Do I Need CarLock If My Car Has A Factory Car Alarm?

A 2023 report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) revealed that over 1 million vehicles were stolen in the U.S. alone in 2022, a 7% increase from the previous year. In the UK, data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that at least 350 vehicles are stolen daily. Similarly, reports from the EU highlight a troubling upward trend in car thefts across the region.

Many of these vehicles had factory alarms, which didn’t stop them from being stolen. Car owners trust that their built-in alarm will protect them—until they wake up to an empty driveway. 

The harsh reality?

Factory-installed car alarms are predictable, outdated, and easily bypassed by professional thieves.

Modern car thieves do not break windows or force entry—they use advanced tools to disable alarms within seconds and steal cars without triggering any noise.

Professional thieves are highly skilled and know exactly how factory alarms work. They come prepared with tools such as:

• Relay attack tools to extend the key’s signal from inside the owner’s house.
• Key fob cloning devices to unlock and start the car without setting off an alarm.

These tactics make factory alarms ineffective. Built-in security systems create a false sense of security. Most factory alarms only go off if a door is forced open. When you realize something is wrong, your car is already gone.

Implementing multiple layers of security is a more effective way to safeguard a vehicle. This ensures that even if one system is bypassed, others remain active. Integrating an independent tracking and security system adds extra protection, reducing the theft risk and increasing the likelihood of vehicle recovery.

The Harsh Reality: Why Factory Car Alarms Fail

Factory-installed security systems are designed to meet basic industry standards, but they are not built to outsmart professional car thieves. These alarms rely on outdated mechanisms and lack real-time monitoring, making them ineffective in preventing modern car theft. While these systems may deter opportunistic thieves, they fail against modern, well-equipped criminals who know how to bypass them.

We will outline several key reasons why factory-installed alarms are ineffective as standalone security measures.

Limited Functionality and Vulnerability of Factory Alarms

Most factory alarms are outdated and lack advanced detection features. They function as basic deterrents rather than proactive security solutions.

• Many alarms only trigger if a door is forced open, leaving the car vulnerable to:
  • Relay attacks (key fob cloning) – Thieves amplify the signal from your key fob to unlock and start the car without triggering the alarm.
  • Replay Attacks: Thieves record the signal from a key fob and use it later to gain access to the vehicle.
  • Signal Jamming: A thief blocks the key fob signal, preventing the alarm from engaging. Since factory alarms rely on radio signals, they are easy to jam or intercept, leaving vehicles unprotected.
  • Window break-ins: Many factory alarms do not detect broken glass; if they do, the thieves know how to silence the alarm in seconds.
  • Ignition tampering – OBD hacking tools allow thieves to reprogram a new key fob without setting off the alarm.
  • Towing or wheel-lifting theft – Factory alarms do not detect movement if the car is lifted onto a tow truck.

Predictability and Ease of Disabling

Factory-installed alarms and trackers follow a standardized installation process, making them predictable and easy for experienced thieves to locate and disable.

• Thieves study the security systems of different car brands and models, so they already know where built-in alarm modules are placed.
• Online guides and hacking tools are widely available, allowing thieves to learn how to bypass factory alarms.
• Key fob cloning technology allows thieves to unlock and start a vehicle without setting off the alarm.

Since factory alarms follow predictable security measures, they do not deter professional thieves.

Lack of Real-Time Alerts

Most factory alarms do not notify the owner, meaning that even if the alarm does sound, the owner may not be aware of the theft attempt.

• The alarm siren is often ignored – Many people assume car alarms are false.
• No smartphone notifications – Owners will not know their car is being stolen unless the vehicle has an advanced companion app.

When the owner realizes their car is missing, the thieves have already disabled the alarm and relocated the vehicle.

The Importance of a Multilayered Car Security Approach

No single security system can stop all types of theft. Professional thieves use multiple methods to bypass factory security, meaning relying on just one system—such as a built-in alarm, is insufficient. 

A multi-layered security approach significantly increases the difficulty of stealing a vehicle, forcing criminals to spend more time and take greater risks.

The Benefits of Combining Factory Security with Additional Layers

A multi-layered approach ensures that even if one security feature is compromised, others remain active, making it much harder for thieves to succeed. Security layers can include:

• Factory security (alarm, immobilizer, built-in tracker).
• Aftermarket GPS trackers that are independent of the factory system.
• Steering wheel locks, wheel clamps, or pedal locks as physical deterrents.
• Kill switches that prevent the engine from starting.
• Faraday pouches to block key fob relay attacks.

Each added layer increases the time and effort required for thieves to steal a vehicle, making them more likely to abandon the attempt.

CarLock: The Essential Secondary Security Layer

Factory security systems alone are not enough to prevent modern car theft. They are installed in standard locations with standard features thieves are prepared for, making them easy for criminals to find and disable. 

CarLock, on the other hand, can be:

• Plugged into the OBD port, making it immediately operational.
• Connected using an OBD extension, splitter, or power cable hiding its true location.
• Hardwired directly to the vehicle’s battery, ensuring power even if the OBD port is tampered with.

Adding CarLock as a secondary security layer increases protection by providing real-time alerts, independent tracking, and unpredictable installation options. 

Even when simply plugged into the OBD port in a visible location, CarLock adds another level of uncertainty for thieves, making it more difficult for them to act without consequences. A thief cannot be sure what will happen when they disconnect CarLock, whether it will trigger an alert, activate a security feature, or disable the vehicle.

CarLock Secures the OBD Port and Prevents Unauthorized Access

The On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port is a major security weakness in modern vehicles. Thieves often use OBD hacking tools to bypass the factory alarm, reprogram a new key, and steal the car within minutes.

Factory alarms don’t prevent this—most don’t even monitor OBD access, allowing thieves to override built-in security silently.

CarLock adds an essential layer of protection:

• Blocks access to the OBD port – Prevents unauthorized devices from being plugged in.
• Instant alert if removed – Notifies the owner immediately if CarLock is unplugged.

Since OBD hacking is one of the fastest ways to steal a car, blocking access to the port is crucial. CarLock ensures that any tampering attempt is detected instantly, allowing owners to act before it’s too late.

Real-Time Notifications for Any Unusual Activity

Most factory security systems lack real-time alerts, so owners are unaware of theft attempts until it’s too late. CarLock provides instant smartphone notifications whenever suspicious activity is detected, allowing quick action.

CarLock alerts include:

• Vehicle moved – Notifies the owner if the car is moved without permission.
• Engine started – Alerts when the engine is turned on.
• Vibration detected – Warns of break-in attempts using power tools, prying, or impact.
• Device disconnected – Sends an alert if the CarLock device is removed or disabled.

With real-time alerts sent directly to their smartphone, owners can react immediately to security threats, significantly improving the chances of preventing theft.

Conclusion

Relying solely on factory security is risky—thieves can bypass it in seconds. CarLock eliminates these vulnerabilities, providing instant alerts, smarter tracking, and enhanced vehicle monitoring, making theft attempts significantly more difficult.

It acts as a critical secondary security layer, strengthening where factory systems fall short. With real-time alerts, independent tracking, and flexible installation options, CarLock creates uncertainty that deters thieves. It’s a simple, reliable, and cost-effective way to protect your vehicle while giving you peace of mind.

Car theft is on the rise, and neighborhoods are becoming less safe. If you own a new or high-value vehicle, taking extra security measures isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—secure your vehicle before thieves target it.
Get CarLock today.