High-Tech Car Hacks on the Rise
Photo: PoliceCenter
As technology advances, car thieves are getting sneakier. According to Fox 32 Chicago News, “relay attacks” are on the rise. Instead of a thief smashing a window or picking a lock to break into your vehicle, they can use a gadget called a relay device to swipe the key fob signal from your key fob. This technology enables a criminal to access your vehicle and drive off with it in a matter of seconds.
Roger Morris, chief communications officer with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, testified to the upsurge in car thefts, a statistic that has been increasing every year since 2014. “We work with law enforcement very closely, and they think a lot of these are out there. I get calls virtually every day about this device.”
While these hacks are quite common, Morris articulated that it’s challenging to track down the thieves behind the crime because the technology doesn’t leave any distinct traces. “Unfortunately it’s very difficult to prove that your car was taken by one of these things. Unless you’ve got a security camera pointed in your driveway.”
Silent Pocket Key Fob Guard, one of the many Faraday sleeve type cases you can purchase to protect your key fob from relay devices.
Photo: sherman614
What are the best ways to avoid high-tech car hackers from escaping with your vehicle? First off, park your car in a closed garage instead of on the street. If you’re parking in a public place, park in a well-lit area and be extra vigilant about your surroundings. Secondly, get yourself a Faraday sleeve, also known as a “key fob guard.” This item is simply a pouch for your key fob that blocks the signal so thieves’ relay devices can’t detect (and then steal) your key fob’s signal.
If all else fails, maybe we should bring Trunk Monkeys back. Each one undergoes rigorous training in vehicle break-in security, so you know that your car is safe against any attack, whether the criminal uses an old-fashioned lock-pick or a high-tech relay device to access your car.
News Source: Fox 32 Chicago
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