If you are under the impression that your modern luxury cars are safe from theft thanks to their sophisticated security systems, know that you’re mistaken…
The days of hotwiring cars are long gone, and today, thieves use advanced technology for these purposes - moreover, the more expensive a car is, the more vulnerable it is when it comes to the possibility of theft. British police have issued a warning to all drivers about the keyless system and how easily they can be overcome.
The head of the Police Council of Great Britain stated that "organized gangs" use signal jamming devices, which are widely available, in order to steal cars. These devices basically transmit a "friendly" short-range radio signal emitted by key fobs and trick the keyless car system into falsely sensing the key in its immediate vicinity.
According to several reports, cars from brands such as Tesla, Lexus, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Jaguar and Land Rover are increasingly being targeted by thieves because of their unlocking systems. In the UK alone, this technology can be attributed to 50% of all car thefts. In an interview with the Daily Mail, LV managing director Heather Smith said: "Most car thefts take place near the owners' homes, but with a better understanding of technology and a few simple security measures, you can make your car less attractive to thieves."
The police department is working closely with car manufacturers and insurance companies to make keyless systems more secure by sharing information and equipment seized from thieves. Dodge recently introduced a dual-verification system for cars running keyless systems, which limits the engine to 675 rpm should you fail to input the right PIN into the infotainment system.
However, the British police also advised the owners to keep their keys in metal cans or protective bags that prevent the transmission of radio signals. On the networks, you can see an abundance of footage showing how thieves manage to break into and drive away in a stolen car in less than 20 seconds, which should definitely arouse caution in you.
