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Security 101: Definition of Terms

Visiting a vehicle security retail shop can be a confusing experience if you are not familiar with the jargon of the trade. You get this suave and sophisticated salesperson throwing terms you may not have ever heard. It's tough enough to understand how some of these products work; you don't want to be confused by the explanation, too.

Well, it is time for Security-ese 101. What will follow is a glossary of terms -- a list of definitions of words commonly used by vehicle security sales personnel. Most of the words are generic and are used by the entire trade. Some words or terms are exclusive to particular manufacturers. When such a term is defined, the name of the manufacturer *** with the term or word will appear.

Not every one of the companies that offer vehicle security products are represented in this listing. However, some of the largest companies are. They include: Avital, Clifford, Crimestopper, Directed Electronics, and Omega Research & Development.

Active Arming -- The action of arming a security system by pushing a button on a remote control transmitter.

Active and Passive Door Lock -- Doors lock when the alarm is armed via remote or when the alarm is passively armed.

Alarm Cycle -- The amount of time the alarm sounds after it has been tripped or triggered. On many alarms this can be set by the owner. On other alarms the duration is about 2 minutes.

Anti-Scan Technology -- Thieves use a device called a digital code scanner. This machine rapidly transmits one remote control transmitter code after another until it hits on one that disarms an alarm system. Manufacturers of alarm systems have come up with technology that makes the scanner ineffective.

Arm -- The act of turning on a security system so that it will respond to an intrusion on the vehicle it is protecting.

Armed -- The state in which a security system is prepared to respond to an intrusion on the vehicle it is protecting.

Arming Delay -- The period of time between arming a security system and the time that system is actually prepared to respond to an attack. This term is commonly *** with passive arming alarms and refers to the delay time between when the driver takes his key out of the ignition and opens and closes the door as he exits the vehicle and when the alarm is actually armed.

Audio Sensor -- A device that senses breaking glass.

AutoStart™ (Clifford) -- A feature that appears on Clifford alarm systems that have remote start. It permits the system to start the engine of the vehicle automatically under three conditions. One, Battery Mode, the system monitors the battery for an extended period of time. If the voltage drops below a preset level, the system automatically starts the engine to recharge the battery. Two, Temperature Mode, the system is set to start the engine if the temperature drops below 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Three, Dual Mode, the system monitors the engine temperature and the voltage level and automatically starts the engine when either the battery needs charging or the temperature drops below 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Auto Lock/Unlock -- When the ignition is turned on the doors automatically lock. When the ignition is turned off and the key is taken out of the ignition switch, the doors unlock.

Auxiliary Channel -- An extra channel of the alarm system not *** to a function by the manufacturer. An installer can add a convenience feature on this channel. The feature can be remote start, trunk release, head light turn on, etc.

Battery Back Up -- A separate battery added to an alarm system as an accessory to serve as a "back up" should the car's battery fail to supply power to the alarm.

Beach Mode Remoteless Protection (Crimestopper) -- In the event that the transmitter is lost or it is inconvenient to carry it, this feature allows you to arm and disarm the alarm system using the vehicle key.

Blackjax (Clifford) -- See Vehicle Recovery Integration.

Brain -- A term referring to the control unit or microprocessor of the alarm system.

Bypass Switch -- Usually a hidden switch that allows the owner of a vehicle to bypass or turn off the alarm system if he or she loses the transmitter.

Car Locator -- On some alarm systems if you push a button on the transmitter, the alarm will sound and the car's lights will flash. This feature is meant to help you find your vehicle in a crowded parking lot.

Channel -- Defines how many functions an alarm's remote control transmitter can command. Arm, disarm, and panic is usually performed by one channel. Other functions are controlled through their own channels.

Chirp -- A short, sharp sound that the alarm's siren makes. The sound is reminisced of a bird chirping and is meant to confirm that the alarm has been armed, disarmed,  that there is a faulty trigger, or that there was an intrusion attempt while the alarm was armed.

Chirp Muting -- See Silent Mode.

Chirp Cancelling -- See Silent Mode.  

Code -- A digitized signal exclusively *** to each remote control transmitter.

Coding -- The process of matching signals from a transmitter to the receiver of an alarm system so that they can "recognize" or "communicate" with each other.

Code Grabbing -- The process in which a thief uses a special device to "record" a code that is being transmitted by a remote control transmitter. The thief can later re-play the code causing the alarm system to be disarmed.

Code Hopping™ (Directed Electronics) -- See Code Jumping.

Code Jumping™ (Omega) -- A description of technology that permits a remote control transmitter to broadcast a different code every time it is used. This *** that code grabbing is ineffective.

Code Learning -- The ability of an alarm system to learn the code of a new transmitter. On the newer alarms this is done through the remote transmitter itself. On most security systems with this feature, four codes can be learned. This means that the system will respond to the command of up to four transmitters. So one transmitter can work alarm systems on more than one car.

Current Sensing -- The ability of some alarm systems to sense changes in the current draw of a car's electrical system. A drop in current may signify that a door has been opened and the courtesy light has turned on. The alarm senses this and triggers or sounds.

Data Link (Crimestopper) -- Technology that allows the mating of accessory modules to the microprocessor of an alarm system without duplicating wires.

DIP Switch -- A dual inline pin switch. A singular or set of miniaturized on/off switches. Older and less expensive alarms use this to program features.

Disarmed -- The state in which a security system is off. It will not respond to an intrusion.

Door Pinswitch -- A factory switch that turns on the dome light when the door is opened. Similar switches turn on lights in the engine compartment and trunk. Installers incorporate these switches into the alarm system so that the alarm can sense when the doors, trunk, or hood has been opened. If a car is not equipped with a trunk or hood pinswitch, one can be added.  

Driver Door Priority (Omega) -- Describes the process of a remote control transmitter unlocking only the driver's door while leaving all other doors of the vehicle locked. Transmitting another signal from the transmitter (depending on the system) will unlock the rest of the doors.

Dual Stage Sensor -- A sensor that detects two stages of attack on the vehicle -- a light attack or a major intrusion. If a shock sensor is used and it senses a light attack, the siren will emit a short burst to warn the intruder. If the vehicle is experiencing a major intrusion, the siren will sound for up to two minutes. If a microwave sensor is involved, the siren will burst a warning if an intruder enters a field of protection around the car and sound a full alarm if the intruder enters the vehicle.

Dynamic Coding (Crimestopper) -- See Code Jumping.

Entry Delay -- The period of time between the alarm system detecting an entry of the vehicle and the time the alarm reacts or sounds. Commonly a feature of passive arming alarms.

Exit Delay -- See Arming Delay.

Expansion Module -- A module that can be added to an auxiliary output of an alarm system to add two or three more outputs or channels. These outputs are commonly used to work convenience features including trunk release, remote start, seat positioning, the stereo, hydraulics, motorized compartments, etc.

FACT™ False Alarm Control and Test (Clifford) -- Technology exclusive to Clifford which *** that false alarms are minimized. If an improperly adjusted sensor causes the alarm to sound, the system will check for another activated trigger before sounding the siren a second time.

False Alarm -- The alarm system sounds but no intrusion has taken place. A false alarm can occur during a rain storm, when a motorcycle passes the vehicle, during an earthquake, when a cat jumps on to the vehicle, inside a subterranean or airport parking lot,  etc.

Flashing Light Output -- A part of an alarm system that causes the vehicle's parking lights to flash.

Ghost Switch™ (Directed Electronics) -- A feature that requires you to turn on a factory switch like the lights, turn signal, or brake a certain number of times to bypass the alarm system.

Glass Breaking Sensor -- See Audio Sensor.

Immobilizer -- A device that cuts off the starter, ignition, or fuel system so the vehicle can't start.

Keyless Entry -- A function controlled by a remote control transmitter that unlocks and locks the doors of a vehicle without using a key.

Last Door Arming -- A term that describes an alarm's ability to arm automatically by detecting the vehicle's door being opened and closed.

LED -- Light Emitting Diode. An electrical component that lights up when electricity flows through it. Commonly used as an indicator light to show when the alarm is armed. It is also used to indicate if there had been an intrusion while the alarm was armed and shows by flashing what zone (door, trunk, hood, sensor) was tripped to cause the alarm to sound.

Map Protection (Crimestopper) -- Part of the valet park mode, this feature incapacitates vehicle accessories. It ensures that a valet parking attendant cannot use such things in your car as the cellular phone or stereo.

Mercury Switch -- A switch that includes a sealed chamber with mercury and electrical contacts. Mercury is a conductive, liquid metallic element. When tilted, the mercury flows to the contact activating an electrical circuit and causing the alarm to sound.

Microwave Sensor -- Also referred to as a radar sensor. A device that emits microwave signals and detects when the waves are disturbed.

Multiple Car Control -- The ability of a remote control transmitter to command alarms on more than one vehicle.

Multi-Tone Siren -- A noisemaker that makes sounds in a variety of tones. Some multi-tone sirens permit you to choose a tone which is played when the alarm sounds and others do not permit you to choose a tone, but rather play a number of tones when the alarm sounds.  

Nuisance Prevention Circuitry™ (Directed Electronics) -- A function that minimizes false alarms. If a zone activates three times within 60 minutes, that zone is shut down and the other zones remain active. The zone that has been shut off comes back on after 60 minutes if there are no further problems detected.

OEM -- Abbreviation for Original Equipment Manufacturer. This refers to the manufacturer of a vehicle or the manufacturer of a component that is part of a vehicle when purchased from a dealership.

Owner Recognition (Directed Electronics) -- The ability of the security system to determine what features the user wants to be active simply by the signal it receives from the transmitter. This allows one spouse to disarm the alarm and for the alarm to automatically have the features that she likes and for the second spouse to disarm the same alarm and for that alarm to automatically have the features that he likes.

Pager System -- A security device that pages you when an intrusion is taking place on your vehicle.

Panic --  A personal protection feature which can be activated when the user pushes a button on the remote control transmitter. When the button is pushed the alarm system is instantly activated. The siren sounds and the car's lights flash. It is meant to attract attention and cause a potential thief or mugger to flee.

Passive Arming -- The process of arming an alarm automatically. Usually this is done by simply removing the key from the ignition, opening the door and exiting the vehicle, and closing the door.

Passive Locking -- A feature that locks the doors when the alarm is armed passively.

Patented Smart AutoTesting™ (Clifford) -- When you arm a Clifford alarm system with the remote transmitter you will hear warning chirps to indicate that the alarm is arming while the hood or trunk is open or when a trigger or sensor is malfunctioning. The system will identify the problem so that you can alert an installer when you take your car back to the shop to repair the faulty trigger or sensor.

PC Compatible (Directed Electronics) -- The ability to program a vehicle security system with a PC computer. At this time, only Directed Electronics products have this ability.

Plain View™ Valet Switch (Clifford) -- A uniquely designed valet switch exclusive to Clifford Electronics. The rocker switch requires you to tap in a personal identification number or code from 1 to 9 in order to bypass or turn off the alarm system. The code can be three digits in length.

QuietChirp™ (Clifford) --  A feature that allows you to select the volume of the confirmation chirps.

Quick InterConnect Harness (Omega) -- An adapter harness device designed for specific applications which allows making wiring connections in a vehicle without cutting or stripping wires.

Rearming -- Describes the process of an alarm system being triggered to sound and flash the vehicle's lights for a period of time then stop and rearm to detect further intrusion attempts. It also refers to when the alarm is disarmed and then rearms after a certain period of time if a door of the vehicle is not opened. This *** that the vehicle remains protected if the alarm is accidentally disarmed.

Receiver -- A part of an alarm system that receives the signal from the transmitter.

Remote -- A word commonly used to describe a remote control transmitter.

Remote Control Transmitter -- A device with a button or series of buttons that transmits radio frequency signals to the alarm's receiver.

Remote Panic -- See Panic.

Remote Start -- Describes a function that allows you to start the engine of a vehicle by striking a button or series of buttons on a remote control transmitter.

Remote Valet® (Directed Electronics) -- The ability to activate the valet mode via the remote control transmitter. Remote Valet® turns security off but leaves the convenience on. See Valet Mode.

Shock Sensor -- A device that detects shock to the vehicle.

ShortStop™ (Clifford) -- A feature on Clifford systems that have remote start. Just press a button on the remote control transmitter while the engine is still on and you can remove your key from the ignition, exit the vehicle, remotely lock the doors and arm the alarm without shutting off the engine.

Silent Mode -- Many alarms allow you to turn off the confirmation chirps. In this case, the flashing lights of the car confirms when the alarm is arming or disarming. This *** that noise will not disturb neighbors.

Siren -- A noisemaking device meant to attract attention.

Soft Chirp (Directed Electronics) -- When the alarm arms or disarms, the audible confirmation chirps will be 6 dB lower in volume than a full siren sound.

Start Lock (Omega) -- Describes a feature whereby an alarm system will lock the doors when the ignition is turned on. In most cases, the alarm will also unlock the doors when the ignition is turned off.

Starter Interrupt -- A device which is commonly a part of alarm systems that mechanically and electrically opens or interrupts the starter circuit of a vehicle so that the vehicle cannot be started.

Stealth Coding™ (Avital) -- See Code Jumping.

Stolen Remote Erasure (Avital) -- A feature that permits you to erase the code of a lost or stolen remote control transmitter from the alarm system's memory so that the missing remote can never be used to disarm the system.

Total Recall -- The ability of the alarm to indicate by flashes of the LED indicator and/or a number of chirps from the siren the identity of the last number of triggers. Some systems have a memory for eight triggers, some alarms have a memory of less than eight.

Transmitter -- See Remote Control Transmitter.

Transmitter Verification™ (Omega) -- A patent-pending feature whereby every time the ignition switch is turned on, the alarm's LED status indicator flashes a number of times equal to the number of transmitters coded to the alarm. If the number of flashes is not equal to the number of authorized transmitters, the vehicle owner is aware that the security has been compromised and may take appropriate action before a crime occurs.

Trigger -- A term that describes a vehicle security system's circuit or input which, when stimulated, will cause the system to react or sound.

Triggered --  The act of a security system sensing an intrusion and reacting or sounding as a result.

Trip --  See Triggered.

Trunk Release -- A function that allows you to pop open the trunk of a vehicle by pushing a button on a remote control transmitter.

Valet Mode -- A condition of the alarm system whereby the alarm will not arm actively or passively. Some systems permit the continued protection of parts of the car like the glove box and/or the trunk. If these compartments are tampered with, the alarm may still sound. This feature permits a valet parking lot attendant to drive the car or a mechanic to work on the car without effecting the alarm.

Valet Park (Crimestopper) -- See Valet Mode.

Vector Programming (Crimestopper) -- Software used in Crimestopper security systems that allow an installer to customize the system for individual customers. Any remote function can be *** to any remote transmitter's button or functions *** to outputs by the factory can be changed to perform different functions.

Vehicle Recovery Integration™ (Omega) -- A form of anti-carjacking protection. This feature will automatically activate the security system's siren and the vehicle's lights and should the vehicle stop and its engine is turned off, the starter interrupt will engage so the car cannot be started.

Vehicle Recovery System (Directed Electronics) -- See Vehicle Recovery Integration.

Warn Away -- See Dual Stage Sensor.

Window Automation -- A feature of an alarm that rolls up the windows when the alarm is armed by the remote control transmitter. Depending on the installation, you may also be able to open the windows with the remote control transmitter.

Zones -- This refers to the trigger points of an alarm system -- the doors, trunk, hood, and sensors.