Device Called the Code Grabber Targets People Who Use a Remote Control to Open Their Garage Door

A new device called the code grabber targets people who use a remote control to open their garage door.

A couple found out the hard way when their son’s bike went missing, and they went to look at the surveillance video.

“My stomach flipped,” said father Devin Durst. “Somebody was in our garage.”

“There’s people walking around, middle of the night, trying to see what they can get their hands on,” added his wife. 

Police haven’t confirmed a code grabber was used, but Durst believes it was--or something similar. 

Neighbors at Calamondin Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida are having issues with someone, possibly burglars, using remote controlled devices to open garage doors.

(Screenshot/ABC)

 

Experts explained that the device intercepts the radio signal of your garage door opener, and are then able to open the doors.

“A 14-year-old, can go on eBay right now with a few dollars and buy a device,” tech expert Craig Agranoff told WPTV. “If your device still has those pins, you are susceptible to getting hacked. A simple Mattel toy can get turned into a garage door opener within a matter of minutes.”

Older garage doors, such as those made in early 2000’s, are an easy target. If your model has an automatic feature, then disable it.

“You need to have a newer garage door opener that changes the code every time you use it,” said one expert to ABC. “That still doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but it makes it a lot harder.”