A similar concept applies to automotive security. Here are 5 auto security trends that can benefit you. 

1. Keyless FOBs

Keyless fobs have been around for years, but they’re getting more and more advanced. Many of these devices won’t allow the vehicle to lock if they are inside them, which makes it more difficult to get locked out of your car. Furthermore, they are more difficult to duplicate and most models let you access your vehicle without taking the fob out of your pocket. With added security functionality like remote alarm triggering, this is a trend that is here to stay.

2. Passwords

More vehicles allow you to add a password to the interface, which can protect certain information stored in the car, like WiFi or owner information. You can add a combination lock to the door of your vehicle, which is like a password, and many of the smart apps that connect to cars can be password-protected as well. With the rise of digital technology, more vehicles are prone to remote hacking, so passwords add peace of mind amidst other benefits. 

3. Home Charging Stations

As electric cars become more prevalent, so are incidents of hackers using charging stations to steal electricity and sensitive information. Automotive cybersecurity is still new and evolving, so what can you do to protect yourself? A home charging station is one solution. These are less likely to be tampered with by a criminal, since they are in your home, and you can use certain types of paint to protect against wireless signals. A personal item will usually be more secure than a public one, so this trend should continue. 

4. GPS Tracking

Many vehicles use GPS-tracking software for monitoring driver performance and tracking criminals who have stolen the vehicle. The latter is the feature that relates to security, as it gives you much more peace of mind about the safety of your vehicle (especially if anyone is still inside it when it’s stolen). This technology will continue to improve, but it’s a trend that has definite staying power.

5. Smart Keys

Another security trend with benefits is the smart key. You can have keys created by a professional locksmith that only has access to, say, the door or the starter. By limiting the functionality of any keys you duplicate, you can feel better about lending them to someone you don’t know as well, such as a valet or acquaintance. 

These are just five auto security trends you shouldn’t ignore on a list that could easily be much larger. For more automotive security advice, give the A-1 Locksmith team a call at (972) 284-7500 or stop by one of our North Texas locations today.

While a simple concept, locking your car door is actually one of the most effective ways to prevent theft and crime. Let’s go over some tips to help you get in the habit of locking your car, as well as a few other security precautions to take when you’re away from home.

Tips for Remembering to Lock Your Car

One of the easiest ways to ensure you never lock your keys in your car again is to upgrade to a smart key fob or install smart locks with combination entry. (Many keyless options today won’t let the car lock if they’re inside it.) But, there are some other solutions that will give you peace of mind and help you remember to always lock your vehicle:

• Hit the lock button twice when exiting the vehicle. 
• Check to see if your vehicle’s settings allow for automatic locks with passive arming.
• Set up reminders on your phone at first to get you into the habit.
• Verify it’s locked by checking to see if the lights flash or the car makes a sound.
• Give the handle a tug for a final confirmation

Other Ways to Protect Your Vehicle

Making sure your vehicle is locked isn’t a foolproof solution for avoiding break-ins, however. Here are a few other tips to ensure your vehicle isn’t a prime target for criminals:

• Park in established parking lots with proper lighting, if possible.
• Avoid leaving your car in neighborhoods with high crime for too long. 
• Don’t leave valuables inside your car that are visible from the outside.
• Install a security system or sign up for vehicle tracking software.
• Always be aware of your surroundings and who may be following or watching you.
• Consult with an auto locksmith to see if there are any other improvement opportunities.

Now that you know the one thing you should never do with your car, what are you going to do about it? If you’re interested in security upgrades or have any questions about the suggestions above, contact the team at A-1 Locksmith today. 

From locks to other hardware, here are five vehicle parts to consider replacing:   

1. Door Handles

For starters, you can upgrade the door knobs or door handles on your vehicle so that they either have more security features, such as being accessed remotely, or they’re more difficult for thieves to access by being flush with the vehicle door. Other security reasons to replace car door handles include replacing compromised handles and adding a backup key slot if the first one is ever damaged (or you lose the key for it).

2. Locks

It also might be time for your locks to be upgraded, especially if you have an older style that is easily visible from the outside, letting potential criminals know if your car is locked or unlocked. Smart locks give you extra convenience and security by using a code or fingerprint instead of a physical key, so that’s another option to consider as well. 

3. Alarm

If your alarm system isn’t reliable, you might as well not even have it. Or, it could be a factory model that could benefit from being upgraded. Either way, many alarm systems these days come with tracking powered by GPS, so you can know where your vehicle is at all times; especially handy if your vehicle ever ends up in the wrong hands.

4. Windows

Tinted windows are another upgrade that can enhance your vehicle’s security. Thieves don’t want to be seen putting their faces up on a vehicle to see inside it, so the more difficult you make it to see the interior of your vehicle, the less likely it will be broken into. It’s also more difficult to tell if the vehicle is locked or unlocked with tinted windows. Other benefits of tinted windows beyond just security are enhanced privacy, enhanced visibility on bright days and their ability to help your car’s interior stay cool under the sun.

5. Steering Wheel

Finally, you can upgrade your steering wheel to one that locks, or add a locking mechanism to your steering wheel that you can lock/activate whenever you park or are away from your vehicle. At the end of the day, the more deterrents you place in front of would-be criminals, the less likely they’ll be to target your specific car.

For additional auto security advice, contact the team at A-1 Locksmith today.

The modern vehicle is a marvel of technology, to be sure, but it still has a few areas where it’s defenseless. Here’s a locksmith’s perspective on reasons why your modern car might be vulnerable to criminals with bad intentions.

     1. Keys Fail

There are multiple types of auto keys – fobs, remotes, etc. – and all have the potential to break or fail. Batteries only last for so long and other issues can block the signal between your key and vehicle (which we’ll cover more below). The problem with many modern vehicles is they don’t have a backup/emergency key option in case the main key fails. When this happens, your vehicle is vulnerable to thieves, whether the car is running or not. (Also, looking for a backup key or attempting to enter your vehicle yourself can attract criminals, so be careful.)

     2. Technology Leads to Hackers

There never used to be a problem with email phishing scams before the invention of email. But now that it’s here, there are email-related security issues we have to deal with all of the time. The same goes for cars. Now that there is new technology being implemented, new criminal techniques are being adopted as well. The more technology your vehicle utilizes, the more opportunities hackers have to upload a virus, take control of the vehicle or get information.

     3. Signals Can Malfunction

As mentioned above, many key fobs or remotes communicate with your vehicle wirelessly. These transmissions or signals can get interrupted under the right conditions, such as computer interruptions, electronics failure or something physically getting in between the fob/remote and car. This is a bigger issue than you might think, as signal malfunctions can lead to disabled features and increased security risks.

     4. No Single Gatekeeper

One security risk many people don’t know about happens behind the scenes. You see, many modern vehicles utilize a variety of technologies. The problem? These are often separate technologies with different providers and were developed by different companies. As such, there’s no single gatekeeper in control to allow these technologies to communicate with each other seamlessly and enforce strict protocols. There’s no ideal solution for this area (other than interviewing the dealer or manufacturer of the vehicle to better understand the technology package), so just keep this area of automobile security in mind. 

If you’re interested in improving the security of your automobile, contact A-1 Locksmith today at (972) 284-7500 to go over your best options.

From a window that won’t roll up to a door handle that needs to be repaired, auto security issues can pop up at any time. Here are solutions for the most common ones.

1. Broken Lock

Your vehicle’s lock, handle and even door itself are all vulnerable to auto security issues. Your lock could break, either naturally, due to the weather or if you break off your key in the lock. The handle on your car can also fall off, or the door removed or damaged during a break-in. Regardless of the cause, a professional auto locksmith is likely your best bet here, as DIY car lock repairs can be hit or miss. 

2. Stuck Window

Window won’t roll up or down? This can leave your vehicle vulnerable to thieves, as your car is easily accessible when the windows aren’t secured properly. If the window won’t stay up, it could be as simple as replacing a part like the pivot bar or balance shoe. But if you’re not an expert and want to fix it quickly, a call to a locksmith is in order.

3. Lost Key

If your keys have been missing, damaged or stolen, you obviously can’t use them to get into your vehicle or start it. Losing a key in itself is a good excuse for having new keys made, as you don’t know who has access to your old keys. It’s a good idea to have a duplicate key made anyway, though, in case you lock your keys in your vehicle.

4. Malfunctioning Alarm

Your alarm is one of the components of your car most closely related to security. Your car alarm won’t do you any good if it won’t go off properly or is too sensitive. Solutions for this require expertise as well and can be as simple as replacing the battery, but can be as complex as repairing the wiring. Call an auto locksmith to fix this auto security issue, if you can.

5. Cyberattack

As technology increases and more and more vehicles adopt smart features, it increases the possibility of a cyberattack. Hackers can use WiFi access points and other technology to hack into your vehicle and steal sensitive information. This is a new area of concern for auto security, but you can do your part by regularly changing your password (both vehicle and WiFi), avoiding open WiFi connections in public and updating your vehicle software regularly.

If you’re experiencing auto security issues and are looking for solutions, give A-1 Locksmith a call today for a consultation—or stop by any of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations.

Don’t Leave Enticement in Plain Sight

Step one to avoiding damage to your vehicle is to not go out of your way to make it appealing to would-be thieves.  Laptops, phones, chargers and purses left on the seat in plain sight seem like easy pickings for a quick smash and grab or an extra bonus to someone looking for the best target in a parking lot.  Stash these items away in the trunk or under the seat and avoid setting yourself up for failure. Better yet, take your valuables with you.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Another easy way to protect your automobile is to be judicious in your selection of a parking space.  While that dark, unlit, narrow alley may seem like a convenient spot to park to avoid the mad mall rush, it’s probably not the best for automobile safety.  Well-lit and crowded areas will deter thieves who are leery of being caught in the act.  Walking a few more steps to your destination is not only good for your health, it can protect your call as well.

Engage That Security System

Many cars, late-model or not, have theft deterrence features built in. This may have been an afterthought in your review of the car in favor of your interest in the entertainment system, but your owner’s manual likely points to a vehicle security system.  So why is it, then, that most people are not aware of these features or choose not to engage them if they are?  Built-in security features differ by make and model, so please reference your owner’s manual for specifics. Whether you have a chip you can remove or an option on your key FOB, you’ll want to learn what it is and you’ll want to use it.

Know Where Your Vehicle Is at all Times

Speaking of security systems, why not take advantage of everything modern technology has to offer when it comes to protecting your vehicle.  GPS location is more common and affordable now than you might realize.  Know where your car is located in the event of a theft which can help the police locate the criminal and your property before it’s too late.

Active Security Solutions

Speaking of security, car security systems have come a long way from the days of obnoxious alarms that most people end up ignoring anyways.  Chip keys keep the engine from turning over unless the proper device is placed in the ignition.  Active security systems also disable the engine in the event of the alarm being tripped.  Others operate along the lines of home alarms and alert the appropriate authorities in the event they are triggered.

From preventative measure to proactive security solutions, car owners in need of security tips, guidance or systems should call A-1 Locksmith to discuss protecting their vehicular investment.  A few minutes and dollars spent up front can help avoid a big loss and can keep you on the road and on the go.