An internet how-to video that shows thieves how to break in and out of garages in seconds has over a million hits online, and that has police worried.

Criminals who know how to activate the emergency door release on garage doors with windows can be inside in an alarmingly short amount of time.

"Ten to 15 seconds," Home security expert Frank Fourchalk said.

Fourchalk says he's seen four garage break-in cases in the past month.

"The worst loss was a very high-end vehicle," he said, adding that the car disappeared from a locked garage.

Once the garage door is sprung open, a thief can be in and out in seconds.

The break-in technique leaves no traces, so when your garage door closes it locks back into place -- so you may not even know they've been there until you notice something missing and wonder how it happened.

Mounties say it's disappointing anyone would post something showing criminals how to better their craft.

"I was a little shocked, as I'm sure most people are to see how easily that can be done," Corporal Drew Grainger with the Surrey RCMP said.

CTV News is not revealing some critical steps that are necessary to break into a garage, but we will tell you how to prevent it from happening to you.

Fourchalk says putting a zap strap through the emergency release will prevent a would-be thief from opening the door from the outside.

The strap goes through the two holes, one on the top and one in the emergency release handle.

You pull it tight and the emergency release is secure. A hard tug from below the door will snap the zap strap but it will still prevent anyone outside from tripping the release.

"It's secure and still functional," Fourchalk said. "It doesn't cost anything to the homeowner to prevent this from happening."

RCMP say their statistics show being proactive can help prevent you from being a victim.

"Using some of those other preventative means such as motion detector lights, making neighbours aware of people who can be expected to visit around the property and keeping an eye on each others' property," Cpl. Grainger said.

A frosted security film on the inside of garage door glass can also lessen the chance of a break-in. You can also buy special glass paint to cover it.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen