5 tips to keep your car safe from burglars
Raffy Boudjikanian | CBC News | Posted: December 18, 2014 2:23 PM | Last Updated: December 18, 2014
Thieves can hack into your car's wireless key-entry system. Here are some tips to outsmart them
Low-tech devices potentially allow thieves to get inside your car without smashing any windows to get in by, for example, mimicking your key fob or disabling your car’s electronics through an electromagnetic pulse wave.
CBC Montreal Investigates found a Laval street where four different car owners had their vehicles broken into and robbed without any traces of damage on the same night.
Three neighbours on a street in Dollard-des-Ormeaux reported the same kind of activity, even though they all said they were sure they'd locked their doors.
Here are some ways to minimize this risk:
1. Don't leave valuables in the car
If someone can get into your vehicle, it doesn’t matter if your tablet is stowed away in your trunk, or your GPS is hidden in your glove compartment — they now have access to both those areas. The solution is to just remove everything that’s worth anything from your car.
2. Choose your parking spot wisely
Park in a well-lit area, perhaps with cameras. Both of these measures act as deterrents to the thieves. Two of the people we interviewed in Laval said they’d had cameras installed near their front doors since their cars were broken into last summer.
3. Disable your car's electronic key system
This could admittedly become inconvenient, but it's less inconvenient than having your car stolen. If you have your dealer or mechanic remove your ability to open your car at a distance with a key fob, then thieves would no longer be able to capture your key fob signal.
4. Install an extra alarm system
Most vehicle alarm systems are tied to their lock mechanisms — so if thieves manage to disable your locks, they also bypass your alarm system. If you want to take an extra step in protecting your vehicle, get an after-market alarm system installed. It will remain active even if your locks get hacked.
5. Engrave your car windows or windshield
This is more helpful to deter thieves from hotwiring your car than simply breaking in to steal your stuff. Montreal police say thieves are likely to shy away from picking on vehicles which have distinct markings etched on their glass surfaces.
CBC Montreal Investigates
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