What is a Ghost Immobiliser?
A Ghost immobiliser guards your car from key cloning or hacking. It is incredibly difficult to bypass and is a great add-on to any security device for your vehicle like an alarm system or tracking device.
It makes use of the buttons integrated into your steering wheel or central console to allow you to create a PIN code sequence. The code is stored on the device and can be used to disarm your car for valet mode.
What is a Ghost Immobiliser?
It may sound scary, but the 'ghost immobiliser is a sophisticated anti-theft system that prevents thieves, who are tech-savvy and have the ability to take your vehicle, even if they've cloned the key fob of yours or stolen it. It's completely hidden and works silently so thieves are not aware that it exists. It is also undetectable by thieves since it does no emit radio signals and doesn't require any additional hardware visible inside the car or cutting wires.
It works by connecting directly to the vehicle's CAN bus system and it stops the engine from running until a specific PIN sequence is first entered. It is usually activated by buttons already present on the steering wheel or centre console. No new keypad is fitted to the car. This adds an additional layer to security, which will not only prevent theft but also ensure that the safety of the vehicle is ensured if keys are lost.
Traditional immobilisers were incredibly effective to stop hotwiring, which was a common type of car theft in the 1980s and 90s, but as technology has progressed and thieves have become more technologically adept, various forms of theft have emerged such as relay car theft. This is where ghost immobilisers are a popular choice, as they can protect your car against the more sophisticated forms of theft.
Ghost car immobilisers are available as a stand-alone device or in conjunction with other security devices such as Thatcham Approved Vehicle Trackers or Dash Cams with full HD, which can reduce your insurance rates. These can be installed on the majority of cars, and are an inexpensive and effective ways to improve the safety of your vehicle.
Autowatch's newest ghost immobiliser, called the Ghost 2, is at the forefront of security system technology. car stolen with ghost immobiliser offers your car with protection from key cloning, hacking and even key theft. The only way that a burglar could take your car with this system is by physically towing it away and even then, they wouldn't be capable of driving your pride and joy.
How do Ghost Immobilisers work?
The Ghost Immobiliser is a revolutionary system that safeguards your vehicle from hacking, key cloning and even theft of keys. It was developed by Autowatch which is a South African company at the leading edge of vehicle security technology. It works to stop these kinds of car theft, and ensure that your pride and joy remains in your car where it belongs.
Ghost immobilisers connect directly to the data bus for CAN in your car and intercepts signals sent by ECUs which are electronic control units that begin your engine. It prevents your engine from starting until you enter an unique pin code or sequence of buttons, in addition to the standard key fob. This is to prevent thieves from using an application on their phone to capture the signal, and then copy the key fob in order to steal your car.
It is a silent and undetectable system that does not make any noise or emit any lights. It isn't detectable by radar scanners or by radio detectors. It also does not contain any circuit wires that thieves could cut. It is a great addition to any security system and can be integrated into other systems, such as alarm and tracking device. It's an excellent alternative for those who need to allow someone else to drive their vehicle for a short period of time, for valet parking, or when the vehicle is being serviced.
There are two major ghost-immobilisers that are available: CAN Phantom, and Autowatch Ghost. Both work similarly by connecting to the CAN data bus. They stop your car from starting until a specific sequence of buttons is entered onto your steering wheel or dashboard. The sequence is exclusive to you, only you know it and you can modify it if necessary.
Both CAN Phantom & Autowatch Ghost have been TASSA-certified which is a third-party group of experts who have backgrounds in police and security testing. This is a proof of the high level of quality and reliability of the system.
Installers who are certified can install your Ghost immobiliser. You can locate one near you using our search tool online or contact your local dealer.
How can a ghost immobiliser prevent theft?
The ghost immobiliser is connected to the CAN system of your vehicle and prevents it from starting until an appropriate code sequence has been entered. This can be accomplished by pressing buttons on your vehicle, like the steering wheels, centre consoles, or door panels. The code can contain up to 20 characters. This means that even if thieves manage to enter your vehicle and start driving it, they will be incapable of driving it off without entering the correct pin code.
Ghost immobilisers, unlike alarms or key fob signalling that are able to be intercepted by scanners that are external, works silently and independently. This is the most efficient way to guard your vehicle against modern theft techniques like hacking or signal relay.
It is also a lot easier to install and compatible with all vehicles. This makes it simple to use. Additionally, if you ever require to temporarily disable your ghost immobiliser it is easy to do this from the user interface. This lets you maintain your vehicle or even valet park it without any compromise to its security. The system will automatically switch back to secure mode after a short period of time, giving you peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is protected.
In addition, putting a ghost immobiliser to your vehicle could lower your insurance costs. This is particularly true if you have a high-end vehicle such as a Mercedes, BMW or Jaguar. You should contact your insurance company to confirm this, and to discuss other options for security measures which may be able lower your premium.
Both the Autowatch Ghost and CAN Phantom systems are Thatcham certified and endorsed by the Tracking and Aftermarket Security System Association. Both systems are recognized as offering exceptional levels of protection, making them an excellent investment for anyone looking to keep their vehicle secure from theft. This could help you to maintain the value of your vehicle when you decide to sell it, because potential buyers are aware that it's a high-security vehicle.
How much will an immobiliser ghost cost?
Ghost immobilisers offer an extra layer of protection for your vehicle. They are indetectable and impossible to bypass making them among the most effective anti-theft solutions available. The peace of mind provided by a ghost immobiliser is worth the initial investment.
The cost of a ghost immobiliser is depending on the model you select and the prices set by your installer. However, most customers are extremely satisfied with their investment, as they appreciate the added layer of protection. Many users are also pleased with the fact that the device is discrete and doesn't affect the appearance of their vehicle.
Ghost immobilisers like key fobs or wheel locks, are invisibly and operate in complete silence, without radio signals. This makes them a more discrete and effective alternative to other car security measures, such as trackers and engine management system (EMS) immobilisers.
Ghost immobilisers operate by connecting directly with the CAN data network of your vehicle. It creates a PIN code that needs to be entered in order to start the vehicle. It is entered by through buttons that are already in the dashboard and steering wheel which makes it virtually undetectable. The system is also insurance Approved through TASSA, making it an excellent option for vehicles that don't have factory immobilisers.
It is highly recommended that if are considering the purchase of a Ghost vehicle immobiliser, you install it by a professional. Incorrect installation can lead to numerous issues, like electrical faults or damage to your vehicle. Additionally an incorrect installation may cause warranty cancellation on both the Ghost immobiliser as well as your vehicle.
Other security measures such as the GPS tracking device or engine immobilisers may be less expensive than Ghost immobilisers. They are more prone to theft, and may not offer as much protection from determined thieves. They may also be more difficult to integrate into older vehicles. Therefore, a Ghost immobiliser is generally regarded as the best option for most drivers.