security compromise methods

Can you list your top 5 reasons how security systems are defeated?

Being a non-professional, I can see the following ways.

• gain entry, pop hood, clip siren (30 seconds)
• gain entry, pop hood, disconnect battery (30 seconds) - go at system at leisure
• gain entry, find and disable alarm CPU

They range the gamut, from flatbeding the car away, to a professional tow scam.  But, I'm interesting in hardening the most vunerable alarm areas.

Suggestions and anecdotes welcome!

Thanks,

most system don't have a battery back up, so all you have to do is clip the 12V power wire to the alarm brain. (its the RED one)  so if you are worried about it I would put the brain somewhere other than under the steering wheel, and get your constant power somewhere else as well. 

You might what to do an alarm with a two pager so that way you are alerted when your alarm goes off. (as long as you are in range)

I understand what you are trying to accomplish. But keep in mind that all you are doing with an alarm is keeping people honest. there isn't an alarm on the planet that is impossible to bypass, and there isn't a thing in the world that you can do to avoid losing your car to a thief 100%. That being said, Like Daz said, a 2 way pager alarm will alert you when your alarm goes off, or a sensor is triggered. (usually 1/4 mile max) there are glass sensors so even is the thief breaking the window doens't trip the main motion sensor, you have one directly on the window that will set off the alarm if they are broken.

as to making it more difficult if the thief manages to gain entry to the car; well, there are starter interupts, Like connected to the starter, fuel filter, etc. You can have as many of those as you like, or have the time to put in and hide. There should be one wired through the alarm itself, but depending on your needs that might not be enough. Mounting the siren, brain unit and all other alarm related options, (back-up battery etc.) try to mount them in the most pain in the ass places for you to install them, cause if it's a bitch for you to get at it, and you know where it is, it will be that much more difficult for a thief that has to find it. Relocating the hood release cable under the drivers seat or the glove box / console would slow down the thief as he would have to search for the hood release before he could cut the alarm.

Just remember that if the thief wants you car badly enough, he will get it. 10 times out of 10. take care when advertising what you have added to your car, (strereo's video monitors etc.) and park in the best spots wherever possible in lots of light and close to where you will be. Other than that having a horseshoe up your A** would help ;)

regards, The Saint

Very good advice all.  I've somewhat developed a psycological profile of car theives.  "Take their stuff.  DON'T get caught - at least by the owner."  When you park your car, put it with the driver's door facing hour house.  You see a door, they see an escape route.  The street side is easy.  You're 10 paces ahead of him even if he catches you red-handed.  If you're under 30 and in good shape, you've got better than even odds even in the worst scenario.

I will concede that a their can "physically" get an car where no monitoring is possible.  But, unless they're very, very good with cars, I can't see a their having my car start (the hypothetical one with all the layered security items - not the car I'm currently doing - wife's) with it's own starter and run.

When you do a "damn good install", how confident are you that you're safer than 99.9% of the cars out there?  On your personal vehicles, do you do additional things?

There are two kinds of thief..

1)  wants to take you car go joyriding, rob a back or whatever..  if you have a decen't alarm. they will as soon got for a car 100 yards up the road that doesn't have an alarm..

2)  This is the dangerous kind. becuase he wants your car. More than likely becuase its a top marque or because you've got a €10000 Audio Visual install..

The 2nd kind is an educated theif more than likely and will go to no end to get your car all you can do is draw attention and make it as hard as possible

johnbauer wrote:

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• gain entry, pop hood, clip siren (30 seconds)


• gain entry, pop hood, disconnect battery (30 seconds) - go at system at leisure


• gain entry, find and disable alarm CPU

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• gain entry, pop hood, clip siren (5 seconds)


• gain entry, pop hood, disconnect battery (5 seconds) - go at system at leisure


• gain entry, find and disable alarm CPU (wouldn't bother because the other options

I would say so.

the break-in/car thefts we are seeing are very, very unskilled.

broken glass and screwdriver in ignition switch on a '94 Caravan stolen 3 times...no alarm at all.  no tools stolen, just taken for a joyride...but the steering column will cost some money to replace.

pryed door handle and left side of GM suburban steering column peeled and the theives just drove off with the truck and then took out everthing with their slow time in a dark alley/garage...no alarm at all....but fortunately since the theives had time, no harm real harm was done to the truck other than the screwdriver marks on the passenger door.

one guy with alarm and interior siren behind back seats of '92 blazer had his driver door's lock peeled, hood popped, underhood siren clipped, then interior siren clipped.  theives were obviously in the car, but they stole nothing...i guess i also like tying in the alarm into the OEM horn b/c those are a bit hareder to clip...(although i've seen the horn wires clipped on a '92 firebird when i was installing an alarm on it.)  the thieves of this '92 blazer didn't take anything...perhaps b/c of that big ass 6 cuft box for the 18" JL W3 subs we built for the dude and the inability to gain access to the rear hatch area b/c I inadvertantly broke the latch on the back glass/door.  his amps were screwed to the box, but perhaps the thieves got spooked and didn't even have time to unscrew the amps from the box.

unfortunately, we're seeing a ton break-ins and attempted car theft altogether on our side of town.  another resident next to our shop had his early '90s buick broken into, but the OEM VATS system prevented that car from starting when the theives tried the left side steering column peel trick.