You can’t even see it (unless you happen to carry a black light or a microscope in your back pocket, that is), but there is a new technology coming onto the market that can protect your car from theft. Thousands of transparent bytes of personal information are etched onto tiny (sand grain-sized) dots which are then glued to the surface of your car. A single car can accommodate nearly 5,000 dots. And even if a thief knew where each and every dot was located, by the time they finished sanding all of them off, the car’s value for parts would be moot.

The technology for DataDots was developed in Australia, which has the dubious distinction of being the car theft capital of the developed world, but it is quickly gaining notoriety in other parts of the world. While not yet well known to the general public in the United States, the technology is already being used by several American car racing teams to protect their valuable vehicles and tools from car theft.

The information that will be laser etched on the Dots can be customized, and when purchased, a Personal Identification Number (PIN) will be provided. After the Dots are applied on your vehicle, your registration of the PIN number means that your vehicle is protected. A sticker placed in your windshield warns would-be thieves of the data protection features (somewhere) on your vehicle.

The application of DataDots may not warrant an anti-theft discount by your insurance company, but more and more insurers are coming on board, so it’s worth a phone call to ask.

Another effective deterrent, though slightly more conspicuous, would be the words, “My Car” spray-painted in magenta on the hood and doors. Of course, no one but you will want to ride in it, but that includes a potential car thief, so… congratulations! Mission accomplished!