Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
Many of the latest cars come with keyless entry systems that allow drivers to open and start their car without the need for traditional keys made of metal. However criminals are taking advantage of this technology.
The thieves employ simple devices that are accessible online to record signals sent by the fob to the car. This allows them to leave in a matter of seconds, open the car and start it.
The Relay Attack
A criminal can simply stand by your car and use a device to capture the signal of the key fob. The key fob sends an alert to the device used by the criminal, which sends it the signal. The criminal then can jump into the car, press the starter button and drive off. The entire process can be completed in less than minutes, and there is no requirement to force entry.
This technique is known as a relay attack and it can be used on many different models. The good news is that the technology that makes this type of hack possible can be easily purchased online. This means that almost all vehicles are vulnerable.
The most popular type of vehicle that is targeted by criminals is the premium Range Rover. However, any car that has a keyless entry is also at risk. Be aware that criminals are not interested in the vehicle itself, but the valuable things inside such as electronic gadgets and cash.
The easiest way to prevent this type of theft is to not leave any valuables in your vehicle. If you have to put them in a vehicle be sure that they're locked away in a glove box or trunk. You could also try parking your car between a second less coveted vehicle and your garage to discourage thieves, or use a steering wheel lock to prevent the criminal from starting the engine.
If you're worried about a luxury vehicle being targeted, then you might want to taking a look at the use of a tracker. It's not going to stop criminals from stealing your car however it can increase the odds of the police being able to retrieve and return it.
Although this isn't a brand new type of theft, the fact that it can be done so quickly and easily has caused a lot of concern amongst car owners. It's a cat-and-mouse game between security professionals and thieves and as technology advances, so too will criminal tactics. It is possible to take a few simple measures to avoid car thefts using keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
When you use your key fob to start and lock your car, the computer in the vehicle receives a radio alert which informs it that your keys are near. But criminals have discovered ways to hack into this system, that allows them to start the vehicle without holding the key in their hand.
To do this, thieves have been using devices to amplify the typically faint message that your fob sends to the car to inform it that you're trying to unlock or start it. The thieves transmit this message to the key transponder of the car, which sends back a code that tells the car whether to open doors or start the motor. This code is the same as the one that's on your key fob, therefore the car is convinced that 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 vehicle. It's a relatively cheap process, too. These devices can be bought on the internet for less than $3,000 and are small enough to be stuffed into a pocket. What can you do to protect yourself from these devices? Simple defenses include putting your keys in a faraday cage or keeping them in the refrigerator when you're at home.
Other measures include putting away all electrical devices and keeping valuables hidden when you're not in your car. Perhaps the most important thing is to make sure you always, ensure that you lock your car, even if it's only for a short time.
According to research conducted by Thatcham, keyless entry vehicle theft is on the rise. It's not a surprise that the number of vehicles burgled by sophisticated thieves using the latest technologies is at a high.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are inventive and have come up with clever methods to steal vehicles. It's a good thing to know that security experts are working hard to keep up and make it easier than ever before to secure yourself against keyless theft.
One of the more sophisticated techniques involves a gadget known as a signal jammer which emits at the same frequency as your key fob. This can be sat in the thief's pocket or left somewhere in the drive. It stops the car from being unlocked when the owner is using the key fob. This technique could be more popular in the near future even though there's no evidence that it is currently widely used.
Hacking the car's software is another more dangerous method. This is why you should always ensure that your car is running the latest software updates. The thieves are able to connect to the app of the owner and start the vehicle from there, without the requirement for an ignition key. If you've recently bought a secondhand car, consider having the keys reprogrammed to make this more difficult.
If possible, you can also discourage thieves by parking in a garage. This won't stop thieves from stealing your car, but it will make their job more difficult since they will need to find an access point to the computer in the vehicle. Consider etching your VIN's last seven digits onto the windows, headlights, and mirrors. This will make it harder for thieves to alter the identity of the vehicle.
It's also a good idea to install a security system like the ones available from Ring, Amazon Blink, and Google Nest. These cameras can also be utilized as a smart video-doorbell, and are an excellent way to monitor your vehicle when it is parked outside. It is also possible to consider a security light that can work with the cameras in the event that you have an outdoor driveway. This will alert you to any activity in your driveway. This will discourage thieves from attempting to lift cars off the street.
The Stolen Key
Many car makers have replaced the traditional key with the proximity key, which transmits a signal and can start and open your car. But criminals have created click here technology to hack into these systems which allows them to take cars away without using the fob or the button on the key pad.
Researchers have devised a brand new method of theft that is based on what they call a CAN attack, or controller network attack. The CAN bus system allows different components of a vehicle to communicate, and is the most sophisticated method of attack against vehicles that do not have keys.
To target a vehicle with a CAN bus attack criminals must be able to be able to intercept the signals from the car's onboard diagnostics port (OBD). This port was designed to be used by professional diagnostic tools. However, criminals can access it by inserting an unprotected cable. This permits thieves to gain access to the computer code used to unlock and start the car.
It can take 20 to 30 seconds to copy the signal of a vehicle using a device available online for less than $100, Shlisel says. The criminal will then gain access to your vehicle and drive it off.
Criminals have in the past hacked into cars using hijacked radio signals used by key fob in the car to communicate with the onboard system. The crooks make use of devices to collect the signal, amplify it, and transmit it to a different device to clone key fob's encryption code. The crook will then be able to unlock your car, start it and drive off with the contents.
Security experts in the field of car security warn that the threat of keyless theft grows as more models are equipped with the technology. But even if you don't possess a car with a keyless entry system it is important to be aware especially when parking in public spaces. Experts suggest that you park your car overnight in a garage or at the very least, in a place with a good security system such as motion detection lights and CCTV.
In addition the most effective thing you can do is to keep a clear of your car - removing valuables like Sat GPS units or mobile phones. It is also recommended to secure your car's doors and consider engraving the last seven digits on your vehicle identification number onto your windows or headlights.