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Most auto enthusiasts love getting attention because of their cars. And why not? These people have invested a lot of their money for their car, with top-of-the line equipment from their auto parts and car stereo shops, installing the latest hardware into their beloved autos. Sometimes, though, these cars attract the wrong kind of attention- from auto thieves.

Car theft is a serious problem all over the country. Approximately one million cars are stolen every year- as of 2006, statisticians had it down to a car stolen every 26.4 seconds. Car theft is a huge crime industry, one that annually costs billions of dollars in losses.Thankfully, there have been many advances against auto thievery. And if you visit your nearest car alarm and security specialist, you can get to know the latest they have to offer in making your precious car as safe as it could possibly get.

A car alarm and security specialist will tell you that every car has four layers of protection. The first of these is common sense. Many cases of stolen cars stem from complacency and sloppiness on the owner's part. Just forgetting to lock your doors or turn on the alarm can get your car stolen. Simply applying common sense like not leaving a spare set of keys inside or parking in well-lit areas with at least some security can prevent many car thieves from taking the opportunity to break into your car.

The number two layer is mechanical and electronic deterrents: car alarms and stickers, high-visibility mechanisms that immobilize car components, etc. These elements are very noticeable- part of their security is that they let possible car thieves be aware that the car has protection on it, which discourages them from making any attempts.

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.