Theft of Columbus

[Redboy]

Hard luck and very generous of you to spend the time to point out the problem and solution. No doubt there are several solutions but yours appears to be very easy and practical. Sadly no matter ho much effort you take to deter or stop thieves, if someone has enough time, determination, they will probably dig it out if the dash, regardless of damage to your car and the Columbus.

[Gizmo]

Are you saying that you have fitted all your cars with Security tape to stop a car break in?

 

 

Without trying to tempt fate... fortunately I have only ever been in this situation once before many years ago.

 

However if it happened again then yes I would certainly do that.

 

A couple of these would probably be enough of a deterant (along with dummy cameras)

 

EDIT:

Actually looking at the size of the above, something smaller would be better!

Edited 28 December, 2015 by Gizmo68

[alextan]

Great.

Right when I was thinking for one of these ones..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kenwood-DNX-525DAB/dp/B00J9GASKI?tag=b0f1c-21

Looks that I need to get a couple of pitbulls aswell and have them sleep in the Superb overnight :(

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[*murph*]

Im ordering 2x sets of these one for each car http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RNS-510-310-RCD-300-500-MFD2-security-screws-anti-theft-protection-VW-SEAT-SKODA-/261757676903?hash=item3cf1f92d67:g:wDIAAOSwrklVBYMW

[Danny 57]

Hey Murph, beware I have a complete set of those bits. He he he he. Again no bloody emicons.

[peterposh]

Haven't they got some sort of code or pin on them?

[mannyo]

Haven't they got some sort of code or pin on them?

Yes, they do have a 4 digit pin but the security was cracked quiet sometime ago. You used to need to solder directly onto the chip and you could then brute force the key from the unit, but now it can be done using a third party tool via canbus queries. The original columbus is now 10 years old, so the thieves have had plenty of time to crack the security.

The MQB Columbus in the Superb MK3 is a different animal, it uses encrypted keys and certificates for security and the pairing of the unit between car and headunit can only be done online to Skoda HQ. If the system is cracked, then a quick update of the keys and certificates at service will render the hack useless.

[Rustynuts]

The MQB Columbus in the Superb MK3 is a different animal, it uses encrypted keys and certificates for security and the pairing of the unit between car and headunit can only be done online to Skoda HQ. If the system is cracked, then a quick update of the keys and certificates at service will render the hack useless.

The system has already been cracked mate. A member on here had a new Columbus system retrofitted a while ago.

[JohnMurphy]

Here's the link to the screws I used. You put them in and out with a tool that costs £4.99 and yes, thieves can buy it too, but with so many switchable heads to try before they find the right one, time is their enemy.

Security is all about creating a delay that creates the time to enable a response. That could be you running outside with a big stick or releasing the dog! I recommend neither but it could of course generate witnesses or improved cctv images.

http://m.screwfix.com/p/easydrive-star-drive-countersunk-self-tappers-security-screws-8ga-x-1-pk10/6232h

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Thanks Bartatmam, for bringing awareness to this. What a pain, bloody scumbags:( I've had a concrete block through my window on my old car, was finding glass shards for months afterwards.

 

For the sake of a few quid, well worth changing the screws. The chances of them getting the unit will be decreased, when they're not looking at standard star/Philip head screws.

 

John 

[SuperbTWM]

Here's the link to the screws I used. You put them in and out with a tool that costs £4.99 and yes, thieves can buy it too, but with so many switchable heads to try before they find the right one, time is their enemy.

Security is all about creating a delay that creates the time to enable a response. That could be you running outside with a big stick or releasing the dog! I recommend neither but it could of course generate witnesses or improved cctv images.

http://m.screwfix.com/p/easydrive-star-drive-countersunk-self-tappers-security-screws-8ga-x-1-pk10/6232h

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If you think about it, its better that they don't come with these screws as standard as they would come expecting them and be tooled up accordingly and have pinched your second headunit aswell.

 

Didn't you alarm go off? I thought modern cars with alarms was a good enough deterrent.

 

I will be taking your advice for the sake of a few quid because knowing my luck, i'll be next

[Huskoda]

Use four different security screws. They have to spend 4x as long finding the right bits. Though after the 2nd screw they will more than likely just torch your car instead.

[softscoop]

If you think about it, its better that they don't come with these screws as standard as they would come expecting them and be tooled up accordingly and have pinched your second headunit aswell.

 

Didn't you alarm go off? I thought modern cars with alarms was a good enough deterrent.

 

I will be taking your advice for the sake of a few quid because knowing my luck, i'll be next

 

I doubt an alarm deters most thieves. If you hear an alarm going off somewhere, what do most do? It's usually just ignored 

 

With a bit of practise, I can imagine the columbus can be removed in under than a minute, especially if they have the torx bits in an electric screwdriver etc.

[samuir1974]

I doubt an alarm deters most thieves. If you hear an alarm going off somewhere, what do most do? It's usually just ignored 

 

With a bit of practise, I can imagine the columbus can be removed in under than a minute, especially if they have the torx bits in an electric screwdriver etc.

 

Exactly.... the security video of my RNS510 going walkies was under 90 seconds

from the moment the thieves pulled up in their car to them driving off again!

 

A well practiced and brutal routine to watch....  :peek:

[psycholist]

Car alarms are nothing more than noise pollution these days unfortunately. What's more impressive, and worrying for those with KESSY, is thieves using radio amplifiers to pick up the signal from the car owner's keys (Which should be out of rang in the house) to unlock their car, code in their own key while the car is unlocked and drive off with the car without breaking anything... 

[SuperbTWM]

I doubt an alarm deters most thieves. If you hear an alarm going off somewhere, what do most do? It's usually just ignored 

 

With a bit of practise, I can imagine the columbus can be removed in under than a minute, especially if they have the torx bits in an electric screwdriver etc.

 

True but if i get woken up in the night by a car alarm I bet I can get my air rifle from under the bed and out of the window before they can get my headunit out.

[Edwardw121]

Just a question re the reason these are been stolen I think j know why it is, but never found anything on the Internet. I'll pm you.

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[psycholist]

So there's a reason above them fitting loads of cars, their security security being cracked and them being easy to remove?

[Hozz]

I recently had my Superb II (2013) broken into. They smashed the front near side window and stole the Columbus unit from the dash board. My reason for posting this is to make you aware just how easy this is and to offer some simple advice that may help you prevent it happening to you.

After the removal of the black plastic trim that surrounds the unit, and is only clipped in place, you find the unit is held with four standard screws! The removal of these takes seconds and then they make off with £2.5k worth of kit. This is what happened to me.

The unit and glass were replaced by my insurance company but I purchased some security screws (from Screwfix) to replace the originals. Good job I did as at 23:20 on Christmas Day evening they came back to steal the replacement unit.

Again they broke the window, the alarm went off, they leaned in, removed the trim, BUT couldn't get the unit out. They made off empty handed.

It's clear that Skoda should do better than this. It's a return to the early 80s in terms of poor vehicle security.

Be aware that your Skoda dealer may also seek to rip your insurance company off by claiming that all the wiring between the unit and the satnav aerial needs to be replaced too! Mine said that the connection pins had been damaged during the theft. They looked fine to me but removing the headlining and doing a re-wire pushed the bill up by hundreds. I doubt they ever did this work.

If you have the Columbus unit (and there's a reason why they are after this unit rather than others which I won't share here), please perform this simple security enhancement. Ten security screws cost something like £1.60 and are well worth the effort.

Happy New Year to you all.

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Very interesting post. I decided to replace the screws on my unit but cannot find out how to remove the trim. 

Have you got any tips please.

[psycholist]

Use a plastic lever to lift the trim - a ruler or bicycle tyre lever or possibly even a credit card you don't plan on putting in an ATM again would do. Lever the trim out gently at one of the top corners first, then go to the other corner while holding the first corner out. once the top edge is released work down the sides. The bottom of the trim pretty much comes out by itself once the top and sides are out. You'll need to unplug the wire for the airbag light at the bottom of the trim to fully remove it - the wire is quite short, so keep the trim close to the car until this is done. Squeeze the sides of the plug and it'll slide out easily. Swapping the bolts for security bolts off ebay took me a couple of minutes last weekend.

[JackHill]

Same happened to me yesterday in Halifax. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same people that got yours. Will buy some screws. Others beware!

 

Off to feel sorry for myself.

[peterposh]

There are lots for sale on ebay

[Too Tall]

You're quite lucky. Over here in Belgium/The Netherlands when they discover you used security screws or a Navilock, they just put some BBQ starter cubes on your wheels and torch your car...

 

Funny story, a while ago a local member had his Columbus stolen. 2 Days later he visited a local shop that specialises in Navigation retrofits (quite well known too!). They have a Columbus available, and he buys it.

 

After they finish installing it they offer to help him pair his phone and load his music on the hard drive...

 

...

 

..

 

.

 

Columbus boots, his music automatically starts playing, his phone automatically connects, adress book is already loaded, radio stations still the same, and all his songs were still on the hard drive...His missed and dialled calls matched both on his phone and the Columbus.

 

He reported it, the Police came, he got to keep the Columbus and they were going to investigate.

Edited 5 March, 2016 by Too Tall

[lichfielddriver]

[lichfielddriver]

[lichfielddriver]

how about a secondary break glass detector that dials the owner?