Lurker Caught On Security Cam Shows Why Modern Cars Need Extra Security

Because the uploader of the pic didn't. So Reddit user SandipJB posted the image on the platform's r/whatisthisthing community, where users seek answers about strange, unidentified objects.

"My security camera caught this individual with a large device, possibly scanning for something? The individual noticed the camera and changed their mind it seems, but what have they got and what are they doing?" SandipJB asked.

It's a signal booster and relay system. Basically, there's a unit that picks up an RFID signal and broadcasts it to a nearby relay.

So the person in the security cam pic was scanning for a signal from a car key fob to send to the relay, which would likely be next to a car, making it think that the key was right there.

Yeah, the uploader got a pic of a would-be car thief.

It's great to have a car that you don't need to jam a key into to unlock or start, right? So handy at the grocery store, when you're loaded down with milk and eggs and paper towels and whatnot and don't want to mess around with keys.

And hey, push-button starters are convenient, too! I remember when push-starts are what I had to help my neighbor with the Camaro with a wonky transmission do when I was a kid.

Bonus, you don't ever have to worry about breaking a key off in either the door or the ignition.

It's not subtle, but it's effective, and chances are you'll be none the wiser. If the car thinks it's a legit key, your car alarm isn't going to activate unless you've outfitted your ride with an alarm that requires an extra level of disarming.

It's pretty scary how easy it can be for would-be thieves like the one in the Reddit post to just help themselves to your wheels.

Keyless cars are increasingly popular. Once reserved for high-end luxury brands like Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, or Lexus, now they're everywhere.

And no surprise, that's been accompanied by a rise in car thefts involving keyless cars — although those thefts typically involve high-end brands like Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, and Mercedes. But keyless car thefts accounted for 48% of all vehicle theft claims in 2019, according to Forbes.

In particular, people often mistake them for being turned off when they're still on.

As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pointed out, some people will think their car is off and in park and walk away, only to have it roll off uncontrolled, or leave the engine running in the garage but think it's off and put themselves at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

In fact, that last scenario claimed the lives of a couple in 2019, The New York Times reported.

Tech is catching up to the issue. As What Car? reported, Land Rover has started including an "ultra-wide-band transmitter" in its vehicles that sends out a range of frequencies all at once, drowning out whatever signal thieves might hope to catch.

But until that tech is more widely available, try not to store your car fob near the front door or next to windows. Ideally, consider stashing your fob in an RFID-blocking container.

And, judging by how SandipJB's experience went, a doorbell cam might not be a bad idea either.

h/t: Reddit | SandipJB