Anti-theft system
Encyclopedia
An anti-theft system is any device or method used to prevent or deter the unauthorized appropriation of items considered valuable. Theft
Theft
In common usage, theft is the illegal taking of another person's property without that person's permission or consent. The word is also used as an informal shorthand term for some crimes against property, such as burglary, embezzlement, larceny, looting, robbery, shoplifting and fraud...

 is one of the most common and oldest criminal behaviours. From the invention of the first lock
Lock (device)
A lock is a mechanical or electronic fastening device that is released by a physical object or secret information , or combination of more than one of these....

 and key
Key (lock)
A key is an instrument that is used to operate a lock. A typical key consists of two parts: the blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock and distinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is left protruding so that torque can be applied by the user. The blade is usually intended to...

 to the introduction of RFID tags and biometric identification, anti-theft systems have evolved to match the introduction of new inventions to society and the resulting theft of them by others.

Theft: Motive and Opportunity

Under normal circumstances, theft is prevented simply through the application and social acceptance of property law. Ownership is often indicated by means of visual marking (license plates, name tags). When clear owner identification is not possible and when there is a lack of social observance, people may be inclined to take possession of items to their own benefit at the expense of the original owner. Motive and opportunity are two enabling factors for theft. Given that motives for theft are varied and complex and are generally speaking not within the control of the victim, most methods of theft prevention rely on reducing opportunities for theft.

Motives for actively preventing theft

Items may require an anti-theft system for a variety of reasons, which may occur in combination depending on the type of item and its use:
  • The item is expensive and/or has sentimental value (prestigious car, family heirloom, birthday gift, war medals, coin collection)
  • The item is difficult/impossible to replace if lost (produced in low numbers, antiques
    Antiques
    An antique is an old collectible item. It is collected or desirable because of its age , beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features...

    , unique works of art)
  • The item is easy to steal (retail/supermarket products, office stationery)
  • The item may be left unattended in an unsafe environment (laptops in a library, cars in a carpark)
  • Inappropriate use of the item may cause considerable damage or may enable further unauthorized acts (theft of car keys, stolen building access keys, identity theft
    Identity theft
    Identity theft is a form of stealing another person's identity in which someone pretends to be someone else by assuming that person's identity, typically in order to access resources or obtain credit and other benefits in that person's name...

    )
  • The item is desirable to others (jewelry, mobile phones, rare collectibles, auto parts, industrial designs)
  • The item is otherwise un-obtainable: (Alcohol, Tobacco products, age related substances)

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Use of Theft Prevention

Equally varied are the methods developed for theft prevention. Anti-theft systems have evolved to counter new theft techniques as they have appeared in society. The choice for a particular anti-theft system is dependent on several factors:

Financial Cost

In addition to the initial acquisition cost of an item, the cost of replacement or recovery from its theft is usually considered when considering the cost of installing an anti-theft system. This cost estimation usually determines the maximum cost of the anti-theft system and the need to secure it. Expensive items will generally be secured with higher-cost anti-theft systems, while low-cost items will generally be secured at low cost. Insurance companies will often mandate a minimum type of anti-theft system as part of the conditions for insurance.

Threshold for Theft

Anti-theft systems are designed to raise the difficulty of theft to an infeasible (but not necessarily impossible) level. The kind of system implemented often depends on the acceptable threshold for theft. For example, keeping money in an inside shirt pocket raises the difficulty of theft above that necessary if the pocket were on a backpack, since unauthorized access is made sufficiently more difficult. Methods of theft evolve to decrease the difficulty of theft, increased by newer anti-theft systems. Because of evolution on both sides and the social aspect of theft, the threshold for theft is very dynamic and heavily dependent on the environment. Doors in quiet suburban neighbourhoods are often left unlocked, as the perceived thresholds for theft are very high.

Ease of Use

Security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...

 is often compromised through the lax application of theft-prevention practices and human nature in general. The ideal anti-theft device requires no additional effort while using the secured item, without reducing the level of security. In practice, users of security systems may intentionally reduce the effectiveness of an anti-theft system to increase its usability (see passwords). For example, home security systems will often be enabled and disabled using easy-to-remember codes such as "1111" or "123", instead of more secure combinations.

Sequestering of valuable items

A very common method of preventing theft is the placement of valuables in a safe location. The definition of safe depends on the minimum threshold for theft as determined by the owner. Desk stationery is often considered secured if placed in an unlocked drawer away from view, while expensive jewelry might be placed in a safe
Safe
A safe is a secure lockable box used for securing valuable objects against theft or damage. A safe is usually a hollow cuboid or cylinder, with one face removable or hinged to form a door. The body and door may be cast from metal or formed out of plastic through blow molding...

 behind a picture in a home.

Raising the awareness of theft

Another common method is the alerting of other individuals to the act of theft. This is commonly seen in department stores, where security systems at exits alert store employees of the removal of unpaid items.
Older car alarm
Car alarm
A car alarm is an electronic device installed in a vehicle in an attempt to discourage theft of the vehicle itself, its contents, or both. Car alarms work by emitting high-volume sound when the conditions necessary for triggering are met, as well as by flashing some of the vehicle's...

s also fall into this category; newer systems also prevent the car from starting.
The revolution of mobile applications and wireless communication make possible to get notified by your phone, when your properties are stolen. Probably the first solution of mobile application based theft detection is BluCop, which was published in December 2010.

Preventing Removal of items

Yet another method is the attachment of items to a larger immobile object, usually furniture or walls.

Disabling the stolen item

Items with specific functionality can often be disabled to prevent the use of the item if it should be stolen. The anti-theft system can require disabling on every use, or enabling when the item needs to be secured. Disabling the anti-theft system is usually done by requiring identification of the owner at some stage of use. Identification can occur through physical or other means (physical keys, numerical codes, complex passwords, biometric identification). This can work even retrospectively: as a stolen credit card can easily be invalidated with a phone call to the issuing bank, the motivation to steal one is reduced.

In the case of vehicle theft, the best deterrent to theft is in the installation of an approved vehicle anti theft passive immobilizer. Many vehicles have OEM (factory installed) units and afford protection through the ignition system. OEM immobilizers function through the ECM/PCM (computer) under the hood of the vehicle. In general terms, the RFID tag attached to the key must be read by the ECM in order to allow ignition to occur. Unfortunately, organized crime is able to bypass these systems and steal any vehicle at will. An approved immobilizer uses a 3 circuit isolation system which thwarts even the most experienced thief.

Security Tags

Security tags are devices that are attached to products to prevent shoplifting. Often used in conjunction with an Electronic article surveillance
Electronic article surveillance
Electronic article surveillance is a technological method for preventing shoplifting from retail stores or pilferage of books from libraries. Special tags are fixed to merchandise or books. These tags are removed or deactivated by the clerks when the item is properly bought or checked out...

 system. SelectaDNA
SelectaDNA
Selecta DNA is a forensic property marking system used in the UK and a growing number of Countries around the world as part of crime prevention strategies for businesses & residential properties.-External links:**...

 or Smartwater
SmartWater
SmartWater is an anti-criminal system marketed in the United Kingdom by Smartwater Technology Ltd.It consists of a liquid containing a code which can be read under ultraviolet light. It is intended to be applied to valuable items, so that if they are stolen and later seized by police, their...

 are such security tags - a forensic fluid which contains millions of tiny fragments which have a unique number called "SIN" ("SelectaDNA
SelectaDNA
Selecta DNA is a forensic property marking system used in the UK and a growing number of Countries around the world as part of crime prevention strategies for businesses & residential properties.-External links:**...

 identification number"), and registered in a national police database together with the owner's details, is etched into each of those particles.

Tracking Software

Electronic items such as laptops, cell phones and even gadgets such as iPods now have software that enable them to "phone home" with information regarding their whereabouts and other information that can aid law enforcement to track the devices down.

Forensic Marking

Assets can be marked with various forensic marking materials for law enforcement traceability of the item. An example of this type of marking is SelectaDNA
SelectaDNA
Selecta DNA is a forensic property marking system used in the UK and a growing number of Countries around the world as part of crime prevention strategies for businesses & residential properties.-External links:**...

 and Smartwater
SmartWater
SmartWater is an anti-criminal system marketed in the United Kingdom by Smartwater Technology Ltd.It consists of a liquid containing a code which can be read under ultraviolet light. It is intended to be applied to valuable items, so that if they are stolen and later seized by police, their...

.
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