.

Keyless entry and door unlocking systems are the thing that unites modern cars. Thanks to the automatic contactless door opening functions, the driver no longer has to rummage in his pockets for keys, especially if his hands are busy at this time.

But this feature is convenient not only for drivers – savvy criminals have realized that it is easy to steal such cars if you know the principles of the system.

Spike in car thefts

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), more than 89,000 cars were stolen in England and Wales in 2017, a 56% increase on 2016.

In addition, in 2017, it was discovered that 80% of all cars stolen and subsequently detected using a GPS tracker were jacked without using the owner’s key. For comparison, in 2016, this figure was 66%.

Despite such alarming figures, according to police data, the rate of car thefts is still lower than in the early 90s. This is due to the improvement of security systems, but the downward trend began to change dramatically in 2016.

Relay attacks

Keyless entry and start systems work by transmitting a signal from the ignition key to the car, which means that the car can be opened or started at the touch of a button. But modern car thieves have taken advantage of this feature with “relay attacks”.

Using this tactic, criminals jack cars in less than a minute by intercepting the exchange of authentication data between the smart key and the car, making the car think that the wireless key is nearby.

How to prevent keyless car theft

Good insurance will protect the car in the event of theft or jacking, but, as they say, prevention is better than cure. We offer five ways to reduce the risk of your car’s theft.

1. Keep your keys away from the front door and windows

2. Keep your keys in a metal container, a signal blocking case, or even in a microwave oven (the signal can’t get through metal)

3. Install a lock on the steering wheel

4. Install a tracker and apply the appropriate sticker on the windshield

5. Install a motion sensor or a CCTV system (an attacker must come very close to your house to perform a relay attack. This measure may be enough to scare him away).