A couple years ago, my used '98 CRV's battery died. I got it replaced, and when I started it back up, the radio was locked out; I needed an unlock code that they'd have given me when I bought the car, if the car hadn't passed through at least a dozen hands before finally reaching me.
I called up my nearest Honda dealership, gave them the VIN, and they gave me the radio code.
I like that they can do that. Maybe it makes more sense from a security standpoint if I would've had to call some centralized Honda location, but that doesn't really solve the problem, does it? I have the VIN -- so does anyone who looks through my windshield. I have the title number -- so does the dealership who originally sold the car. We'd have to enter a few concurrent bits of information to verify that I own it, that this car I'm calling about is mine, and I can identify both it and myself, and then the centralized Honda location would have to be able to verify all that on their end.
Or we can assume some modicum of trust at dealerships, and accept the fringe cases where criminals use information they wouldn't have access to in a perfect world.
Very few stereo thieves write down the vehicle VIN on the deck as they're running away. No point in making it even easier for the police to figure out its stolen property, and they're usually in a bit of a hurry. Assuming they have a sharpie marker in one hand instead of a screwdriver or window smasher. Assuming they can read and write.
One interesting problem "security" guys have is overcomplicating plots. Your average meth head is waaay too zonked out of his mind to memorize which VIN goes with which radio, or even which OEM radios need a code.
Another problem is via the VIN they know instantly that your car is a '98. Well my cheapo commuter car is also a '98, and its approximately worthless at this point. Anyone stealing my worn out, partially broken, approx 2002 model year aftermarket deck pretty much deserves the pain they're about to experience. At a flea market I might be able to give it away... That may very well be Honda's point of view. Now try that again with a new 2013 $2000 GPS DVD player deck and they might hassle you.
Almost every OEM radio needs a code - I've not seen a radio in a car manufactured in the last 10 years that hasn't mentioned this fact. Nobody needs to memorize everything. Even methheads carry cell phones with cameras, and can take a snapshot before even breaking in.
Good points, though there should be some steps manufacturers could take. They could check for unusual usage patterns, much like credit card companies do.
The article doesn't specify but does imply that, in this case, the dealer in question made more PIN requests than is normal. If so, Ford should have seen that and investigated.
I called up my nearest Honda dealership, gave them the VIN, and they gave me the radio code.
I like that they can do that. Maybe it makes more sense from a security standpoint if I would've had to call some centralized Honda location, but that doesn't really solve the problem, does it? I have the VIN -- so does anyone who looks through my windshield. I have the title number -- so does the dealership who originally sold the car. We'd have to enter a few concurrent bits of information to verify that I own it, that this car I'm calling about is mine, and I can identify both it and myself, and then the centralized Honda location would have to be able to verify all that on their end.
Or we can assume some modicum of trust at dealerships, and accept the fringe cases where criminals use information they wouldn't have access to in a perfect world.