Why Car Stolen Keyless Entry Is More Dangerous Than You Thought

Wiki Article

Keyless Entry and Car Theft

Car theft is increasing and thieves have found new ways to gain access to vehicles. One of the most popular methods is keyless entry.

There is no longer a time when thieves broke windows and hotwired vehicles to steal. They can now hack into the computer systems of a vehicle in minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction to the Push-to Start technology, millions of people have been able to be able to start their cars without needing to search for a car key. However, this same convenience can make vehicles more vulnerable. Particularly, thieves have been able to use a new technique called the relay attack to steal cars in a matter of seconds. This method makes use of an instrument to amplify and capture the signal sent from your car's key fob, permitting thieves to unlock the car and drive away.

The relay attack is a variant of an older technique referred to as Man-in-the-Middle attacks. This kind of attack could be used in cybersecurity to intercept communication between two entities and alter it without knowing. In a relay attack the attacker uses an electronic device to record and transmit the signal from the key fob in your car to a device located nearby. This second device will unlock the door and start the engine of your vehicle in just a few just a few seconds.

To carry out an attack via relay criminals need only an affordable, easily accessible device that can pick up and amplify the signal emanating from your key fob. Usually, thieves operate in pairs, with one holding the relay amplifier, and the other one standing near the victim's house. The thief swizzles the device towards the victim's home, tricking the car into thinking the key is nearby.

Some experts recommend storing your key fob in a metal container, signal-blocking pouch or Faraday bag whenever not in use to avoid this kind of theft. However it is a straightforward solution that has been proven to not work against modern relay devices. The best option is to invest in an ignition lock for the steering wheel, which physically blocks the thief's ability to steer the vehicle after it is stolen.

Many car makers have attempted to resolve this issue by introducing features, such as secure keyless entry systems, which employ cryptographic techniques with time-sensitive codes to defend against relay attacks. Criminals have developed devices that are able to defeat these measures. As a result, the race is on to find a solution to criminals who use relays without compromising the convenience of keyless technology.

Hacking

Many new cars come with keyless entry systems that allow drivers to start and open their car without a physical button or key. These systems are vulnerable to a new kind of theft. Thieves could use electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and transmit it to a transmitter that is held by an accomplice who is near to the car. The thief is then able to unlock the vehicle and drive away. This method is called relay attack and can be accomplished in 20 to 30 seconds according to AAA.

Often, thieves can make use of inexpensive devices that mimic wireless key fob signals to collect the signal and relay it to a accomplice. When the victim clicks their key fob to unlock or start the vehicle, the thief could pretend to be the legitimate owner by transmitting a response to the car's system, making it think a genuine signal is being transmitted from the fob.

The more sophisticated thieves have created devices that can plug into the On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD), which is usually located beneath the steering wheel. This port permits mechanics to connect diagnostic tools. The thief then downloads information from the computer of the car and creates an unlocked key fob that matches the car's specifications. Nearly all cars are vulnerable to this kind of hacking.

Some criminals have even used TikTok challenges to instruct people on how to build cheap amplifiers that boost the signal from the key fob, and permit an accomplice to unlock the car from a distance while it's in the driveway. This method has led to manufacturers like Kia and Toyota to release software updates that prevent this vulnerability.

Experts recommend that you keep your keys to your car in a trunk or a place further away from home to ensure that thieves cannot easily gain access to the keys. You can also buy RFID pouches that help protect the signal from unauthorized use. Some of these pouches have metal mesh linings and are available at a price that is about $10. It is also essential to keep your car's software current and up to the latest version, just as you would on your smartphone and computer.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards

The latest car key fobs communicate with vehicles using radio signals, which allows owners of automobiles to unlock and start their vehicles without touching the key. These new technologies increase the risk of theft. The signal from a keyfob could be recorded if the fob is placed on a desk near the front door or in the wallet. Then, they can copy it with simple devices known as emulators, which are the size of handheld consoles. Once they have it, they can open the car and drive it away in just a few minutes.

The crooks typically operate in pairs. The crooks usually operate in pairs. One of them will be outside of your house with a relay amplifier and the other one will be carrying a device that receives a signal from a keyfob. The thieves will then amplify the signal to make it strong enough to be able to bypass security systems in your car.

Another method of securing key fobs is by blocking the communication between key fob and the vehicle. Thieves do this by using signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as the key fob. This confuses the signal, which prevents it from reaching the car, which stops the lock button from functioning.

Dealers in the auto industry must be on guard to safeguard their inventory as thieves get more sophisticated. Dealerships must install high-security perimeter fencing with cameras and a secure entrance to ensure that thieves aren't able to drive on flatbeds with vehicles after hours. They should also instruct employees on proper key handling practices and lock vehicles securely and storing them in a safe location when not in use.

Luckily, technology is working to combat these new thieves and to prevent car thefts. Some car manufacturers are working on key fobs with active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology, which makes it harder for thieves to amplify the signal from the keys. Faraday cages are another method to block signals from a keyfob's to the car. Other options include etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the headlights, windows, and mirrors to prevent the reuse or re-sale of your vehicle.

VIN Theft

While keyless entry is great for convenience but it also opens up new opportunities for thieves to rob vehicles. If your car recognizes the signal from your remote or wireless key fob, it will open the door and start the engine. If the signal is not recognized, your car will lock, but it won't start. This is due to the fact that you have to have the key in your hands to press a button on the fob to start the starter.

This is why it's important to keep your key fob and remote out of view, even when your car is in a parking spot. A criminal could use a tiny transmitter device to detect your signal and hijack it. Then, he can open your door without touching the ignition or the key.

Criminals can even swap out the VIN and the title of a stolen vehicle to conceal their involvement. This practice is known as VIN switching and is currently on the rise. The thieves typically purchase damaged vehicles at auction or from the police department, and then modify the VIN. They then use the legitimate VIN of a different make and model to get a new title and registration and then sell it to unsuspecting buyers.

The VIN is a popular way to deter theft. There are a number of companies that offer kits to do this, and in certain areas, the police department or AAA offers this service for no cost. It is a bit counterintuitive to think that etching can discourage thieves, since it makes your vehicle more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. Professional thieves will here stay away from your car due to the fact that they know that etching is a significant obstacle to their pursuit.

The NICB also provides a free VINCheck online service that will determine whether your vehicle has been reported as a salvaged or stolen and is not yet recovered. The service requires an active VIN to perform a search and is available through their website. Additionally, a vast variety of crime-deterring products are available for your vehicle as well as visible and audible devices that act as a deterrent to criminals. These include alarms and locks for the steering wheel and window etching.