The Role Ghost Immobilisers Have in Anti-theft Protection

The ghost immobiliser is one of the most recent developments in the field of car theft prevention. These devices can prevent thieves from driving your car, even if they are able to gain access. Whilst this is a revolutionary advance in technology for vehicle security, there are still many people who are unsure what they are or how they work. 

In this article, we will look at what a ghost immobiliser is and explore the benefits that they offer that make them a very good choice for anti-theft protection. 

What is a ghost immobiliser?

The ghost immobiliser is considered to be the next level when it comes to vehicle security. It is the first aftermarket CAN bus immobiliser. The immobiliser is a small electronic device that can be installed on your vehicle and then connected to your onboard Controller Area Network (CAN) to help prevent theft. 

It is a relatively small device and helps to protect any vehicle from car theft as a result of key theft or key cloning. This is because it makes starting a vehicle impossible without using a set password. Because ghost immobilisers can be connected to your CAN they can disable your car until you are able to input the individual password. The result is that a vehicle with this type of immobiliser fitted is almost impossible to steal. 

What does it protect against?

There are a number of different theft techniques that the ghost immobiliser can help to protect against. These include:

• Key theft – There are no key fobs or LED indications with a ghost immobiliser, which means that it is much harder for thieves to find it
• Key cloning –  The immobiliser prevents would-be thieves from cloning your keys. It also stops them replacing the ECU in order to override the security. 
• Relay attacks – It also has the ability to block signals from relay devices that are used in relay attacks. This prevents the electronics in a vehicle from receiving them. 

Some ghost immobilisers also have the capability to shut down other components on your vehicle such as the starter motor or the fuel system and they can activate the alarm on the car should an incorrect code be entered by someone not intended to drive your vehicle. 

What are the benefits of a ghost immobiliser?

As with many of the other devices, such as GPS locators, that can be fitted to your vehicle, a ghost immobiliser is small and easy to install. It is fitted inside the vehicle and usually near to the Engine Control Unit which is found in the engine bay. It offers several benefits, all of which add up when it comes to making things incredibly difficult for thieves. These include:

• Unique passcodes – They offer the ability to use the inputs in your car (buttons on dashboard, indicator stalk) to create a unique passcode that is almost impossible for a thief to break
• Undetectable – Wired into the onboard electronics of your car a ghost immobiliser can be undetectable to conventional diagnostics, and it also cannot be hacked or cloned
• Smartphone app link – The Auto Watch Ghost Immobiliser has a companion app on smartphone devices. This allows you to disarm the immobiliser easily by using the paired device. 
• Silent operation – Invisible from both the interior and exterior of the vehicle and silent, the ghost immobiliser is difficult to locate or disable
• Valet / service mode – It is possible to temporarily disable the immobiliser for someone to valet or service the car without the need to give them the passcode

With so many benefits it is easy to see why the ghost immobiliser is as popular as it is and how effective it can be as anti-theft protection for your vehicle.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.