Page 16 - Silver Lakes February Issue 2023

SECURITY
SECURITY

KEYLESS CAR THEFT model vehicles to lock when the person is
a certain distance away. This signal is then
transmitted to a relay transmitter, which
is then used to open the car. The key fob
How to stop keyless car thieves in their tracks.
has to be inside the vehicle before it will
start – but that’s no hindrance to criminals
because the transmitter is small enough to
be taken with the one who enters the car,
and all he has to do is press the keyless start
button and drive away.

ARE THERE OTHER RISKS?
Criminals don’t only go for vehicles in public
parking areas. They have been known to
walk around a house searching for the signal
that’s constantly transmitted by the key fob.
If the key fob is hanging on a hook or in a
handbag close to a window, the signal can
easily be picked up. The next morning, the
vehicle owner goes outside to find the car
is missing.

CAN THIS CRIMINAL ACT BE
PREVENTED?
There are a number of ways to prevent this
type of hacking. Possibly the best way is to
buy a Faraday pouch that you put your key
fob into when you carry it around or store it
while you’re not using it. The Faraday pouch
has a shield that blocks electromagnetic
fields, and this would prevent criminals
from accessing the fob’s signal.

A little less convenient but equally effective
is to use a steering wheel lock or gear
stick lock. Or you can install an additional
immobiliser.
hen ‘tap and go’ credit cards open invitation for criminals to refine their
first came out, some consumers craft and find ways to steal these vehicles Alternatively, consider deactivating the
Wwere sceptical because they that are kitted out with all the latest keyless function on a permanent basis.
felt these cards were more of a security software and technology. And, alas, they
risk. Then the pandemic came along and have achieved just that in a relatively short How about installing a tracker system in
suddenly, just about everyone was resorting space of time. your car? It may not prevent the car from
to using the ‘tap and go’ option. being stolen, but it can certainly help with
HOW DO THEY DO IT? the recovery of the vehicle.
Touchless solutions have popped up The keyless access tactic usually involves
everywhere over the last couple of years two perpetrators, but if they first decide to A BIZARRE ALTERNATIVE
and car manufacturers have followed suit, follow a new car to the shops, there may be Apparently, some people have been known
offering vehicles with keyless functions more of them, and they’ll be in cellphone to store their key fob in their microwave –
that include touchless ignition as well as contact with one another. this practice is not recommended!
the touchless locking and unlocking of car
doors. Once the vehicle is parked, using a relay Faraday pouches are easy to buy online,
amplifier, the criminal positioned near the through Takealot.com or Amazon.com –
While the convenience of not having to vehicle captures the signal transmitted by and a host of other online stores. Give
scramble through a bag or check multiple the vehicle’s key fob, carried by the driver, yourself the gift of super-security by
pockets to locate one’s keys is an advantage, as he or she walks away from it – the ensuring that your car is safe and remains
particularly here in South Africa, it’s an manufacturers have programmed the new where you left it.

14 | INTRAMUROS FEBRUARY 2023