Anti theft - ramble - discussion / suggestions?

[chl]

1, yes
2, probably
3, dependent on the objective of the thief
4, haven't seen one in forever
5, sure, but then the truck wouldn't respond
6, faraday cage
7, theoretically possible with a flipper zero

3. Well all the parts are worth stealing, seems to happen a lot in some areas, esp. rear/tail lights and even tailgates.
5. The FOB signals are already encrypted...however...they still have...

Common vulnerabilities

• Replay attacks: Thieves can record the signal from a single use and "replay" it to the car later to gain access.
• Relay attacks: A more sophisticated method where a thief uses a device to capture the signal from the fob, even if it is in the owner's pocket, and another device near the car to "relay" the signal, tricking the car into thinking the fob is right next to it.
• Weak encryption: Some older or less sophisticated systems may have encryption that can be broken with enough effort or specific tools

6. An inexpensive solution is aluminum foil folded into a pouch to put the FOB in - yes works just as well as a fancy dancy pricey commercial Faraday cage...

I use it in all my hats to keep the brain police from reading my mind or giving me a brain tumor! (not really but thought about it, lol)

See also:

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[Texdan]

3. Well all the parts are worth stealing, seems to happen a lot in some areas, esp. rear/tail lights and even tailgates.
5. The FOB signals are already encrypted...however...they still have...

Common vulnerabilities

• Replay attacks: Thieves can record the signal from a single use and "replay" it to the car later to gain access.
• Relay attacks: A more sophisticated method where a thief uses a device to capture the signal from the fob, even if it is in the owner's pocket, and another device near the car to "relay" the signal, tricking the car into thinking the fob is right next to it.
• Weak encryption: Some older or less sophisticated systems may have encryption that can be broken with enough effort or specific tools

6. An inexpensive solution is aluminum foil folded into a pouch to put the FOB in - yes works just as well as a fancy dancy pricey commercial Faraday cage...

I use it in all my hats to keep the brain police from reading my mind or giving me a brain tumor! (not really but thought about it, lol)

See also:
[/QUOTE
All the responses about shielding the FOB do not address the issue of when the FOB is given to a dealer or repair technician: I get it - we can do a "cage" to prevent theft of the FOB electronics, but that does not address giving the FOB to a repair man - whats the solution for the FOB in anonymous' hands???.

 

[chl]

Trust your dealer?

Valet key for others.

 

[Maquis]

The reset function needs to be password protected! I saw some info indicating that Ford was going to do this on the 2024 or 2025s, but I don’t think it came to fruition - unless it’s on the upper trims and I’m unaware.

That would be helpful, but that still won’t stop them from turning off connectivity.

 

[Texdan]

Trust your dealer?

Valet key for others.

Not a desler issue: this was a glass company replacement company

 

[chl]

Not a desler issue: this was a glass company replacement company

Right.
Sometimes people like that are bonded, although even if, that is no guaranty.

Often, the window glass companies get business and make money because of thieves breaking windows to get in.

Ford now has a stolen vehicle service for ICE F-150 2024 model years and up - haven't heard about it being available for Lightnings though. The F-150 is the most stolen truck in America apparently.

https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/ford-app/ford-app-supported-features/stolen-vehicle-services/

There are still steering wheel locks you could buy:





The FOB aluminum pouch is always a good idea - been doing that myself for many years with all our vehicles that use FOBs.

But really, if your truck is targeted by a determined thief or theft ring, there is probably nothing that would stop them. If they don't drive off with it, they'll steal the tail lights or tailgate in under 60 seconds in broad daylight, unless you have installed one of the protective means available.

I have hard wired home security cameras all around my house, with three of them that would catch any tampering with my truck in the driveway. My neighbor across the street does as well.
I have signs up to warn any potential thief of the cameras and warn them off. No Trespassing signs so if anyone comes on my property I don't want, there can be legal action taken.

Also have motion activated spot lights.

The thefts around our area have mostly been teenagers getting into to unlocked cars and staling things...but one neighbor's vehicle did get taken because the mom left the keys in the car one hectic day and it disappeared overnight.

I heard about someone who used their tow hitch locked and anchored to a steel pole sunk in the ground with concrete. Never got stolen as far as I know.

But there is only so much you can do. It is even worse with motorcycles some places. There was a Harley I heard about, in a locked garage and chained to the floor and it still got stolen somehow.

Good luck.

 

[chriserx]

3. Well all the parts are worth stealing, seems to happen a lot in some areas, esp. rear/tail lights and even tailgates.
5. The FOB signals are already encrypted...however...they still have...

Common vulnerabilities

• Replay attacks: Thieves can record the signal from a single use and "replay" it to the car later to gain access.
• Relay attacks: A more sophisticated method where a thief uses a device to capture the signal from the fob, even if it is in the owner's pocket, and another device near the car to "relay" the signal, tricking the car into thinking the fob is right next to it.
• Weak encryption: Some older or less sophisticated systems may have encryption that can be broken with enough effort or specific tools

6. An inexpensive solution is aluminum foil folded into a pouch to put the FOB in - yes works just as well as a fancy dancy pricey commercial Faraday cage...

I use it in all my hats to keep the brain police from reading my mind or giving me a brain tumor! (not really but thought about it, lol)

See also:

3) Yeah, thats why I said it depends on the objective of the thief, are they shipping it overseas, parting it out, melting it down, out for a joyride, etc?
5) I assumed he meant an additional layer of encryption on the FOB side and exactly why I mentioned the flipper, it nearly trivializes such attacks.
6) An aluminum foil envelope is a highly effective faraday cage

Errata) Ironically enough, a tin foil hat might not protect you from a sufficiently powerful infrared remote control...Think about that
jic that was my terrible attempt at promoting conspiracies

 

[Kansan]

That would be helpful, but that still won’t stop them from turning off connectivity.

Maybe that should be password protected too.

 

[RickLightning]

When I see some of these answers I wonder about the areas that some people choose to love. I cannot imagine worrying about putting my truck in valet mode all the time, or making 4 keys so a tech cannot make one.

Once we had our minivan change stolen while at a dealership. Since I knew exactly how much change was in it, dealership handed me money AND a dinner. Then they set a trap for the valet and fired him.

In our neighborhood some years back, cars were getting "broken into". Morons didn't lock them, left purses, laptops, etc. in plain view. That's not "broken into". Arrests were made.

Neighbor always left garage door open and house unlocked. Sheriff pulled in driveway one day, and walked into house via unlocked door. Neighbor stopped doing that...

Yes, thefts happen. No, the F-150 is NOT the most stolen pickup truck, but if itaa was it would be because it is also the top seller...

https://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/new-report-shows-full-size-trucks-have-highest-theft-rate

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/1...-the-most-stolen-vehicles-in-the-u-s-in-2025/

 

[chl]

3) Yeah, thats why I said it depends on the objective of the thief, are they shipping it overseas, parting it out, melting it down, out for a joyride, etc?
5) I assumed he meant an additional layer of encryption on the FOB side and exactly why I mentioned the flipper, it nearly trivializes such attacks.
6) An aluminum foil envelope is a highly effective faraday cage

Errata) Ironically enough, a tin foil hat might not protect you from a sufficiently powerful infrared remote control...Think about that
jic that was my terrible attempt at promoting conspiracies

In my experience looking for parts for old cars, the whole isn't worth the sum of its parts - which is why chop shops exist.

Errata: Yes, the dreaded Infra Red, she's not an optical illusion, she's a red-hot, red-headed destroyer who'll burn you with one look when she's revved up!

But, on reflection, like vampires, some mirrors offer protection - yes, they are called "hot mirrors!"

 

[chl]

When I see some of these answers I wonder about the areas that some people choose to love. I cannot imagine worrying about putting my truck in valet mode all the time, or making 4 keys so a tech cannot make one.

Once we had our minivan change stolen while at a dealership. Since I knew exactly how much change was in it, dealership handed me money AND a dinner. Then they set a trap for the valet and fired him.

In our neighborhood some years back, cars were getting "broken into". Morons didn't lock them, left purses, laptops, etc. in plain view. That's not "broken into". Arrests were made.

Neighbor always left garage door open and house unlocked. Sheriff pulled in driveway one day, and walked into house via unlocked door. Neighbor stopped doing that...

Yes, thefts happen. No, the F-150 is NOT the most stolen pickup truck, but if itaa was it would be because it is also the top seller...

https://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/new-report-shows-full-size-trucks-have-highest-theft-rate

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/1...-the-most-stolen-vehicles-in-the-u-s-in-2025/

Opinions vary about the most stolen vehicle in America and it varies from year to year between the Silverado and the F-150 apparently...not the EV versions, the ICE versions.

For 2025, so far, it's the Siverado 1500 according to GM anyway.

But since the F-150 is the best selling truck in the US, it is often the most targeted for theft - not the Lightning, the ICE version, but both are targets for theft of parts like the tail lights.

It matters not where you live, like bank robbers, thieves will go where the money is.

I put up my security cameras and lights because of pesky critters getting into my pond and tearing up the filter box, and chewing at my soffits to try to get into my roof - omg raccoons!


Why the F-150 is a common theft target

• High sales volume: As one of the most popular vehicles on the road, there are many more F-150s available to be stolen compared to less common models.
• Popularity with thieves: Its popularity also makes it a target for theft, including the theft of high-value parts like catalytic converters and tail lights.
• High ground clearance: The F-150's high ground clearance makes it an easy target for catalytic converter theft because thieves can access them quickly.
• Value of parts: Thieves can sell the parts, such as tail lights, on the black market for a profit

 

[bc1]

For K6CCC. How do you turn off the beeper on the apple car tag? Just wondering what that does but I assume it doesn't tell them the beeper is in there. I have one stuck inside the dash of my new tractor at the farm. Guess I need some for the vehicles. I put that one in about 3 years ago and I don't know how long the batteries last.

For Kansan. Have you heard of the stolen taillight problem around KC? Just bot mine from Blue Springs Ford and didn't hear of it until a trip to San Antonio and was informed by the hotel valet parking attendant because they took ford pickups to a downtown building for secured storage and it would take an extra half hour if I needed it. I googled it down there and found it was a big problem down there. When I mentioned to people around here in central KS they have never heard of it.

I've been reading about the Faraday bags. I see a problem with needed or making a faraday box by the front door and something for the wife's purse. We get some sketchy people going door to door selling and offering sketchy services that I could see someone stealing codes. Around here everybody has a pickup parked in the driveway or on the street.

My final order of button security screws came in from Amazon today. Hope to have the tail gate secure. 1/4" button security screws in The tail lights with 10 wraps of teflon tape since they fit a little small. Cover plates over the tail light screws so the heads can't be knocked off with a hammer and chisel. Cover plates over the tail gate latches. M6 x 15 mm button Security screw in the tailgate pivot point hinge. Eight M10 x 25 mm button Security screws for the tail gate mounting screws so they can't unbolt the whole tail gate with a 10mm socket or hammer and chisel. Button security screws in the work surface cover over the back of the tail gate. Finally I got some of those security nuts for the handle with camera that is accessible through the step bumper.

Thanks

 

[chriserx]

For K6CCC. How do you turn off the beeper on the apple car tag? Just wondering what that does but I assume it doesn't tell them the beeper is in there. I have one stuck inside the dash of my new tractor at the farm. Guess I need some for the vehicles. I put that one in about 3 years ago and I don't know how long the batteries last.

For Kansan. Have you heard of the stolen taillight problem around KC? Just bot mine from Blue Springs Ford and didn't hear of it until a trip to San Antonio and was informed by the hotel valet parking attendant because they took ford pickups to a downtown building for secured storage and it would take an extra half hour if I needed it. I googled it down there and found it was a big problem down there. When I mentioned to people around here in central KS they have never heard of it.

I've been reading about the Faraday bags. I see a problem with needed or making a faraday box by the front door and something for the wife's purse. We get some sketchy people going door to door selling and offering sketchy services that I could see someone stealing codes. Around here everybody has a pickup parked in the driveway or on the street.

My final order of button security screws came in from Amazon today. Hope to have the tail gate secure. 1/4" button security screws in The tail lights with 10 wraps of teflon tape since they fit a little small. Cover plates over the tail light screws so the heads can't be knocked off with a hammer and chisel. Cover plates over the tail gate latches. M6 x 15 mm button Security screw in the tailgate pivot point hinge. Eight M10 x 25 mm button Security screws for the tail gate mounting screws so they can't unbolt the whole tail gate with a 10mm socket or hammer and chisel. Button security screws in the work surface cover over the back of the tail gate. Finally I got some of those security nuts for the handle with camera that is accessible through the step bumper.

Thanks

I'm sure he disassembled and physically damaged the speaker. The battery lasts almost exactly 1 year in an airtag ymmv but it shouldn't be by much. I lived in KC over 20 years ago and to this day the craziest shit I've seen was walking near riverside, I come across a street, and every single vehicle on the street had their wheels stolen and were up on blocks. Not sure what you're asking about the faraday box/bag but don't put your airtag in it if you want it to work

 

[K6CCC]

How do you turn off the beeper on the apple car tag?

Google it for the procedure. Multiple videos with instructions. Essentially you open it up and remove the speaker. Not hard to do.
Note that doing so is not just to make it hard for someone to find your AirTag, the beeping can be really annoying. For example, I have one in my laptop bag. Every time I move the bag, the damn beeper goes off...

 

[chriserx]

Google it for the procedure. Multiple videos with instructions. Essentially you open it up and remove the speaker. Not hard to do.
Note that doing so is not just to make it hard for someone to find your AirTag, the beeping can be really annoying. For example, I have one in my laptop bag. Every time I move the bag, the damn beeper goes off...

It's just trying to tell you that it missed you!

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