A Host of Vulnerabilities

According to researchers at the University of Washington and UC San Diego, hacking a sophisticated onboard computer system in your car is much easier than you think.  Modern computer systems are designed to tell drivers, mechanics, and even the U.S. Government (helllooo big brother) minute details about your car’s performance, maintenance history, and emissions.  On the outside, this kind of technology makes for an efficient driver experience, and nearly flawless operation as various systems communicate, and interact to make driving your car more engaging, effortless, and entertaining than ever before.

What this interconnectedness also does, however, is create multiple entry areas for those looking to exploit security loopholes.  Multiple systems communicating, researchers say, creates multiple areas where differing, software platforms may not mesh properly.  This creates security loopholes, and access points for the criminally minded, and tech savvy.

Just What’s at Risk

But just what are the implications of these loopholes on your daily driving experience?  As an example, your car’s OBD port, a little electronic connection required for emissions, and diagnostic testing, can be used by someone with sophisticated computer networking knowledge to turn on your car, engage or disengage locks, and, ultimate, make off with your vehicular asset.  In one lab experiment, researchers were even able to wirelessly connect to a vehicles onboard computer system and take control of vital safety, and mechanical operations.  Scary stuff, and we haven’t even begun talking about the whole autonomous car bit yet.

So, Technology is Bad, Right?

While your first inclination after reading all this gloom and doom about technology may be to make a quick trip to the junk yard for that old 1960’s Chevy, rust-laden or not, it turns out that these vulnerabilities can be corrected with the right knowledge, and expertise.  After learning of some of the most common security exploits, many car manufacturers took it upon themselves to plug up the loopholes, albeit a few years after they were originally discovered.

The good news is that the every day driver (that’s you) has other options when it comes to ensuring the safety, and security of their vehicle.  Experienced security, and locksmith experts, such as those at A-1 Locksmith, have the industry, and technological knowledge to assess your individual vehicle needs, and recommend, and install a security system that locks down known hacker access points.  A-1’s experienced security staff has a wide range of experience in the corporate, and private consumer world.  To rest easier and find out if your car is as protected as it should be, call A-1 to discuss an automobile security system that won’t leave you vulnerable to a bored computer genius residing in their parent’s basement.  A-1 Locksmith has everything you need to ensure your vehicular peace of mind.

If this situation sounds familiar enough, you also have probably rarely left the comfort of your cozy bed to investigate what triggered the alarm in the first place.  Does this mean that car alarms aren’t effective or that you shouldn’t worry about purchasing, installing or maintaining them on your vehicle?  Read on to discover whether our anecdotal tale has any real life statistics when it comes to car alarms, and deterring crime.

By the Numbers

When it comes to ignoring car alarms, you aren’t alone.  And as it turns out, most of the time you’d be right to put the pillow over your ears, and go back to sleep.  A study conducted in the 1990’s concluded that between 95-99% of all triggered car alarms were false.  It would make sense, then, that 99% of triggered car alarms are not followed up on (we hope we made you feel better that you weren’t the only one).  Few studies have been conducted on deterrence given the understandably reluctant nature of thieves to discuss their preferences, but research suggests that cars with alarms are only slightly less likely to be stolen than those without.

What Does Law Enforcement Have to Say?

While law enforcement typically isn’t the type to complain, they do field their fair share of calls regarding car alarms.  Unfortunately, most of these have to do with nuisance car alarms, or those that continuously go off creating havoc, and reducing quality sleep, in residential neighborhoods. Most major local law enforcement and city websites address car alarms, and significant resources are dedicated to resolving neighborhood disputes over the noise pollution.

More Than Just Noise

With the general consensus that car alarms are only minimally effective at preventing vehicle theft, and the growing tide of noise pollution complaints given the number of falsely triggered alarms, it would seem that car alarms were a useless security tool.  Or are they?

While alarms may be outdated noisemakers, complimentary security systems, have been shown to be effective at both theft prevention and vehicle recovery.  Car alarms that couple horns blaring, beeping and honking with modern technologies that disable the engine until a key is nearby, can greatly reduce the chances of your car being stolen.  GPS based systems, such as LoJack, have been proven to drastically reduce recovery time for your stolen vehicle, decreasing the risk that your car will be damaged upon return.

In any situation, a car alarm is only effective if your car’s standard lock system has not been compromised. Contact A-1 today to learn about our extensive auto-protection services