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Most of us don't mind having our car attract attention. In face, some car owners love it: they modify and customize their cars with body modifications and the latest products to it the shelves of their car stereo shop, and spend time and money to make their vehicles into impressive works of automotive art. But sometimes there's the attention that you don't want- a flashy car attracts approval, but it also attracts thieves.

In the US, car theft is a significant concern for many car owners. In 2006, a car was stolen for every 26.4 seconds. That's more than a million automobiles stolen, and billions of dollars in loss and damages. Because car theft is such a problem, and because your newly-customized car is such an attractive target, you should probably consult with a car alarm and security specialist, who can point you in the right direction.

According to many car alarm and security specialists, there are four layers of protection when it comes to car security. The first, and simplest, is common sense. Many car thefts are the result of the owner getting careless- leaving doors unlocked, having a spare set of keys in the car. With a little common sense, these crimes could have been prevented. Sometimes, just remembering to lock your doors and parking in an area with good visibility is enough to discourage potential thieves.

Layer two is deterrents and warning devices: alarm stickers, plainly visible steering wheel locks, or audio alarm warnings. These devices let potential thieves know that the car is protected, and that may be enough for them to move on and look for easier, less well-defended targets.

Protective layer three is immobilizing devices like steering wheel locks or fuel pump security devices. These will turn off parts of your car when you activate them, like engine components or the ignition, so that car thieves won't be able to start the car and drive it away. Make sure that you talk to a car alarm and security specialist before having these put in - because these devices work better with some car models and makes than others, a consultation will let you know whether getting a particular device installed in your car is a good idea.

Lastly, there's hidden GPS auto tracking devices. If a thief manages to drive away with your car anyway, devices like the LoJack and Teletrack let third party security firms and the police track the movements of your car. This means recovery of your stolen vehicle - and the apprehension of the criminals -- can be a matter of hours.