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Huge increase in car thefts due to keyless technology
New figures show that hundreds of the UK’s top-selling cars are at risk of theft by criminals who use technology to hack into keyless systems. Four out of five of the UK’s most popular cars are on the list of the models vulnerable to such crimes. Independent consumer advocate, Which? analysed the results of data from the motoring organisation General German Automobile Club (ADAC), a to show the impact of so-called keyless or ‘relay’ attacks, on the nation’s five best-selling cars. Vehicle thefts up almost 50% Lots of new cars now have keyless entry systems. With the touch of your hand, you can open the door, ridding you of the need to fumble for keys inside pockets and bags. If the vehicle also has a keyless start-stop function, you need only press a button to start the engine. Yet, cheap gadgets available online, enable thieves to fool these systems into allowing them to unlock and steal—or steal from—vehicles in minutes. The Office for National Statistics figures released last week showed that, between 2017 and 2018, police in England and Wales received around 111,999 reports of vehicle theft—an increase of 48.7% in just five years compared to the 2013-2014 figure of 75,308 stolen vehicles. This equals 300 stolen cars each day—or one every five minutes. In only the five months from April to September 2018, there were reports of almost 60,000 vehicle thefts. While car theft is much lower than it was in the 1990s, experts say the number of thefts is rising in line with increased use of keyless technology. Another factor may be the government’s cuts to the policing budget, which has meant numerous police forces have had to reduce the number of officers they employ. There has been a 15% reduction of police officers since 2006, with 5,975 officers lost between 2013 to 2018 alone. Police presence hasn’t been this low since the 1980s. ADAC tested 237 car models with the keyless unlock and start function and found security flaws in 230 of the models. Models from over 30 brands could be unlocked and started by using a relay attack, including BMW, Peugeot, and Volvo, while a further four models could be either unlocked or started. Which? found the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai, and Ford Focus are all among the cars vulnerable to this kind of theft. Only the Vauxhall Corsa was not susceptible because it is not available with keyless entry or ignition. Only three keyless cars ADAC tested were impervious to relay attacks because they use technology that can determine the distance from the vehicle with more precision. These cars, all manufactured by Jaguar Land Rover, were the 2018 Jaguar I-Pace; and the latest Discovery and Range Rover models. ‘An ongoing battle’ Which? say criminals have used the relay attack for several years but that the number of keyless thefts has soared because carmakers have done nothing to protect their cars from relay attacks. They claim car manufacturers have “sacrificed the security of scores of modern cars for the sake of convenience”. Editor of Which? magazine, Harry Rose said: “With more than one car being stolen every seven minutes, it’s important that people can feel confident in the security of their vehicle. “The fact that so many cars on the road are susceptible to keyless theft simply isn’t good enough. “We want manufacturers to up their game when it comes to making their vehicles safe from theft.” It’s unfortunate that it’s not just the owner who suffers when somebody steals their car. An increase in car theft figures carries the potential for the likelihood of increased premiums for every person paying for car insurance. So, are manufacturers doing enough to protect their customers? The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Chief Executive Mike Hawes, says: “Industry takes vehicle crime extremely seriously and any claims otherwise are categorically untrue. “New cars are more secure than ever, and the latest technology has helped bring down theft dramatically with, on average, less than 0.3% of the cars on our roads stolen. “Criminals will always look for new ways to steal cars; it’s an ongoing battle and why manufacturers continue to invest billions in ever more sophisticated security features—ahead of any regulation. “However, technology can only do so much and we continue to call for action to stop the open sale of equipment with no legal purpose that helps criminals steal cars.” Gone in 18 seconds Car thieves carry out keyless theft by operating as a pair, using two devices; a relay amplifier and a relay transmitter. These devices pick up on the electromagnetic signals transmitted by the keyless fob from inside the driver’s home. One thief, holding the amplifier, stands close to the building they suspect the keyless fob to be. The amplifier detects the key fob’s signal, amplifies it, and sends it to the transmitter held by the second thief who stands next to the car they plan to steal. The car detects the signal and unlocks in the same way it would if the key fob were near the car, allowing the criminals to start the car using the push-button ignition. In under one minute, the criminals could drive your car away, all without your key leaving your home. In fact, Which? says theft via relay attacks can take a mere 18 seconds to complete. To protect yourself from becoming a victim, consider using a Faraday cage to protect your key. Made of layers of metallic material, these work by blocking the signal. You can find various key wallets and containers online. Don’t forget to protect your spare key too. If you want still more protection, consider using a steering lock. Owners of older Mercedes cars can switch off the keyless signal by double-clicking the lock button on the key and owners of some Mazda and Peugeot models can have the keyless entry system disabled for free by contacting their local dealer. Living with the ST Over the years (and these are many having passed my driving test in 1979) I have owned in Excess of 50 cars. I have owned most makes and many models, however, the majority of which have been Fords. I have not been attracted so much to the Vauxhall range as I have Fords. I bought a 3 year old Focus ST2 in February of this year. I wanted it in white and the ST trim level provided me with enough of the toys to keep me satisfied. In the past I had bought base model versions and then spent a fortune adding aftermarket accessories and equipment. A pointless exercise as it doesn’t add any value. The reason I bought the ST? Well it was probably because I wanted to go back to my hot hatch days of the 1980’s. Of all the cars I have owned, the one that I enjoyed the most was a white 1987 XR3i with an RS Turbo body kit, Ford Racing colours and a Peco exhaust system. Does the ST live up to the hot hatch image? Of course it does. It’s 2.5 times more powerful than the old 80’s car but it still puts the same smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel. The handling is awesome. You can’t get caught out on a sharp bend as it will keep you planted on the road. I know that the rules of physics mean that there is a limit to maintaining traction on a bend and I have not attempted to find this. I don’t want to and suggest anybody else tries this either. I quite like the intake sound pumped into the cabin when you go over 2500 revs. It’s not there all the time, only when accelerating. Ford has put the right balance of sound with throttle usage so it won’t get on your nerves. There is no turbo lag. Acceleration is smooth but surprisingly quick. It’s not an RS but it’s enough to keep most mere mortals happy. When I bought this car, I wasn’t overly happy with the service history and one of the front tyres had stepping along the inner tread causing a droning noise. I therefore got my trusted local indy garage to give it a full service, new front tyres and new rear brake pads as these were low. That cost me around £650. Since then the ST has cost me nothing apart from the cost of fuel. I have been getting anything between 35mpg and if you drive like granny (or most of your time in limited speed roadwork's) you will get 41mpg.
It’s not all good news though. The one negative I have with the car is the terrible electronic anti torque steer system. On uneven roads you will feel the system pulling the wheel back to the middle. This is only a gentle pull, however if you pull across a cambered road to overtake you will find yourself fighting with the wheel under acceleration. It does make for some exciting activity behind the wheel especially when you first experience it. On the whole, I really like this car. It’s fun as well as practical. There are times I need the 5 doors and 5 seats. It suits my life style well. It also fits in my garage which is a major plus when you live in a mews where most families have at least three cars. As far as my next purchase goes, I am considering an RS but also like the Mustang. I will have to drop the Mustang option as it may go in the garage but I will have to remain in it for the rest of my life as there is not the room to open the doors. The RS is more practical but I will be looking to buy a used one. This may be a bad move as used versions with 4000 miles on the clock are going for more than a new one at this time due to the waiting times. I could end up with a newer ST instead. New booster seats ban More changes to child car seats law on the way 25 April 2016 The rules are changing regarding backless booster seats at the end of this year Stricter rules regarding the use of booster seats will come into force later this year limiting the use of backless booster seats to older children. Under current UK law, all children travelling in a car must use the correct car seat until 12 years old or 135cm tall. In some European countries this height limit is 150cm. The new booster seat rules Under the new rules, backless booster seats will only be approved for use for children taller than 125cm and weighing more than 22kg. At the moment, children weighing as little as 15kg, that's around three years old, can travel in backless booster seats. But many child car seat experts agree that this type of booster seat is unsuitable for such young children. A small child isn't held as securely in the seat, the adult seat belt isn't guided across their little body in the best way, and, most importantly, a booster seat offers no protection for a child if your car's involved in a side-impact crash. British motorists could be stripped of licenses under new EU laws
The European Commission is proposing to 'harmonise penalty points' in move which could see British motorists stripped of their licenses if they are caught speeding while they are abroad. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/11400908/British-motorists-could-be-stripped-of-licences-under-new-EU-laws.html IN CAR CAMERA FOR LESS THAN £9 I couldn't believe it when I saw this advert so had to give it a try. For £9 I thought it would be hopeless but its actually great value for money. http://astore.amazon.co.uk/thederangeddr-21/detail/B005Q6CJI4 So its not going to be the best one in the world but at that price. It even comes with a 3m power lead so you can mount it anywhere on the windscreen and it will still reach the power supply. Also you are buying from a UK supplier. No Chinese customs to worry about http://astore.amazon.co.uk/thederangeddr-21/detail/B005Q6CJI4 |