Here is an article about how thieves are able to crack keyless entry and ignition systems in about twenty minutes using a laptop.

http://digg.com/technology/Gone_in_2..._to_steal_cars

What does anyone make of this? I never really considered getting lojack on this car because of the nature of the wireless security system. Now I wonder if our cars might actually be LESS secure in a few years, given inevitable advances in hacking as well as security improvements carmakers will add to future models.

Does anyone have lojack on their IS?

 

I would not think too much of it. If you live or will park in a unsafe neighborhood, you should not have considered getting a luxury car.

Gone in 20 minutes (for keyless entry) is much better than gone in 60 seconds (for conventional key entry).

 

I have insurance.

 

I believe if you have the Nav System it would be better than Lo Jack. Lo Jack only works in certain areas.

and these criminals arent the ones you would find in the bad neighborhoods, this is expensive equipment

 

Yeah, I checked out the archives and found there is a pretty strong division between those who use/support Lojack v. those who will just use the insurance proceeds to buy a new car.

As to the other point about "high crime areas" - I actually think this could be more of a problem in low-density, nicer areas. There is a better chance of finding cars with this type of system and probably less of a chance of being seen or caught while you are working on it. If you don't have a garage or leave the car outside, a thief could easy work on the car in the middle of the night in most neighborhoods without being seen.

 

D'oh! Guess I'll keep my AUTOLOCK for a while longer.

I was going to turn my Autolock into a paper weight.

 

hmph, X5 has keyless go? I dont think so?

X5 has become notorious for easy picking. There has been an epidemic of X5 steals through out the whole Europe when they figured out the system, but it is normal keyless entry with an key.

Here we had something crazy like 50 X5's stolen within 6 months, when usual number was 1 per year... Hard times for X5 drivers.

 

20 minutes is a LONG time to sit in a car and "hack" the ignition system.

 

what if besides a key, they will add finger print identification inside to start the motor, and eye scanners, and voice recognition? Would that at least deter some criminals?

 

Some day. Not yet, but someday. Unfortunately there has to be a way to reprogram that otherwise there's no point in resale, and I'm pretty sure that they'll be able to find a way to get to that.

 

There will always be deterrents to slow down the average thief. But most "experts" will get around that anyhow. If someone wants something bad enough they will get it. Flatbeds are abundant. Trust me, I know all about that. I had my Range snatched a year ago while visiting a friend