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Posts Tagged ‘authentication’

Data released from government agencies revealed that from 2003 to 2006, the nation saw a dip in overall vehicular theft – 11 percent, in fact. That still left thousands upon thousands of cars taken in the night (or broad daylight) and resold as legitimate used vehicles, shipped overseas or dismantled for their parts.

According to respected experts on vehicle theft, positive results are being seen from owner-applied theft deterrence and recovery systems. With automotive engineers focusing more on technological advancements, vehicle theft in the United States could continue to be greatly reduced. In the meantime, organizations dedicated to preventing car theft recommend a multi-tiered approach to safeguarding vehicles.

(1) Don’t Make It Easy

Do all you can to make sure those “little things” don’t add up to an easy take. Remember to remove your keys, lock the doors, close the windows, park in well-lit areas and hide all valuables. Thieves are experts. These kinds of mistakes provide them with encouragement to hop in your ride and, well, ride off with it. Plus, most insurers won’t cover the costs of a stolen vehicle if the keys were in or around it.

(2) Use Warning Devices

Any indication your car is protected can act as a deterrent. A thief may be less likely to target your property if you advertise it is protected in some way, either via audio alerts, Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) scratched into the windows, or prominent stickers advertising an anti-theft system.

(3) Immobilizing Devices

Immobilization devices prevent the bypassing of the ignition in order to hotwire the vehicle. Examples include smart keys, fuse cut-offs, kill switches, starter/ignition/fuel pump disablers and wireless ignition authentication.

Some of the best immobilization systems will use an electronic code transmitted from a transponder located in the vehicle’s ignition key to allow or disallow the engine management system to start the vehicle. When the correct electronically-coded signal sent by the transponder to a coil located near the ignition is received, the car will start. Such systems can have as many as one trillion fixed codes or a rolling code with encrypted algorithms, making it virtually impossible to crack. As a bonus, some of these systems will also allow the driver to personalize certain features, like seat and mirror position and keyless entry.

(4) Telematics Tracking Devices

Tracking devices are also excellent defenses against car theft. They may, in fact, herald a new era of auto theft protection. Tracking devices use telematics, which can combine a Global Positioning System (GPS) with wireless technology to monitor a vehicle’s location. If thieves realize a particular vehicle can be easily located at any given moment, they may be (should be) far less likely to snatch it. And if they do – well, bad news for them.

Telematics modules may offer more than just vehicular tracking, as well, by virtue of their technological capability. Some in-vehicle systems will also integrate a phone, a global position satellite receiver and digital signal processing to enable communication between a vehicle and a response center. This will provide navigation assistance, remote diagnostics, collision detection and call center notification, hands-free call center communication and remote door lock/unlock.

Other anti-theft devices include steering wheel and ignition locks, audio alerts, keyless vehicle systems, remote keyless activation and ultrasonic interior protection with inclination sensing. The last is, perhaps, one of the more interesting innovations. In an attempt to combat annoying and neighbor-riling false alarms often associated with ignored audio warning systems, certain manufacturers have created theft deterrents designed to sense activity within the vehicle. When interior movement is detected or a change in inclination is sensed, the system will trigger an alarm regardless of the park position. Lifting a vehicle in order to deactivate certain systems is a common trick used by thieves. Inclination sensing combats this technique and ultrasonic protection soothes once-friendly neighbors weary of those midnight false alarms.

Despite advances in technology and the development of new automotive security devices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that auto theft occurs every 26.4 seconds in the United States. To put that figure in perspective, more than 1 million vehicles were stolen in 2006 alone.

Most likely, vehicle owners experience great distress with the loss of such an important possession. But according to a National Insurance Crime Bureau survey conducted in 2007, consumers are often unaware of the extent of the cost involved with a stolen vehicle. For starters, there’s the insurance deductible and the further expense of replacing uninsured or underinsured vehicles. Additional costs can also come in the form of insurance premium increases, the cost of time spent dealing with police, vehicle rental costs and the cost of time off from work.

While it’s imperative that car owners observe security measures to discourage theft, vehicle manufacturers possess a visionary understanding of automotive safety and security that reaches far beyond keyless entry and theft-deterrent systems. The concept of seamless blending of multiple products into one Integrated Safety System may further increase automotive security and a car owner’s peace of mind.

Perhaps one of the most reliable theft protection systems available, Vehicle Immobilization Systems use an electronic code transmitted from a transponder (tag) located in the vehicle’s ignition key to allow or disallow the engine management system to start the vehicle. To start a vehicle equipped with such a system, the driver places the tag near the ignition lock. Stored within the tag is a unique security code. The security code signal is sent via a transponder. When the correct code is received, the vehicle is allowed to start up.

In addition, the system can also allow personalized settings by an individual driver for memory seats, mirrors and keyless vehicle features.

Unlike Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) systems which operate with an ultra-high-frequency (UHF) carrier, immobilization systems operate at low frequency (125kHz). In most designs, the transponder is located within the head of the ignition key. However, vehicle manufacturers might also locate the tag in a key fob or card.

Another opportunity to increase automobile security and convenience may be the elimination of keys. Since the inception of the automobile, drivers have fumbled around in pockets and purses, trying to locate their keys – a potentially dangerous task in a dark parking lot. With RKE systems technology, the vehicle recognizes a driver’s fob and unlocks the door. The system also allows drivers to start and drive cars without inserting a key. For additional security, proprietary communication algorithms help ensure that the authentication codes contained in the fob will not be intercepted.

One keyless vehicle system uses a start/stop button enabled with a fob. Another uses a fingerprint scanner that allows only people whose fingerprints are stored in the system to start the vehicle. Systems also offer seat and steering column position and radio station features. A passive entry back-up provides for low-battery conditions.

Another choice for automobile buyers, RKE systems may assist in reducing car theft. Among the vehicle features that can be controlled from a distance are central door locking/unlocking, a panic alarm, an anti-theft warning system, a courtesy light and seat/mirror adjustment. Additional conveniences include integration of keyless actuation and tire pressure monitor and a variety of button configurations for customization.

Drivers not only have to be concerned with theft of a vehicle but also theft of its content and components, such as wheels, radios, and personal possessions. Technology for an Ultrasonic Interior Protection system triggers an alarm when movement in the vehicle’s interior is detected. Any changes in inclination (tilting) also trigger a warning. The microprocessor with digital signal processing requires low power consumption and is integrated into one control unit – making it an attractive safety feature for manufacturers and consumers.

Products and new automotive design features can help consumers protect their vehicles from theft and improve safety. From simple components to fully integrated systems, safety technology continues to be explored and innovated.