The Main Issue With Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry, And How You Can Solve It
The Main Issue With Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry, And How You Can Solve It
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Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
Many newer vehicles feature keyless entry systems which allow drivers to start and open their vehicle without traditional keys made of metal. The technology is being exploited by thieves.
The thieves employ simple equipment that is available online to capture signals that are sent by the fob to the car. This allows them to open the car, start it and drive off in minutes.
The Relay Attack
A criminal simply stands in front of your car using the help of a device that captures the key fob's signal. The key fob transmits an indication to the device of the criminal that tells it the response. The criminal then has the option to jump in, press the start button, and drive away. The entire procedure can be completed in less than minutes, and there's no need to force entry.
This method, also known as a "relay attack", can be used with a variety of models. The good thing is that the technology that makes this kind of hack possible is cheap and easy to buy online. This means that almost all vehicles are at risk.
The most popular kind of vehicle targeted by criminals is a premium Range Rover. However, any car that has a keyless access is also at risk. It is important to keep in mind that criminals aren't necessarily interested in the car itself, but rather the valuable items like electronic devices and cash inside.
One of the easiest methods to avoid this kind of theft is by not leaving valuables in your vehicle. If you must leave them in the car, put them in a lock in the trunk or glove box. You could also try parking your vehicle between a less popular vehicle and your garage to deter thieves. You can also use a steering wheel lock to prevent the criminal from beginning the engine.
Trackers are a good investment if you're worried about your luxury vehicle being targeted. It's not going to stop criminals from stealing your car but it will increase the likelihood of the police being able find and return it.
Although this isn't a brand new form of theft but the fact that it can be done so quickly and easily has raised alarm amongst motorists. It's a game of cat and mouse between security professionals and criminals, and as technology advances, so will criminal tactics. You can take a few easy measures to prevent car thefts using keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
When you use the key fob to open and lock your vehicle, the computer inside the vehicle receives a radio signal which informs it that your keys are close by. Hackers have found ways to hack the system and start the car without a key.
The thieves employ devices that amplify the weak signal your fob sends the car when you attempt to unlock it or start it. They then relay that message to the key transponder of the car and it then transmits a cryptographic code that tells it whether to open the doors or start the engine. This code is the same as the one that's on your key fob, therefore the car thinks 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 as well. The devices can be purchased on the internet for less than $3,000 and are small enough to fit in pockets. What can you do to protect yourself from these devices? Simple ways to protect yourself include placing your keys in a faraday cage, or keeping them in the refrigerator when you are at home.
Other options include engraving the last seven digits of your VIN on the front and rear windows as well as making sure that all electrical items are hidden and ensuring that valuables are out of sight when you're not in your vehicle. The most important thing to keep in mind is to be sure to lock your car. Even if you're only going away for a few moments.
According to research by Thatcham, keyless entry vehicle theft is becoming a major issue. It's not surprising that the amount of vehicles stolen by sophisticated thieves using the latest technologies is at an all-time peak.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are a savvy group and have come up with some clever ways to get in and steal vehicles. It's good to be aware that security experts are constantly working to keep up with the times and make it easier than ever to protect yourself from theft via keyless keys.
One of the more sophisticated techniques involves a gadget known as a signal jammer which emits on the same frequency as your key fob. This device can be placed in the pocket of the thief or tucked away in the driveway to stop the car from being locked when the owner uses their key fob. Although there's no evidence that this method is used widely at the moment but it could become more widespread in the future.
Hacking the car's software is another more dangerous technique. This is why you should make sure that your vehicle has the most up-to-date software updates. The thieves could connect to the app of the owner and start the vehicle from there without the necessity of an ignition key. It is worth reprogramming the keys when you recently bought an used car.
You can also assist in preventing thieves by parking your vehicle in a garage, if possible. While this may not hinder them from stealing your vehicle, it can make their job more difficult since they'll need an access point to the computer in your car. It's also worth considering engraving the seven digits that make up your VIN onto the mirrors, windows and headlights, as this will make it more difficult for anyone to alter the identity of the vehicle in the future.
Also, you should consider installing a security camera, such as those available from the likes of Ring, Amazon Blink and Google Nest. These cameras can be utilized as a smart video-doorbell, and are an excellent option to monitor your car when it is in a parking space outside. If you have a driveway, you could also look into a security floodlight which integrates with these cameras. This will notify you of any movements in your driveway. It can stop thieves from trying to lift cars website off the street.
The Stolen Key
Many car manufacturers have replaced the traditional key with a proximity key that transmits signals and can begin and open your car. Criminals have developed technology that allows them to hack these systems and steal vehicles without fobs or a button on the keypad.
The latest theft technique involves using what researchers call a CAN bus attack, or controller area network attack. The CAN bus is the system that allows various parts of the car to communicate with one with each other, and is the most sophisticated security threat to keyless cars.
To take on a vehicle with an attack on the CAN-bus, thieves must be able to intercept signals from the onboard diagnostics (OBD) port. This port was designed to be used by professional diagnostic tools. However, criminals can access it by putting in a cable. This permits thieves to read your car's computer's code that it uses to unlock and begin your car.
Shlisel claims that it can take between 20-30 seconds to replicate the signal of a vehicle with an online device that costs less than $100. The criminal will then get into your vehicle and drive it away.
In the past, criminals have hacked into vehicles by hijacking the radio signal that is used by the key fob in the car to communicate with the onboard system. These crooks use devices that can take the signal and amplify it before they transmit it to a different device that can clone the key fob's cryptographic code. The crook can then unlock your car, turn it on and leave with the contents.
Security experts in the field of car security warn that the risk of theft through keyless keys increases as more models are equipped with the technology. But even if you don't have a vehicle that is keyless-entered, you should be careful especially when parking in a public area. Experts advise that you park your car for the night in a garage or at least somewhere with good security, such as motion-detection lights and CCTV.
You should also take away valuables from your vehicle, like mobile phones or Sat Navs. You should also lock your car doors and consider engraving the last seven digits on your vehicle's identification number onto your windows or headlights.