Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
Many of the latest vehicles have keyless entry systems which allow drivers to open and start their vehicle without the traditional keys made of metal. However criminals are taking advantage of this technology.
Thieves are using a simple device that can be found online to capture the signal that the fob sends to the car. This allows them to get away in a matter of seconds, open the car and start it.
The Relay Attack
A criminal could simply stand near your car and use a device to capture the signal of the key fob. When you pull your door handle the key fob sends an alert that asks "are you the owner of this vehicle?" The criminal's device beams this response back to the key fob, tricking it into thinking the owner is nearby, and then unlocks the car. The criminal can then enter, press the start button and drive away. The whole process can take just minutes and involves no need for force entry.
This method is referred to as a relay attack, and it can be utilized on a variety of different models. The good thing is that the technology that makes this type of hacking possible can be easily purchased online. This means that almost all vehicles are vulnerable.
The most popular type of vehicle targeted by criminals is a premium Range Rover. However, any car that has a keyless access is also at risk. Be aware that criminals aren't focused on the car it self, but in the valuable items inside like cash and electronic gadgets.
The easiest way to prevent this type of theft is to never leave valuables in your vehicle. If you must leave them in the car, secure them in the glove box or trunk. You can also park your vehicle between a vehicle that isn't as desirable and your garage in order to discourage thieves. Or, you can employ a lock for the steering wheel to stop thieves from starting the engine.
If you're worried about a luxury vehicle being targeted, then it might be worth taking a look at a tracker. It won't stop criminals from stealing your car however it can increase the odds of the police being able retrieve and return it.
It's not an original type of theft but the ease and speed with the speed at which it can be done has raised concerns among car owners. It's a game of cat and mouse between security professionals and criminals, and as technology advances and criminal strategies evolve, so do the tactics. Luckily you can take simple steps to prevent car theft by using keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
When you use your key fob to open and lock your vehicle, the computer inside the vehicle receives a radio signal which informs it that your keys are near. Hackers have found ways to hack into the system and open the door without keys.
To accomplish this, thieves have been using devices that amplify the typically faint message that your fob transmits to the car to inform it that you're trying to unlock it or start it. They then relay that message to the key transponder in your car, which then sends back an encrypted code that informs it to open the doors or start the engine. This code is identical as the one that's on your key fob, so 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 leave with your vehicle. It's also a relatively affordable process. These devices are small enough to slide into pockets, and can be purchased online for around $3,000 or less. How can you safeguard yourself from these devices? Simple defences include placing your keys in a faraday cage, or leaving them in the refrigerator when you're at home.
Other options include engraving the last seven digits of your VIN on the windows in the rear and front as well as making sure that all electrical devices are covered and keeping valuables away from view when not in your vehicle. But perhaps the most important thing is to make sure you always, always lock your car, even if it's only for a short time.
According to research conducted by Thatcham, keyless entry vehicle theft is a growing problem. It's not surprising, considering the number of vehicles being taken away by clever thieves who use advanced technology, at an all-time high.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are a creative bunch, and they've come up with clever ways to get in and take vehicles. It's good to know that security experts are working hard to keep pace, so it is easier than ever to protect yourself from theft of keys.
A signal jammer is a sophisticated trick that uses the same frequency as the key fob. It can be placed in the pocket of the thief or hidden in the drive. It also stops the car from unlocking when the owner has the key fob. This method could become more popular in the future, even though there is no evidence to suggest that it is currently in use.
Another more sinister trick involves hacking into the system of your car, which is why it's essential to ensure your car is running the latest software updates. Thieves can then log into the owner's app and begin to start the car from there, without the need for a key fob. It is worth reprogramming the keys when you recently bought a used vehicle.
If you can, you can also discourage thieves by parking in garages. This might not hinder thieves from taking your vehicle, but it will make their job more difficult since they will have to find ways to gain access to the computer in the vehicle. Consider writing the VIN's last seven digits onto the windows, headlights, and mirrors. This will make it difficult for thieves to alter the identity of the vehicle.
It's also worth installing a security system such as those available from Ring, Amazon Blink, and Google Nest. They can also serve as a smart video doorbell and can be a great tool to keep an eye on your car while it's parked outside. It is also possible to consider a security light that works with the cameras in the event that you have a driveway. It will notify you when there is any movement in your driveway, and deter thieves who might attempt to remove cars from the street.
The Stolen Key
Many car manufacturers have replaced the physical key with a proximity key that transmits a signal and can start and unlock your car. Criminals have developed technology that enables them to hack into these systems and steal vehicles without fobs or a button on the keypad.
The latest theft technique involves using what researchers call the CAN bus attack, or controller area network attack. The CAN bus system allows various parts of a car to communicate, check here and is the most sophisticated attack against keyless cars.
To attack a car using an attack on the CAN bus the thieves must take over the signals coming from the car's onboard diagnostics port (OBD). This port is designed for the use of professional diagnostic tools, however it is also accessible to criminals by putting a special cable into it. This allows thieves to access the computer code used to unlock and start the vehicle.
It can take anywhere from 20 to 30 seconds to duplicate a vehicle's signal using an online-based device that costs less than 100 dollars, Shlisel says. The crook will then enter your vehicle and then drive it away.
Criminals have hacked into cars by hijacking radio signals that are used by the key fob in the car to communicate with its onboard system. The crooks make use of devices to intercept the signal, amplify it, and then transmit it to a different device to duplicate the key fob's encryption code. This enables the crooks unlock your car and then start it up, and then it's a matter of driving off with whatever is inside the.
As experts in car security warn, the risk of theft through keyless keys is increasing as manufacturers outfit more models with the technology. Even if your vehicle is not keyless, it is still advisable to be aware, particularly when you park it in a public area. Experts recommend that you park your car overnight in a garage or at a minimum, somewhere with a good security system like motion detection lights and CCTV.
You should also take away valuables from your vehicle, like mobile phones or Sat Navs. Also, you should lock your car doors and think about engraving the last seven digits on your vehicle's identification number onto your windows or headlights.