Introduction
Every 5 minutes in the UK, A CAR IS STOLEN! Car theft has reached alarming levels across the UK, and particularly in London, as criminals continually find ways to disable even the most advanced vehicle security systems installed by manufacturers.
One of the most alarming tools at their disposal is the jammer, a device that is incredibly easy to purchase online, and we will teach you how to defend your car against it.
Originally developed for military uses, such as blocking remote signals to prevent the detonation of explosive devices, jammers have now ended up in the hands of car thieves. Their ability to jam car security devices (and more) reminds us that we must always be aware and take extra measures to protect our vehicles.
This is a technology unfamiliar to most people but well-known to thieves, who use it to steal luxury cars and ship them in containers to Russia or other countries, often via Africa.
So, what is a jammer?
The jammer works as a disrupter of GSM, radio, and GPS frequencies, launching a constant pulse that inhibits most communication systems.
This electronic device is designed to disturb the signals of key fobs, GPS trackers, and other devices, allowing thieves to interfere with security systems and gain access to vehicles undetected.
Devices such as mobile phones, radios and GPS trackers that are within range of the jammer (depending on factors such as power or environment) will no longer function properly. Imagine what would happen to a person who is within its radius and would need to call an ambulance or the fire brigade!
This disruption can also block the car’s locking and unlocking system, enabling thieves to access the vehicle without needing to physically tamper with the lock.
It’s not just cars that are vulnerable to jammers: these devices can also interfere with other crucial electronic systems, such as smart locks, home security alarms, and vital medical devices. It’s important to be aware of the risks and take appropriate protective measures.
By isolating the connection and interrupting any communication with the security centre, the latter can no longer receive the alarm signal, and thieves are, therefore, free to act undisturbed.
Moreover, a car stolen using this tool cannot be traced, as the jammer prevents its location from all radio signals.
As the research by Gloucestershire-based Chronos Technology specifies: “These devices have now been found in satnav neutralisation applications such as young driver insurance, spoofing of smart tachos, fleet management and offender tracking applications as well as serious and organised crime activity such as drugs/narcotics distribution, truck hijacking, vehicle and asset theft and rival gang wars.”
How to Protect YOUR CAR Against jammers
Install an Autowatch Ghost II Immobiliser
The most effective strategies are often the simplest. Installing an Autowatch Ghost II immobiliser, a simple but powerful defence against car theft, can make a significant difference. Unlike devices that rely on wireless signals, Ghost II emits no signal and requires a PIN, a unique sequence of button pressed to start the engine, making it immune to jamming devices.
Remember that the Autowatch Ghost II immobiliser also protects against all other methods used by car thieves, such as relay attacks or headlight hacking.
Our team of specialised technicians can install the Ghost II immobiliser and other customised solutions to protect your car!
Park in Well-Lit and Monitored Areas
Wherever possible, park in well-lit, monitored areas for better protection of your car.
Use a dash cam
Use a dash cam in conjunction with the Ghost II immobiliser.
Check the car’s doors after locking them
Manually check your car doors after locking them. Do not rely solely on the locking sound or signal from your remote. It has happened to me several times that I thought I had locked my car with the remote, only to find it open when I returned. Although this may seem like a minor issue, it’s far from trivial. In fact, it could make the difference between finding your car where you parked it and not finding it at all.
This news item concern a series of thefts from cars on the M4 in 2016, where thieves used jammers to disable vehicle security systems(link to the blog post) – Hi-tech car theft warning to drivers at M4 service stations
Do you need a professional Ghost II Installation?
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Understand Insurance Implications
It is worth noting that the insurance company may reject claims for the vehicle theft and/or its contents if it turns out that there are no signs of forced entry. Criminals who use jammers leave no visible damage, which may lead the insurance company to think that you have left the car unlocked and this can complicate the situation.
CONCLUSION
Ultimately, the best protection against car theft with jammers or other devices is in your hands. By installing the Ghost II immobiliser, which is immune to such devices, and ensuring you don’t leave anything valuable in the car that might attract the attention of thieves, you’re taking a proactive stance. Always remember to check manually whether the doors are locked, as this simple action can make a big difference.
By following these strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of car theft and the potential financial losses that come with it.
Always stay informed and use advanced after-market security tools to protect your car from sophisticated threats such as jammers or other devices used by car thieves.
Although the provisions of the Criminal Justice Bill, currently being discussed in Parliament, would make the possession, sale and importation of this technology illegal, I believe it is better to use additional devices like Autowatch Ghost II immobiliser to protect your car.
It is always better to be safe than sorry!
