The best car theft protection – what does it mean today? This is a frequent question among automotive enthusiasts around the world. However, it is not about comfort, it is an ultimate necessity for those who are seeking safety in the era of uncertainty. Let’s face the fact that considering the security of our automobile has a very simple reason. You invest a lot of energy and effort to protect your property, hence you insure yourself against financial loss. Why is this problem so severe nowadays? The point is that thieves are learning more sophisticated ways to break into your car, which has an electronic lock system. Surely, they can not hot-wire an ignition as before but modern technologies allow them to gain control over your automobile effortlessly, even without touching the key.
So, let’s take a closer look at the challenges the owners of keyless cars face and see what is the best of the best theft deterrent for cars. Let’s start!
The vulnerability of keyless cars Best car theft protection
The weakness of keyless automobiles is related to their locking system. How does this technology work? It is based on a short-range radio transmitter located in a keyless remote, it sends the encrypted signal to the receiver in the car. It is possible to lock and unlock the automobile without even touching the remote. So, this wireless communication is key for malicious purposes by crooks.
Criminals use pairs of devices for theft. They amplify the signal and transmit it to another device that is near the automobile. As a result, a vehicle mistakenly thinks that the fob is nearby. This theft is known as a relay attack. What makes this process easier for thieves? – Not keeping your key properly. For example, if your key is near the front door or windows, it is easier to capture the signal from it. If the automobile has keyless ignition, there is a high chance it is driven away in 2 minutes. In the worst case, you lose valuables that you keep in it. Surely, you do not want any of them to happen to you.
The above-mentioned is not only a theory, the automotive crime rate and various testing showed that relay devices are widely available at a reasonable price in online stores. The worst thing is that there are free video tutorials that explain how to use them and manufacturers and promoters avoid responsibility and claim that they do not support and recommend unethical usage of this product.
So, as it seems, what you can do for your peace of mind is invest in anti-theft tools. To put it simply, find the best way to protect your car from theft.
Top 10 Best car theft protection
The following tools are the most popular means for defending your property from wrongdoers. All of them have different mechanisms from each other, some are more visible, and some are less. The point is that sometimes it’s better to use several tools together for an effective result. Let’s take a closer look one by one and discover the superb one that can exceed your expectations in terms of quality of performance.
10. DIY aluminum foil
If you are searching for a family-friendly solution to protecting your key fob, it is one of the options you can choose. Experts report that material can block signals somehow but not completely. The material lacks density which means it is not as reliable as you may hope.
9. kill switch
It is a mechanism that disables a device or program. It is a simple form of switch that can be connected to one of the automotive parts such as a fuel pump, ignition, battery, etc. So, it kills the power in this particular part, hence deactivating it and the crook does not start your automobile.
8. Steering wheel lock
It is a physical barrier for criminals who would like to snatch your automobile. Is it the best car theft protection gadget? We do not say it straight out. It is made of metal and plastic that stretches across the steering wheel to prevent it from being used by wrongdoers. The bad news is that it is not always foolproof and a skilful thief can “defeat” it.
7. Brake lock
It is another physical barrier for crooks. It is attached to your brake, which prevents them from using the brake and snatching your auto. The average price is $50.
So, if you are sure that a physical deterrent is what guarantees your safety, you can try it. But, remember there are more advanced options at your service.
6. Tire lock
If you are going to park your automobile for a long time, it makes sense to use it. Consider having enough space to keep it in your trunk. Bear in mind that it is not worth it to use it every time you stop, it will be tiring. In any other case, it helps you to prevent carjacking.
5. Audible alarm
If you are searching for ways to discourage thieves from attacking your automobile, an alarm is there to vibrate loudly, when they touch it. In most cases, thieves are more likely to leave your automobile when they know that it grabs someone’s attention. How to make sure that the wrongdoer will know it? You can post stickers advertising the alarm brand.
4. Remote lock
Remote locks are famous as one of the best theft deterrents for cars. Most of them allow owners to connect them to their smartphones and gain control of their automobiles. So, you can control whether you lock it or not.
As manufacturers claim it is highly secure, but do not forget that cyber-attacks are a very common thing nowadays and mobile apps are not an exception.
3. GPS tracking
GPS tracker will allow you to know the whereabouts of your automobile at any moment. You will get message alerts whenever it is in motion. Some advanced trackers allow you to immobilize your auto when someone tries to snatch it. consider that you need to buy not only a tracker but also need to pay monthly fees.
2. key fob pouch/key fob case
When it comes to protecting the keyless autos from criminals, storing your fob well plays a decisive role. The main purpose of placing them into those wallets is to block the signal in order to avoid keyless theft. As you know, a relay attack is based on capturing and relaying signals in a way that the automobile is fooled to think that the fob is nearby. All of that is done with the help of signal amplifiers.
The point is to be careful with that wallet, and consider reviews when you choose a desirable brand. As experts suggest, always test them before you trust them, because you never know in advance how reliable they can be.
1. Best car theft protection – A Secure FOB
When you search for the best way to protect your car from theft, the best option is available for you to offer multiple benefits. It is a user-friendly chip that is installed in your key fob effortlessly, it covers the battery from both sides and with the help of a motion sensor, it deactivates the battery after 3 minutes of being motionless. What makes it special?
The chip is an advanced and innovative option and it is superior to its alternative in terms of reliability and flawless performance. It is tested and compatible with most models. If you purchase it, you can forget safety issues, and also you can enjoy the extended life of batteries.
Choose insurer smartly
You need to be careful when you pick up an insurer for your automobile. There are multiple companies that offer you various discounts when you have installed protectors. Keep in mind that you need the best car theft protection not only to stay away from criminals but also for saving money.
Another thing you should know is that you will need their support after you discover that your auto is stolen. To get proper support from the insurance company you need to call the police and start the investigation. You should be focused on telling as many details as possible. Unfortunately, keyless theft is difficult to investigate because there is no need for a violent break-in in the automobile. So, you may find yourself in an inconvenient situation, the insurer can think that you are committing fraud.
Stolen vehicles rating
One more indicator that anyone needs the best theft deterrent for cars is the statistics of stolen models. According to the NICB ratings the ten most stolen models in the USA in 2019 were:
- 2006 Ford Pickup (Full Size)
- 2000 Honda Civic
- 2004 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
- 1997 Honda Accord
- 2007 Toyota Camry
- 2015 Nissan Altima
- 2018 Toyota Corolla
- 2001 Dodge Pickup (Full Size)
- 2018 GMC Pickup (Full Size)
- 2001 Honda CR-V
Takeaway
So, you know what dangers you may face and how serious measures you should take to improve the quality of defense as long as it is possible. You can look through the list of tools one more time and choose the one that is approved worldwide among the automotive enthusiast. You may not need reminding that it is hard to find the best way to protect your car from theft, especially if it has keyless technology. The point is it is in front of your nose, just grab it!