Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
Many of the latest vehicles have keyless entry systems that allow drivers to start and open their vehicle without using traditional metal keys. However criminals are taking advantage of this technology.
Thieves use simple devices accessible online to record the signal the fob transmits to the car. This allows them to drive away in a matter of seconds, then unlock the car and start it.
The Relay Attack
A criminal is simply standing near your car, using an instrument that can record the key fob's signal. When you pull the door handle the key fob broadcasts an alarm that asks "are you the owner of this vehicle?" The criminal's device beams this signal back to the key fob, luring it into thinking that its owner is nearby and unlocking the car. The criminal is then able to jump in, press the start button and drive away. The whole process can take only a few minutes and involves no forced entry.
This technique is referred to as a relay attack and it can be used on a variety of different models. The good news is that the technology that makes this type of hack possible is affordable and easily available online. This means that nearly all vehicles can be hackable.
The most well-known type of vehicle targeted is a high-end Range Rover, but any vehicle that has a keyless entry system is at risk. It is important to keep in mind that criminals don't really care in the car itself, but rather the valuable items inside, such as cash and electronic devices inside.
One of the easiest ways to stop this type of theft is by not leaving valuables in your vehicle. If you are required to leave them in a vehicle, make sure they're locked away in a glove box or trunk. You could also park your car between a less appealing vehicle and your garage in order to discourage thieves. Also, you can use a steering-wheel lock to stop criminals from starting the engine.
If you're concerned about a high-end vehicle being targeted, it's worth looking into an alarm. It won't stop criminals from stealing a vehicle however it increases the likelihood that police can locate and return it.
This isn't an original type of theft, but the speed and ease with the way it can be carried out has caused a lot of concern among motorists. It's a game of cat-and-mouse between security professionals and criminals and, as technology improves as does criminality, so will the tactics used. It is possible to take a few simple steps to stop car thefts with keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
When you use your key fob to lock and start your car, it transmits a radio signal to the car's computer that informs it that your keys are in the vicinity. However, crooks have found ways to hack this system that allows them to start the vehicle without holding the key in their hand.
To do this, thieves have been using devices that amplify the normally faint message that your fob transmits to the car to inform it that you're trying to unlock it or start it. The thieves transmit this signal to the key transponder of the car, which sends back a code telling the car whether to open doors or start the motor. The code is the same as the one you've got on your key fob, therefore the car believes it's a valid signal coming from your key fob.
The thief could copy that code, transfer it onto a blank key, and then drive away with your car. It's a relatively cheap process also. These devices are small enough to slide into your pocket, and can be purchased on the internet for around $3,000 or less. What can you do to protect yourself from these devices? Simple defences include placing your keys in a faraday cage or placing them in the refrigerator when you are at home.
Other methods include engraving the last seven digits of your VIN on the front and rear windows, making sure all electrical items are concealed and ensuring that valuables are away from view when you're not in your vehicle. The most important thing to remember is to be sure to lock your vehicle. Even if you're leaving it for a short period of time.
According to research conducted by Thatcham, car thefts that involve keyless entry are increasing. It's not surprising, considering the number of cars being taken away by clever thieves using advanced technology, at an all-time record.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are clever and have come up with some clever ways to steal cars. The good news is that security experts are striving to keep up, so it's never been easier to secure yourself from theft of keys.
A signal jammer is a sophisticated device that operates on the same frequency as the key fob. The device can be tucked in the pocket of the criminal or left in the driveway to prevent the car from being locked when the owner is using their key fob. This method could become more popular in the near future even though there isn't any evidence to suggest it is currently in use.
Another more dangerous method involves hacking into the system of your car, which is why it's crucial to ensure your car is running the latest software updates. The thieves can access the owner's app and start the vehicle from there, without the necessity of a key fob. If you've recently bought a used car, you should consider having the keys click here reprogrammed to make this more difficult.
If you are able, you could also stop thieves from entering a garage. This might not stop thieves from stealing your car, but it will make their task much more difficult as they will need to find a means to access the computer in the vehicle. It's also worth considering etching the last seven digits of your VIN onto the windows, mirrors and headlights, since this makes it harder for anyone to change the vehicle's identity in the future.
Finally, it's worth considering installing a security camera like those offered by the likes of Ring, Amazon Blink and Google Nest. These cameras can be used as a smart video-doorbell and are a great method of monitoring your vehicle when it is in a parking space outside. You can also consider a security light that can work with the cameras if you have a driveway. This will alert you to any movement in your driveway and will help deter thieves from trying to take cars off of the street.
The Stolen Key
Many car makers have replaced the traditional key with a proximity key that sends a signal and can start and open your car. But criminals have developed technology to hack into those systems, allowing them to steal cars without the fob or the button on the keypad.
The latest theft technique involves the use of what's known as a CAN bus attack, or controller area network attack. The CAN bus system permits different components of a vehicle to communicate, and is the most sophisticated attack against vehicles that do not have keys.
To target a vehicle with an attack on the CAN-bus, thieves must intercept the signals coming from the onboard diagnostics (OBD) port. This port is specifically designed to be used by professional diagnostic tools, but it is also accessible to thieves by inserting a special cable into it. This permits thieves to gain access to the computer code used to unlock and start the vehicle.
Shlisel claims it will take between 20-30 seconds to copy the signal of a car using the device, which is available online for less than $100. Afterwards, the crook can simply get into your car and take away.
In the past, criminals have hacked into vehicles by hijacking the radio signal that is used by the car's key fob to communicate with the onboard system. The criminals employ devices to collect the signal then amplify it and transmit it to a different device to duplicate the key fob's encryption code. That enables the crook to unlock your car and start it up, and then it's just a matter of taking off with the items inside.
As car security experts warn, the threat of theft through keyless keys is increasing as more vehicles are equipped with the technology. But even if you don't have a keyless-entered vehicle it is important to be aware especially when parking in a public area. Experts suggest that you park your car overnight in a garage or at least somewhere with a good security system such as motion detection lights and CCTV.
In addition, the best option is to keep your vehicle clean out of your vehicle - taking away valuable items such as Sat GPS units or mobile phones. In addition, you must make sure that you lock your car doors, and consider etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number onto your headlights or windows.