Anti-theft devices for cars, from the ones in the cheap categories of $12 to pretty mid-range around $50, have never stopped a serious thief from stealing your car, whether it is an automatic or a manual.

Watch this video to see what I’m getting at:

These tools that used to work just don’t work as well anymore.

As tech improves, thieves learn new ways to steal. Luckily, there are some new-age car anti-theft devices and technologies you can use to protect your vehicle.

Modern Anti-Theft Car Device Options

1. The Kill Switch
2. Car GPS Tracking devices
3. Geofencing Trackers
4. Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag
5. Live Cameras

1. Kill Switch

The Kill switch is a better option. It is a product that is wired to your vehicle system to cut out power when turned off. The only way your car will ever get to start is when you disable the switch. With the kill switch, it is difficult for people to know or tell what is wrong. That is because kill switches are concealed somewhere that is not so obvious. Just in case a car thief might want to look for a kill switch in the car, some people put two kill switches at different locations. Hence, it is a better and more cost-effective option than most of the hardware tools available on Amazon or any other online store.

Con

• If the kill switch ever dies or gets faulty, you would be unable to start your car until your technician comes around.

Check out this example on Amazon.

2. Car GPS Tracking Devices:

Some of the best options turn out to be using car tracking and monitoring systems or devices. They surely may not stop a thief from stealing your car, but they can help to identify the thief (using cameras), track your vehicle, and even a more sophisticated system can alert law enforcement agents, and ultimately lead to the catching of the thief.

New-generation cars mostly have tracking and monitoring systems that transmit live data to the servers of car companies or their partners. Hence, if the feature is allowed on your car, you may be able to retrieve your car data for search, investigation, and ultimately recovery.

An active car monitor is a better way to keep track of your car. It is even better if it offers a live feed to your phone or uploads it to a cloud server where you can access it and see the face of the person. You should understand that this is more secure and cost-effective than having someone jack your car without an anti-theft device and ultimately make away with it.

Depending on the product, an ideal car tracker will give you most or all of the following:

Real-time driving data with live locations, and the speed of the car, as well as when at rest. You can get all that information from an accompanying mobile application for your particular product. You can also get a street view or a satellite view. Depending on the device, your monitor can give live updates or refresh every 15 seconds, more, or less.

Some GPS monitoring devices have emergency modes where the signal pulses go farther and faster.

Cons

• The disadvantage of monitoring devices is that you do not get to see the face of a criminal or perpetrator. Hence, if a criminal can find the device, they might just be able to discard it almost immediately before moving the car.
• They may be prevented by GPS jammers

The best thing is to tell your technician to install it somewhere inconspicuous, and not just the OBD port.

Or integrate it with an important kick-start system.

Check out this car GPS tracker on Amazon as an example

3. Geofencing Trackers

A geofencing GPS tracker is a system that monitors your car with a GPS tracker but also allows you to set specific routes for your car to recognize as safe zones.

Geofencing is often used as a car surveillance system, especially if you have a specific route you follow. You turn it on and set it to identify a specific route or perimeter that you frequently follow. A user can always turn it off or allow access if they are going on a journey or somewhere out of their regular route.

Depending on the product, geofencing gadgets and trackers can control other systems and functions of a car, such as turning on location, limiting car speed, or shutting off the engine. The functions depend on the kind of products and car. Smart cars are more likely to use these advanced features than regular automatic (non-smart) cars.

If your car goes off your recognized route, you can get a notification on your phone or computer to be aware and take action. So, it is like setting a perimeter (by map route) for the tracker/system to identify as safe zones or not. It is commonly used by logistic companies to track their vehicles.

Check out some geofencing products here

What if someone takes my car?

The first step is to immediately alert local authorities or the police.

Secondly, by the time the car stops because of the geofence setting, before the criminal figures out what's happening, you should have been able to take action. Often, with GPS geofencing, you can set or monitor the speed of your vehicle, and the area of proximity.

So, once beyond the set areas or speed, the GPS monitor pushes an alarm notification. For some products and apps, an owner can share the live information to others, which would be a good feature to share with local police.

Cons:

• The frequency can be jammed.
• They can be expensive, depending on the products.

4. Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag as Alternatives to Car Anti-theft devices

These are grouped in the same category because they use almost the same concept and technology. These aren’t anti-theft devices but can be used as a tracker.

The Apple AirTag is a device that receives signals from Apple devices to buffer signals to a computer service.

The Samsung SmartTag is a device that receives and broadcasts signal pulses to a computing system relying on Samsung Android and Galaxy devices.

Both the AirTag and SmartTag use ultra-wideband technology, which is only useful for Apple and Samsung devices, respectively. They both detect and receive signals from respective company devices. However, while the AirTag can receive signals from any Apple product with network connections, the SmartTag only works with Samsung Android devices and Galaxy products (as of when this article was written).

Due to the popularity of Apple and Samsung products, these devices are good for tracking your car. Another beautiful thing is that they are really small and can be kept somewhere away from plain sight.

Having watched different test cases of the performance of both the AirTag and SmartTag, Samsung seems to be more accurate with its live updates.

Cons:

• They are not self-transmitting, but rely on the signals of other related products in the same ecosystem to work.
• In places with no network signal or reception, it is impossible to find them or your car.
• Of course, with a GPS frequency jammer, these devices, as well as a GPS tracker, would stop transmission. However, if you notice irregularities with the live updates or that the periodic refresh rate is not displaying a recent time on your Android monitor or computer, then you can go check your car.

Check out the products.

5. Live Cameras:

Whether a dash cam or a baby monitor, having a car camera is such a great security routine. Live cams are functional even when you are not in your car and can make it possible for you to see what's happening around your car 24/7.

Depending on the product and application you are using, some products allow users to set alarms, set geofencing perimeters, and monitor with GPS tracking compatibility. Some products on the market also allow for voice prompting.

Live cameras can capture the faces of unsuspecting thieves and even give an update on the environment, such as notable buildings, landmarks, etc.

Cons

• It may be expensive.
• Cameras can be easily detected, especially dashboard cams..
• They can be very pricey, between $40 and more than $500, with subscription fees.
• Cheap cameras may easily damage.

Final Thoughts

Hardware car anti-theft devices do not take long to be disabled

With approximately 850,000 car thefts in the United States annually and only a 46% recovery rate, you should take your car protection seriously. Outdated car anti-theft devices and locks might not be able to stop thieves who are interested in your car.

The times are hard, with things being expensive. Investing in more reliable tracking and monitoring mechanisms may help with recovery. The conspicuous ones may hint at or ward off some thieves, but the unnoticeable ones may just increase your chances of recovery or having your car stolen. Options like the kill switch and geofencing can limit criminals. If you can afford the multiple options presented here, that's even better. Stay safe.

Oh...

And one last thing before I go: Check out how to recover your keys from your car, just in case you accidentally locked them in.