Is Vehicle Security Compromised In The Battle Between Traditional And Digital Keys?

According to recent statistics, more than 58,000 vehicles were stolen in the UK in 2022, a rise of nearly one-fifth on the previous year and equivalent to 159 thefts every day.

Any increase in car theft should be a cause for concern, particularly at a time when advancing technology is supposed to reduce car crime by making it harder for criminals to gain access to locked vehicles.

In this article, we’ll outline the main ways that car owners fall victim to theft.

Keyless Car Theft

The theft of keyless cars is on the increase and has featured prominently in national media and local police force campaigns in recent months. According to insurer Aviva, car thefts via keyless entry take less than 60 seconds to execute, a key reason why this type of crime is the most common type of car theft.

Keyless car theft requires only two pieces of kit – a relay transmitter and an amplifier – both of which are easy to obtain for less than £100. When used together, a vehicle can be fooled into believing that the actual key for the car is in close range and automatically unlocks the doors and activates the ignition. Blocking the signals that the key emits is an effective way to prevent this type of car crime as some keyless systems feature sleep modes which suppress the signal, whilst storing them in a Faraday pouch will also provide effective protection.

Turbo Decoders

Turbo decoders are a modern version of skeleton keys which were invented in Europe in the Middle Ages. Legitimate locksmiths use them to gain entry to cars when the regular keys have been misplaced; unfortunately, this means they are easy for criminals to obtain. Turbo decoders are simply inserted into a door lock, the spigots align to the unique shape of the keyhole, and the lock can be instantly activated. To combat this type of crime, multi-layered security, including immobilisers and tracking systems, can be beneficial.

Car Key Code Grabbing/Transponder Cloning

These crimes are often carried out by untrustworthy auto service businesses where the vehicle owners entrust their keys to them, such as garages, car washes, or valets. While the keys are in their possession, criminals copy the unique code to a blank key. The genuine key is returned to the car owner later, and the cloned key is used to steal the vehicle when it is parked unoccupied, such as during the night.

What Are The Implications For Vehicle Security?

While criminals are devising ways to exploit the latest advances in vehicle security, the fact is that keyless fobs and digital keys offer greater protection than the traditional blades that were commonplace only a decade or two ago. Car owners must implement a multi-layered approach to security to reduce the chances of a thief gaining unauthorised access to their vehicle.

At Advanced Keys, we provide car key cloning for auto technicians and garages seeking to expand their services and attract new customers to their business.To find out more, please browse our website or get in touch if you have any questions.

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