Page 15 - Kyalami Issue 2_2023

Kyalami Estates Corporate Brand Bible Design 26
3.0 Folder (Inner)
SECURITY

KEYLESS

CAR THEFT

How to stop keyless

car thieves in their
tracks.

hen ‘tap and go’ credit transmitted by the vehicle’s key fob,
cards first came out, some carried by the driver, as he or she walks
consumers were sceptical away from it – the manufacturers have
Wbecause they felt these programmed the new model vehicles
cards were more of a security risk. Then to lock when the person is a certain
the pandemic came along and suddenly, distance away. This signal is then
just about everyone was resorting to transmitted to a relay transmitter, which
using the ‘tap and go’ option. is then used to open the car. The key would prevent criminals from accessing
fob has to be inside the vehicle before the fob’s signal.
Touchless solutions have popped up it will start – but that’s no hindrance
everywhere over the last couple of years to criminals because the transmitter is
and car manufacturers have followed small enough to be taken with the one A little less convenient but equally
suit, offering vehicles with keyless who enters the car, and all he has to effective is to use a steering wheel lock
functions that include touchless ignition do is press the keyless start button and or gear stick lock. Or you can install an
as well as the touchless locking and drive away. additional immobiliser.
unlocking of car doors. And, if you’re at a party with friends,
While the convenience of not having ARE THERE OTHER RISKS? you could ask someone with a car that
to scramble through a bag or check Criminals don’t only go for vehicles is started with a key to park behind you.
multiple pockets to locate one’s keys in public parking areas. They have Or, you could consider deactivating the
is an advantage, particularly here in been known to walk around a house keyless function entirely.
South Africa, it’s an open invitation for searching for the signal that’s constantly How about installing a tracker system
criminals to refine their craft and find transmitted by the key fob. If the key in your car? It may not prevent the car
ways to steal these vehicles that are fob is hanging on a hook or in a handbag from being stolen, but it can certainly
kitted out with all the latest software close to a window, the signal can easily help with the recovery of the vehicle.
and technology. And, alas, they have be picked up. The next morning, the
achieved just that in a relatively short vehicle owner goes outside to find the A BIZARRE ALTERNATIVE
space of time. car is missing. Apparently, some people have been
known to store their key fob in their
HOW DO THEY DO IT? CAN THIS METHOD CRIMINAL microwave – this practice is not
The keyless access tactic usually involves ACT BEPREVENTED? recommended!
two perpetrators, but if they first decide There are a number of ways to prevent
to follow a new car to the shops, there this type of hacking. Possibly the best Faraday pouches are easy to buy online,
may be more of them, and they’ll be in way is to buy a Faraday pouch that you through Takealot.com or amazon.com
cellphone contact with one another. put your key fob into when you carry it – and a host of other online stores.
Once the vehicle is parked, using a around or store it while you’re not using Give yourself the gift of super-security
relay amplifier, the criminal positioned it. The Faraday pouch has a shield that by ensuring that your car is safe and
near the vehicle captures the signal blocks electromagnetic fields, and this remains where you left it.

Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 2 • 2023 13