We love our “smart” cars, and with good reason. Are you looking for the nearest Target or gas station? The Global Positioning System (GPS) in your car is there to help.
However, if your car is ever stolen, the same navigational system can lead the bad guys right to your front door. Or less dire but more frequent, a criminally-minded valet or car repair person can easily find out where you live too.
Here are two steps you can take to minimize the chances of being victimized by your own technology.
- Don’t let your car’s GPS system be your downfall. Make the “HOME” address on your navigational system an intersection near your home, not your actual address. If bad guys steal or gain access to your car, you don’t want them showing up to your house later that night. Remember to periodically clear out your “recent destinations/trips/places” in your car’s navigational system too.
- Don’t use the built-in garage door opener feature in your car and don’t clip a garage door opener to the visor. Take it with you or store it in an inconspicuous place in the car. In the unfortunate event the bad guys do find your house, you don’t want them to rolling up the driveway and pulling into your garage. If your car gets stolen, change the access code on your garage door right away.
Let’s be careful out there!
