Well this is scary:

http://www.networkworld.com/article/...ity_2015-04-16

 

Yep. My cousin got his escalade stolen like this.

 

Calm down. Such device CANNOT beat your car's security system within limited time once your car is locked properly. The way it "bypass" your security guard is to prevent it from being activated - the device can send out strong interference signal that can "jam" the LOCK command sending by your keyless fob. Then your car isn't locked although you think it does.

The trick to defeat such device is simple: always press the button on door handle (if equipped with keyless entry) to lock your car. You should clearly hear a locking movement from lock actuator before walking away.

The device isn't $17 but ranges $1k-2k and the range is up to 300 feet.