Security!

[focusdriver]

So some scumbags have nicked my Focus 16 plate from my driveway, at the back of my house.  We got in at 3:30pm, and we think it was taken soon after, though we don't know for sure.  We didn't realise till the next morning.  No-one heard anything and there was nothing left so I think it was a key repeater theft.

I don't really want to change to a different manufacturer so will be getting another Focus (probably 20 plate), and want to ensure it doesn't happen again.

I read that Ford released an updated key fob in 2019 (link) and I'm hoping that these are harder to copy/replicate.  Has anyone got experience or comments about how secure they are?

The next thing is additional items to secure my car.  I'm thinking:
* Stoplock Pro Amazon
* Signal Blocking Pouch Amazon

The car will be parked outside a garage, and the garage is alarmed (internal sensor).  I'm speaking to the guy who fitted the alarm whether he can add a sensor which will fit in the car somewhere and trigger the house alarm.

I don't think a camera will be much of a deterrent, though I may put a light at the back which is permanently switched on.  Not sure if a tracker is worth the cost?

Any other ideas would be gratefully considered. 🙂

[karlbbb]

Thanks for the link, was curious to see if the well publicised issue was ever addressed. Mine's a 2017 build so can't get the upgrade. I'm basically just using the keyfob pouches and hoping for the best.

[ianincheshire]

Quote

I read that Ford released an updated key fob in 2019 (link) and I'm hoping that these are harder to copy/replicate.  Has anyone got experience or comments about how secure they are?

I'm not sure about copying but AIUI the new keys 'shutdown' if they are not moved for 40 seconds. So when you get home and leave the key on the table (or wherever) , then after 40 seconds the key will not respond to any 'relay attack' attempt.

On the Mk4 you can also disable keyless entry quite easily from the menu. I tend to do that when I park on my drive. I don't have the latest key fobs, mine was built before they came out!.

 

[StephenFord]

I've said this before, but maybe worth repeating. I'm a child of the 60s brought up on the original series of Star Trek. All criminals on the Enterprise were locked up in the brig using a 'force field'. Of course, they always escaped by tampering with the control panel. Even at that tender age, I always thought, why don't they just puts some bars on with a big padlock!

If you want to protect your car, get a DiskLok...

 

 

[F0CUE]

Or you can fork out on this https://ghostinstallations.co.uk

[StephenFord]

I have a real pet hate of web sites touting for money that can't write a coherent script!

"... which enables you to disarm the car without having the enter your PIN..."

[focusdriver]

52 minutes ago, karlbbb said:

Thanks for the link, was curious to see if the well publicised issue was ever addressed. Mine's a 2017 build so can't get the upgrade. I'm basically just using the keyfob pouches and hoping for the best.

I missed the bit about only available for cars before March 2018..

I'm not sure about the reliability of keyfob pouches - they range from £5 for 2 to £28 each, and pretty much look the same.  Which one do you use?

[focusdriver]

47 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

I've said this before, but maybe worth repeating. I'm a child of the 60s brought up on the original series of Star Trek. All criminals on the Enterprise were locked up in the brig using a 'force field'. Of course, they always escaped by tampering with the control panel. Even at that tender age, I always thought, why don't they just puts some bars on with a big padlock!

If you want to protect your car, get a DiskLok...

 

 

I've read that these are the best steering lock to get, but aren't as convenient to use day in day out.  So I went with the 2nd best.

[focusdriver]

16 minutes ago, F0CUE said:

Or you can fork out on this https://ghostinstallations.co.uk

Are these actually worth the money though, and are they a good deterrent.  £450 isn't a small amount of money, but I'd consider paying it if keeps the crims away.

[focusdriver]

15 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

I have a real pet hate of web sites touting for money that can't write a coherent script!

"... which enables you to disarm the car without having the enter your PIN..."

Yes! Especially on the main/home page of their website 

[focusdriver]

Do you think it would be useful to move this post to the General section as it's not really specific to Focuses?  (I'm not sure how to do it though)

[StephenFord]

4 minutes ago, focusdriver said:

Do you think it would be useful to move this post to the General section as it's not really specific to Focuses?  (I'm not sure how to do it though)

You can't. If a mod deems it necessary, they'll do it...

[Stoney871]

Nah, post is fine here.

[Mark-UK]

I use a pouch, and they certainly work and cheap, even cheaper is putting the keys in a tin box with lid on.

Not bothered before due to the 30 seconds hassle on putting  it on an off everyday,but now in lockdown so only using the car maybe once a week or fortnight, I'll dig the old crooklock out the garage tomorrow.

[Guy Heaton]

I've got a Faraday box for all the keys, it was cheap on eBay.

It always makes me laugh that "progress" has made us buy 80s krookloks again.

[Alex.S]

Used to be youngsters would steal cars to joyride. I don’t think that’s the case so much these days. More often high value cars put in containers to Nigeria. Sounds like they’ve taken it just cause key fob repeater theft is easy. Of all the extras , it’s one I don’t want or need. As standard on the Vignale I’d imagine. Just need to remember and put your keys in the microwave every night. 

[StephenFord]

4 minutes ago, Alex.S said:

. Just need to remember and put your keys in the microwave every night. 

mmm... 2 minutes on an 800W max should cook them nicely... 😂

[focusdriver]

So I thought I'd get a sensor alarm so that if the car was moved or if the sensor was trigger it would set off a siren.

I can only find cheap ones (£15) Amazon or expensive ones (£400) Ghost with nothing inbetween.

I'm happy to pay £50-£100 for a decent quality device, (ideally rechargeable but AA batteries is OK) which won't break in a few weeks time.  
Has anyone heard of or use such a device?

[StephenFord]

21 hours ago, focusdriver said:

So I thought I'd get a sensor alarm so that if the car was moved or if the sensor was trigger it would set off a siren.

 

Well, that's a real eye opener to me!! Every car I've had for the last 40 years (apart from current Focus) I have always had a Thacham Cat1 alarm fitted to it. On a quick 'google', that market seems to have virtually disappeared! Every auto electrician use to specialise in a brand of alarm, but that all seems to have gone away. I guess that people now think that cars now come with something so sophisticated, that fitting a 'car alarm' is now redundant! Shame that...

[Alex.S]

Sure Thru the 90s insurance was cheaper if you had an immobiliser and alarm , all built in these days. Then a spell of breaking into houses to find car keys , now using computers. Old fashioned steering locks were/are pretty secure ! And cheap. Just a pain having to put on and remove. 

[Phil3747]

On 1/6/2021 at 10:17 PM, focusdriver said:

So I thought I'd get a sensor alarm so that if the car was moved or if the sensor was trigger it would set off a siren.

I can only find cheap ones (£15) Amazon or expensive ones (£400) Ghost with nothing inbetween.

I'm happy to pay £50-£100 for a decent quality device, (ideally rechargeable but AA batteries is OK) which won't break in a few weeks time.  
Has anyone heard of or use such a device?

A few years ago I wired up an audible siren to a security light on the back of our house so if anyone went around the back during the night it began sounding. One night at around 3am I heard it activate and then heard the sound of footsteps running up our drive. I jumped out of bed and looked out of the window to see 2 undesirables legging it off around the corner so phoned the police. Approximately 10 minutes later they caught the 2 scumbags coming out of one of our elderly neighbour's houses. Result. 👍

(Obviously cats/birds could be an issue as you don't want it going off every 5 minutes and upsetting the neighbours, so the activating security light with p.i.r would have to be situated appropriately)

 

[focusdriver]

1 hour ago, Phil3747 said:

A few years ago I wired up an audible siren to a security light on the back of our house so if anyone went around the back during the night it began sounding. One night at around 3am I heard it activate and then heard the sound of footsteps running up our drive. I jumped out of bed and looked out of the window to see 2 undesirables legging it off around the corner so phoned the police. Approximately 10 minutes later they caught the 2 scumbags coming out of one of our elderly neighbour's houses. Result. 👍

(Obviously cats/birds could be an issue as you don't want it going off every 5 minutes and upsetting the neighbours, so the activating security light with p.i.r would have to be situated appropriately)

 

It seems there are these manual way of doing a siren when there must be a market for a device which you put in the car somewhere (maybe connected to your wifi), and any movement will set off a siren, and alert your phone.. I'm sure it must be out there somewhere but I can't find it.

[Carl123]

One of these may be useful

Car Tracker & Mobile Alert System

[Phil3747]

That looks okay but doesn't stop the car being stolen in the first place and "tracker jammers" are quite common amongst the car-stealing fraternity these days 🤬

[Mark-UK]

To me that looks like what the free fordpass app does. I know when the glass was broken and the alarm went off on my Focus, the app altered me, maybe ok for older cars without the ford app..