Car thieves have been around forever, and used to just smash out a window to steal vehicles of choice. Unfortunately, they have been able to up their game recently and have gone high-tech. It’s not just cars that criminals are after, but also the valuables left inside. That’s why any time we have something of value with us, we hide it under the seat when we run errands.

Sadly, that simple technique no longer works. If you have electronics in your car, thieves can track them. A new phenomenon has made its way to car theft. Instead of randomly breaking into a car, hoping it has expensive laptops, tablets, or smartphones hiding in them, they are using Bluetooth scanners to remove the guesswork. Here’s how it works: Most devices are constantly sending Bluetooth signals so they can potentially pair with other devices. There are now Bluetooth scanning apps that make these signals easier to find.

Merritt Baer, a Security Architect with Amazon Web Services, recently shared an unfortunate situation like this on Twitter. “Colleagues had a car broken into and laptops stolen in downtown Mountain View last night while we were at dinner. We wondered how they knew to break into the hatchback when it is not see-through. They turn on Bluetooth scanners and follow the beacon to find electronics.”

You don’t have to be a victim. Here are a few simple ways to avoid falling victim:

Be on guard. Thieves are clever and are always on the prowl. Plan ahead. If you will be away from your car, don’t take a bunch of tech gear with you. Close vulnerabilities. Turn off Bluetooth or put your device in airplane mode

Possible Preaching Angles:

The same is true in our spiritual life. We are always being examined for vulnerabilities by our enemy and much more can be lost than tech gear. 1) Be on guard. Satan is always prowling looking for an opportunity to harm us (Eph. 4:27; 1 Pet. 5:8). 2) Be on the defensive. Protect yourself by using the security measures God has provided for you (Matt 4:4; Gal. 5:16; Eph. 6:11; Eph. 6:17).

Source:

Mark Jones, “Electronics Hidden in Your Car Aren’t Safe from Thieves, Even If You Hide Them,” Komando.com (11-25-19)