# How do I install a lock on my car’s data port? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 14, 2022, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-install-a-lock-on-my-car-s-data-port/957766 "2022-01-14T01:26:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2022, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-install-a-lock-on-my-car-s-data-port/957766/1 "2022-01-14T01:26:48Z")
So, last month there was an article about car thieves in Toronto using Apple Tags to track cars they want to steal: > **[UPDATE: Here’s what to do if you find an AirTag placed in your vehicle by a...](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/car-thieves-have-a-new-way-to-track-your-car-and-steal-it-from-your-driveway)** > > The high-tech method to steal high-end vehicles can be foiled According to this National Post article, one way to reduce car theft is to : > [@](#): > > - Install a lock on the data port below the dashboard. This simple device can be purchased online and blocks access to the computer port the thieves use to reprogram keys How do I do that, please? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2022, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-install-a-lock-on-my-car-s-data-port/957766/2 "2022-01-14T01:39:00Z")
There seem to be Youtube videos: [https://www.youtube.com/results?search\_query=install+lock+on+data+port+car](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=install+lock+on+data+port+car) ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-install-a-lock-on-my-car-s-data-port/957766/3 "2022-01-18T16:30:19Z")
I’m not sure it would be worth the effort. Look up YouTube videos from folks like The Lockpicking Lawyer and you’ll see that pretty much any niche security lock is made with more focus on appearance than security and they all but fall open once a pick is inserted. Pros that have your car will spend two minutes removing the lock, if that. On the other hand, you could very well misplace the key before the next time the Check Engine light comes on, causing much inconvenience for yourself. ETA: If you have an iPhone, Apple will kindly warn you that you are being tracked by an unknown Apple Tag. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-install-a-lock-on-my-car-s-data-port/957766/4 "2022-01-18T16:32:08Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > On the other hand, you could very well misplace the key before the next time the Check Engine light comes on, causing much inconvenience for yourself. - Easily solved with a small piece of electrical tape. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-install-a-lock-on-my-car-s-data-port/957766/5 "2022-01-18T16:33:29Z")
😀 That’s how I used to take care of the annoying “shift” light on recent manual transmission cars. So convenient and simple!