Page 27 - Waterfall City Issue 2 February 2023

KEYLESS CAR THEFT

How to stop keyless car thieves in their tracks

W hen ‘tap and go’ credit pouch that you put your key fob

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

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