From locking the doors to parking in well-lit areas, here are some general best practices for keeping your car safe in Dallas.

Lock Doors and Windows

Back to basics! Get into the habit of locking all doors and windows whenever you’re out and about in Dallas (or at home, for that matter). Folks from smaller towns might be used to lower crime and not having to worry about their vehicles, but in large metropolitan areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, making a mistake here can have consequences.

Ditch the Spare Key

Thanks to modern technology, you don’t have to rely on your spare key in situations when you’ve lost your key or locked it in the car. Key fobs are rising in popularity these days, as many of them won’t let your vehicle lock while the key is inside. There are also digital and combination entry methods available, but the fact is, a spare key is a liability to your vehicle’s security.

Park in Well-Lit Areas

Traffic may not be popular in North Texas, but it’s a good thing when it comes to parking your vehicle. When you park in an area with proper lighting and regular foot or automobile traffic, it decreases your chances of being a victim. Thieves don’t like being seen!

Invest in Automobile Security Upgrades

Alarms and other anti-theft devices can be a smart upgrade if you work or live in an area of Dallas with higher crime. Or, if you’ve experienced your fair share of automobile security issues, this can save you some headaches down the road. A professional auto locksmith can give you recommendations to secure your specific vehicle. 

Stay Vigilant

At the end of the day, the best thing you can do when it comes to vehicle safety is stay defensive. This applies to when you’re driving, but also applies to where you park, what you leave in your car and how you treat others on the road. Stay vigilant when it comes to your automobile and you’ll avoid many security problems that others experience.

For the best auto locksmith in Dallas, trust A-1 Locksmith. Contact us for a quote today!

A Host of Vulnerabilities

According to researchers at the University of Washington and UC San Diego, hacking a sophisticated onboard computer system in your car is much easier than you think.  Modern computer systems are designed to tell drivers, mechanics and even the U.S. Government (helllooo big brother) minute details about your car’s performance, maintenance history and emissions.  On the outside, this kind of technology makes for an efficient driver experience and nearly flawless operation as various systems communicate and interact to make driving your car more engaging, effortless and entertaining than ever before.

What this interconnectedness also does, however, is create multiple entry areas for those looking to exploit security loopholes.  Multiple systems communicating, researchers say, creates multiple areas where differing software platforms may not mesh properly.  This creates security loopholes and access points for the criminally minded and tech savvy.

Just What’s at Risk

But just what are the implications of these loopholes on your daily driving experience?  As an example, your car’s OBD port, a little electronic connection required for emissions and diagnostic testing, can be used by someone with sophisticated computer networking knowledge to turn on your car, engage or disengage locks and, ultimate, make off with your vehicular asset.  In one lab experiment, researchers were even able to wirelessly connect to a vehicles onboard computer system and take control of vital safety and mechanical operations.  Scary stuff, and we haven’t even begun talking about the whole autonomous car bit yet.

So, Technology is Bad, Right?

While your first inclination after reading all this gloom and doom about technology may be to make a quick trip to the junk yard for that old 1960’s Chevy, rust-laden or not, it turns out that these vulnerabilities can be corrected with the right knowledge and expertise.  After learning of some of the most common security exploits, many car manufacturers took it upon themselves to plug up the loopholes, albeit a few years after they were originally discovered.

The good news is that the everyday driver (that’s you) has other options when it comes to ensuring the safety and security of their vehicle.  Experienced security and locksmith experts, such as those at A-1 Locksmith, have the industry and technological knowledge to assess your individual vehicle needs and recommend and install a security system that locks down known hacker access points.  A-1’s experienced security staff has a wide range of experience in the corporate and private consumer world.  To rest easier and find out if your car is as protected as it should be, call A-1 to discuss an automobile security system that won’t leave you vulnerable to a bored computer genius residing in their parent’s basement.  A-1 Locksmith has everything you need to ensure your vehicular peace of mind.