Beware of car hackers warns Tracker

Tracker is warning car owners to be aware of a new breed of thief, able to break into vehicles and drive off without even needing a key.

Armed with a simple bit of equipment, available to buy online, criminals can programme their own key fob, circumventing a car’s security system and allowing them to simply drive it away.

A stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) unit can significantly increase the chances of a stolen car being returned to its rightful owner, helping to combat this rising threat to car owners, says Tracker.

A criminal simply needs to smash the window to gain access to a car.

Once inside they plug in a small device, which should only be available to car dealers or locksmiths, into the car’s diagnostic port which is present on all modern cars. This then connects to the car’s computer and provides the thieves with the access codes needed to program a blank key fob which is held closely to the device.

As soon as this is done all the car’s security systems have been negated and the thieves are then in control of the car.

Security experts and police sources also tell of alarming increases in thefts of vehicles with keyless entry systems.

Simon Ashton, industry liaison officer at the Metropolitan police stolen vehicles unit, said: “New, in-car technology offer drivers a huge range of benefits, but it’s easy to be blind to the potential risks that come with it.

“Criminals are finding new ways to get around the security added to a car and exploit any weaknesses. The message is clear; protect your vehicle with everything you can, rather than simply relying on the features that come with the vehicle.”

“At Tracker, we know all too well from experience that thieves will always keep pace with state-of-the-art technology, which is why it is so important to take extra measures wherever possible,” says Adrian Davenport, police liaison officer for Tracker.

“We advise car owners to install a tracking unit, which will significantly increase the likelihood that a stolen vehicle will be recovered, lead the police to the car and hopefully make an arrest.

“In addition, Tracker devices come with a motion sensor that’s triggered even if the engine isn’t started, for added peace of mind.”

Tracker stolen vehicle recovery systems work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle.