No Entry for Hijackers: Best Car Protection Methods in 2025

Despite the widespread urban cameras and traffic monitoring video systems, car thefts continue to occur. Criminals still hunt for both passenger cars - especially mass-market models that are profitable to disassemble for parts - and commercial vehicles. To make the task as difficult as possible for attackers, the car needs comprehensive protection.

Below, we will analyze mechanical and electronic ways to prevent theft.

Mechanical Protection Methods

Mechanical anti-theft devices include various devices designed to physically block important components of the car. As a result, the car is either completely immobilized or requires too long manipulations to steal it.

Blockers

What exactly can be fixed to prevent the hijacker from driving away?

Gearbox. Modern manual and automatic transmissions have several forward gears and one reverse gear. One of them is fixed with a lock: after locking with a cipher or key, it is impossible to switch the gear. Even starting the engine, the attacker will not be able to move. Disassembling such a lock is much more difficult than breaking an ordinary door mechanism.
Steering wheel. On cars with automatic transmission, steering wheel locks are often used: a coupling, a metal rod, and a lock fix the steering wheel, resting against the glass, floor, or pedal. The device is clearly visible through the glass, so hijackers usually prefer not to waste time. Today, electronic versions of such locks are also produced. They block the steering wheel themselves if someone tries to start the car without the standard key or disable the system.

Steering wheel blocker
Image source Wikipedia/creative commons

Pedals. Fixing the clutch or brake pedal also completely excludes the movement of the car (unless it was left in gear). The mechanism resembles a lever that restricts the pedal travel and opens only with a key.
Handbrake. A less popular but simple option: the raised parking brake lever is fixed with a metal plate that prevents it from being lowered.
Ignition lock. The blocking is performed by breaking the standard wires and connecting them through a hidden switch. The hijacker will have to look for the installation location or open the panel under the steering wheel, which takes time, and therefore increases the risk of being noticed.

Other Types of Mechanical Protection

There are also additional solutions:

Hood lock. It prevents access to the ECU. Separate parts of the lock rotate if they are tried to be cut off, and the unit itself is installed outside the direct access zone.
Safe for ECU. The electronic control unit is placed in an armored box so that the hijacker cannot replace it with another one.
Pins in the door. Holes are drilled in the pillar for strong pins controlled by a separate code block - it is not connected to the central lock. Even if the standard system is hacked, the doors will not open.

The disadvantage of mechanical means is obvious: manufacturers rarely update designs, and criminals gradually learn to bypass them. Therefore, those who choose such protection usually focus on the products of trusted brands like Prosecurity or Dragon, installing equipment at official dealers.

Additional Measures

Cars with marked parts - nameplates and stickers with VIN - are much less interesting to hijackers. Durable anti-shock film on the windows also helps. But the imitation of an alarm with a flashing light has long lost its effectiveness.

Electronic Protection

Digital systems provide comprehensive control over access to the car and respond to hacking attempts.

Modern car alarms. Primitive "oral" sirens have already become a thing of the past. Satellite systems (GPS, GSM, GLONASS) can remotely disable the engine in almost any part of the country - provided there is a stable signal.
Immobilizer. Today, almost all cars are equipped with a standard immobilizer that compares the key code with the ignition system. If the code is incorrect, the engine simply will not start. Experts advise installing an additional immobilizer - this complicates hacking many times over.
Electronic secrets. Microchips are mounted in the power circuit of the ECU or fuel pump. Starting is possible only after entering a code or pressing a hidden button.
Cryptographically resistant alarm. To protect against code grabbers, alarms with dialog code are used: the key and the base exchange dynamically generated combinations that cannot be intercepted.
ECU with a different interface. The standard connector is replaced with a rare version to which the hijacker will not be able to connect. An adapter is used for maintenance.
GPS tracker. It does not prevent theft, but helps to find the car. It works on minimal power consumption or through an autonomous battery. However, smartphones with a SIM card as a tracker are found quite easily by attackers.
Author's systems. For example, a crypto converter between the ECU and the flywheel sensor. The changed configuration of the teeth is read by the device, and without a tag or code, the engine will not start.

Why Comprehensive Protection is Important

There are no absolutely invulnerable methods, but a combination of 2-3 systems significantly reduces the chance of theft. Of course, overkill is also harmful - otherwise, one day you yourself will not be able to get into the cabin. But the main task is to make the attacker spend a lot of time, and therefore - abandon the attempt.

Simple Rules That Also Work

Even with good protection, do not forget about basic habits:

Always close the doors. An unlocked car is a gift for petty thieves.
Do not leave the key in the ignition. Even a short trip to the store is a chance for a criminal.
Close the windows. An open gap allows you to reach in and unlock the doors.
Park in illuminated areas. In dark corners, even a loud alarm will attract few people.
Do not leave valuables in sight. Any equipment or bags in the cabin can provoke breaking the glass.