Popular ways to steal a car
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Popular ways to steal a car

Car theft is a favorite vehicle for thieves to make a quick profit, especially if they already have a specific order for a specific model. Since the stolen car will be on the wanted list, it is mainly cars that are stolen for sale in parts. So it is impossible to track where the transport went, and no policeman can find the robber.

There are individual craftsmen for whom the opportunity to hack a modern car is not a way to make money, but a sporting interest. So they increase the level of their "skill", and the owner of the vehicle after breaking in racks his brains how to protect his iron horse from subsequent attempts to steal.

Unfortunately, no modern system is capable of stopping or at least slowing down the stealing of cars. As statistics show, in the first three months of last year (2019), 766 cars were stolen in Ukraine. Kiev was the leader in this anti-rating. In the capital, hijackers stole 171 vehicles. This list includes not only elite models, but also some representatives of the domestic auto industry.

Do not think that a new alarm or immobilizer will stop a professional. Law enforcement officials recommend the use of several anti-theft devices. Dedicated to them A separate article our blog. For now, let's focus on the most popular and "non-standard" methods that a hijacker can use.

Popular ways to steal a car

Our goal is not to provide guidelines for making DIY gadgets, but to keep our readers safe. Sometimes they go to such tricks, because of which the car owners do not even suspect that their car is at gunpoint. Having this information will help you recognize that a fraudulent scheme is at work. We will also see how to protect yourself in some situations.

1. Hijacking with a code grabber

One of the most popular ways to open anti-rating is code grabber. It is a tool that a hijacker uses to get hold of the digital signal from an alarm key fob. The scheme works according to the following principle. The hijacker chooses a "victim" and waits for the driver to lock the car using the alarm panel.

Since the signal travels in different directions, it is easy for an attacker to intercept it using a grabber. The device duplicates the digital signature and reproduces it. While the car owner is going about his business, thinking that his transport is safe, the hijacker can open the salon and take possession of someone else's car.

Popular ways to steal a car

Externally, the grabbers look like ordinary key fobs from the alarm system, so outsiders may not even suspect that the car is being stolen. The modern market is filled with illegal devices in which a crack is stitched to steal someone else's vehicles. Among such modifications, one can find both primitive devices for the cheapest signaling (it is often installed by owners of cheap cars, for example, the LADA or Daewoo families), and more advanced options for complex systems.

In some cases, the equipment is not only able to copy the signal, but also "read" the vehicle's on-board system to find out if additional devices are installed in it that can prevent theft. It will not be difficult for a hijacker to buy a code graber, especially if he already has his own "client base" through which he can quickly sell the received product.

Popular ways to steal a car

To protect your transport from hacking, you should combine different methods of protection. For example, thieves often lose interest in transport, in which, in addition to the standard, mechanical security is installed in the form of various blockers (steering wheel, pedals or gearshift lever).

2. Theft of cars with a keyless entry system (Smart Key)

The list continues with the following method, which is popular with the advent of the latest digital technologies. Keyless entry to the vehicle interior provides the driver with greater freedom of action. For example, he can start the car, leave it, moving away a certain distance. As soon as it goes beyond the range of the key card, the car will stall and close.

Popular ways to steal a car

Despite the complexity of the digital signal that reflects the key, it is not difficult for an experienced thief to steal such a vehicle. For this, not an ordinary code grabber is already used, but other equipment. An effective thief's key is called a fishing rod. This device amplifies the signal coming from the key card, which is always in the driver's pocket, who uses keyless access to the car.

In this case, more reliable protection is the installation of an expensive and complex access system. To steal such a car, a thief will have to purchase an amplifier that can bypass the protection. But this is not a guarantee against theft.

An example of this is a small experiment carried out by representatives of the European motoring society ADAC. Many popular models were tested, including examples equipped with expensive systems. The list included popular models of Audi of the A line (3,4,6 series), BMW of the seventh series, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai SantaFe, Mazda CX-5, Range Rover Evoque, Lexus RX450h, Toyota RAV-4 and some other modern cars. The tested models could not be protected from hacking with a signal extension cable.

Popular ways to steal a car

The only model tested that made it difficult for the hijackers was the BMW i3. But this car turned out to be started using other methods of theft. For this reason, you should not rely on a cool driver to protect vehicles from theft. This is just an element of comfort that does not belong to the car safety system. A signal extender can handle the task easily.

3. Hijacking and breaking electronic systems

The electronics of a modern car allows you to install an immobilizer that turns off individual components and assemblies. The essence of the device is to prevent the engine from starting or starting to move without the appropriate key, which closes the electronic circuit.

For the uninitiated person, hacking such a system is an insurmountable task. But a car thief, having access to the software, can handle it in no time. The work is facilitated by the fact that many car owners purchase an inexpensive car immobilizer or use a standard version. In this case, the devices most often work on a similar principle.

Popular ways to steal a car

Finding the right software for standard devices is easy enough on the black market. Thieves know where to find the right product. To steal a car, you need to have a suitable laptop, which is connected to the diagnostic socket of the car.

In a couple of minutes, an experienced hijacker is able to tweak the settings of the on-board system so that the computer will perceive the new firmware as standard and provide access to an outsider. In some cases, keyless autostart of the power unit will even be available.

How to protect against hacking of electronic systems?

Although the immobilizer provides some protection against car theft, it does not ensure its safety, and also does not prevent unauthorized access to the salon. And this is the main reason why car owners independently allow outsiders to get into the salon and change the computer settings.

To protect your iron horse from such situations, you need to install an alarm. The feedback model is particularly useful. So the owner of the vehicle will be notified of an attempt to enter the car.

Popular ways to steal a car

When choosing an alarm, it is better to consult with a specialist which modification would be better to choose. He can take into account the characteristics of a particular car, and suggest which protection will be most effective. For example, he may recommend installing additional blocking of some elements of the machine when an alarm is triggered. It is better if this mechanism is independent from the control unit. This will be a more reliable way to secure your transport.

4. Hijacking by car service or dealer

Unfortunately, some car maintenance services and, less often, dealers negotiate cooperation with thieves. The situation is complicated by the fact that the motorist trusts the master and can freely give the keys to his car, and with them access to the on-board system.

Popular ways to steal a car

Sometimes a car dealer helps steal cars. He transfers information about the newly purchased car to third parties. Until the client has time to understand the factory protection or has not bought a more reliable alarm, the car thief can use programs to break into factory security systems.

How to protect yourself from theft after visiting a car service or dealer?

If you had to use the services of an unfamiliar service station, then after the repair you should carefully check your vehicle. Here's what to look out for:

  • Wiring. There should be no twists in a new car. Otherwise, this is clear evidence of interference with the on-board system. Intruders can disable blocking of the motor or other systems to which the immobilizer is connected.
  • Keys. If the model uses a keyless entry key fob, make sure that workers have not made a copy of the key. Of course, this is extremely difficult to do.
  • Are there any additional electronic or mechanical devices installed if the owner has not requested such a service?
  • Sometimes employees of a dubious car service can say that an ECU flashing is needed due to an imaginary error that was allegedly revealed during the work. This procedure is best done only at a reputable car service.

It is extremely difficult to secure your car from unauthorized access when employees have free access to electronics and security systems for a long time. In this case, it is better not to leave the car unattended for a long time. Hijacking vehicles from a service station or car wash is a common occurrence. Moreover, some "specialists" even manage to register the stolen transport on a "legal" basis with someone else.

5. Theft when selling a car

This mostly happens to careless car owners. Buying a vehicle on the secondary market is always accompanied by a test drive. Sometimes the owner gives the prospective buyer the opportunity to check the car in operation, but at the same time leaves the salon. So the vehicle is given to the swindler for free.

Popular ways to steal a car

How to protect yourself from theft when you resell your car?

In order not to say goodbye to the car ahead of time, you should not be reckless. Neither documents, nor keys, nor the car itself should be left alone with a stranger. Typically, attackers try to do everything quickly so that the seller becomes confused and vigilant.

So, the documents always need to be double-checked, if they were taken even in order to look in the presence of the owner of the car. There is no rush to sell. It is imperative to double-check everything. The same applies to the purchase of transport on hand, so that it does not turn out that money was paid for a non-existent car. But this is from another story, when the thief took possession of other people's money.

6. Hijacking with a tow truck

A transport tow truck is a common occurrence in almost any big city. Sometimes you can observe how an incorrectly parked vehicle is loaded onto the loader platform. Unfortunately, some car thieves use this method insolently.

Popular ways to steal a car

Moreover, a thief does not need to have his own tow truck. It is enough for him to find an unscrupulous or naive driver of such a transport. Sometimes an unsuspecting driver assists a thief who pretends to be the owner of a particular car and needs to take it to a service due to the loss of keys.

How to protect yourself from theft by a tow truck?

No immobilizer is able to prevent the car from being transported on a tow truck. As for the alarm, most budget models will not work even if the glass is broken.

In order for the signaling to work when the body is tilted or the car is moving, it is better to choose the one that has feedback and reacts more effectively to manipulations with transport. Of course, the price of such a security system will be higher than the standard one, but the car owner will be sure that the transport is under reliable protection.

7. Theft by mechanical burglary

As statistics show, the vast majority of stolen cars belong to the class of budget models. The reason for this is the widespread opinion of car owners that no one needs a cheap car. Because of this attitude, some do not even think about ordering an alarm for their car. All this makes it easier for the hijacker.

Popular ways to steal a car

No one has any questions about where did the person get the parts that he sells on Internet platforms. The owners of scrap metal collection points do not ask similar questions when they accept the distorted part of the car body.

Stealing such cars is one of the easiest tasks a beginner can handle. To do this, simply break the side glass, connect the ignition wires together, and you can go.

Even an elementary signaling system is enough to protect against such hacking. It will work and scare off the intruder. Of course, a clever person knows how to silence her. For this reason, it is better to take care of additional mechanical protection against theft. For example, you can purchase a wheel shoe, a steering lock or a gear lever lock.

8. Hijacking with violence or theft of keys

One of the most blatant and brutal hijacking methods is violence against the driver. In addition to the fact that the hijacker is trying to take possession of someone else's transport, if the owner refuses to give the car, he may suffer at the hands of an intruder. Sometimes it happens that thieves steal an entire car transporter, brutally beating up its driver.

Popular ways to steal a car

Another common scheme of personal contact with vehicle owners is to steal keys. To do this, they can use the services of pickpockets or hone their own skills. Usually, car keys are stolen at the entrance to large shopping centers. This gives the attackers more time to hack the car and steal it to a secret place.

To protect your health, it is better to give your car to intruders. Life should be appreciated more than different, even expensive, things. But transport safety can be taken care of in advance. For example, you can put a GPS tracker in the car. Usually it takes a certain amount of time to get to the “shelter”, during which the car owner can manage to report the theft to the police.

Popular ways to steal a car

And a good habit of hiding them and closing the bag will be a reliable protection against theft of keys.

9. Hijacking by enticing the driver from behind the wheel

Another favorite method used by attackers. Today there are many schemes by which thieves can lure the driver out of the car, hoping that he will get out, leaving the engine running.

While the car owner is solving an apparent problem (for example, a tin can clung to the rear bumper or ran into an empty plastic bottle, and the side mirror turned out to be folded), the thief enters the salon and steals the car. There are so many non-standard situations that it is impossible to create a complete list of tricks used by thieves. The main goal is to get the driver out of the car. To prevent theft, you need to acquire another useful habit - turning off the engine before leaving the car. This is especially important if something happened in the parking lot of a hypermarket or other large area.

10. Hijacking by provocation

The human factor often plays a cruel joke with the driver. A sincere desire to help a poor fellow who finds himself on the road with a smoking hood can turn out to be a pedestrian.

Sometimes a whole performance is created with the imitation of an accident. For example, a cyclist falls next to a driving away car, and a blow is clearly heard in the passenger compartment. The purpose of such provocations is the same as in the previous case - to lull the driver's vigilance and lure him out of the car.

Popular ways to steal a car

In emergencies, kind car owners quickly jump out of the transport in a desire to help the victim, forgetting about all the precautions. Usually in such situations are those who are in the car themselves.

Another manipulation concerns vehicle owners with wheel caps. The intruders remove one of the hubcaps from the parked car (usually this is the side that the motorist cannot see when he gets into the car). As soon as the car drives off, another car catches up with it, from which the passenger shows the allegedly torn off cap and asks to stop. Although the main goal in such situations is to make money on a small scratch, which was allegedly made by a flying wheel cover, often an inattentive driver leaves the car with the keys in the ignition. This makes it possible for one of the provocateurs to take possession of the transport.

Conclusion

So, no one in the modern world is immune from theft or attempts to take possession of his transport. For this reason, everyone is obliged to take care of reliable security measures. Some elements make it difficult for intruders to get into the car, while others prevent them from driving far.

Here's what every car owner can do to eliminate (or at least minimize) the attempt to hijack their vehicle:

  • It is best to park your car in a well-lit and crowded place. When the alarm goes off, the thief will hesitate or immediately run away from the crime scene.
  • When buying or selling a vehicle, in no case should you rush, and it is better to double-check all the papers several times.
  • If you need to get out of the car, you should definitely take your keys with you. The same applies to documents (in principle, they should always be with the driver).
  • No matter what model of car (expensive or budget), nobody wants to be stolen. For this reason, it is better not to spare the money to buy a high-quality alarm and immobilizer. Also, the presence of other autonomous security devices, for example, mechanical blockers, which cannot be hacked using electronic devices, will not hurt. Trackers installed in the car can help. Even if the transport is stolen, the motorist has more chances not only to return the car, but also to expose the criminals.

The installation of tracking devices can disorient thieves, as they may not even know that the vehicle is broadcasting a signal about its location. This information will speed up the search for transport and facilitate the work of the police.

At the end of the review of common theft methods, we offer a small rating of anti-theft agents:

TOP 10 ways to protect yourself from theft

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