Is Technology Making Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry Better Or Worse?
Is Technology Making Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry Better Or Worse?
Blog Article
Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
Many modern cars have keyless entry systems, allowing drivers to open their car and start it without the need for traditional keys made of metal. The technology is being used by thieves.
Thieves use simple devices accessible online to record the signal that the fob sends to the car. This allows them to open the car, start it up and leave in a matter of just a few seconds.
The Relay Attack
A criminal could simply stand near your car and employ a device that can capture the signal of the key fob. The key fob sends a signal to the device used by the criminal, which informs it of the response. The criminal is then able to jump in, press the start button, and drive away. The entire process can be completed in a matter of minutes, and there's no requirement to make entry difficult.
This method is referred to as a relay attack and it can be utilized on many different models. The good thing is that the technology that makes this kind of hack possible is cheap and easily available on the internet. This means that almost every car can be hacked.
The most popular kind of car targeted is a premium 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 the valuable things inside such as electronic devices and cash inside.
The most effective way to avoid this kind of theft is to not leave valuables in your vehicle. If you are required to put them in a vehicle be sure that they're stored in a safe box or trunk. You could also consider parking your car between a less coveted vehicle and your garage to deter thieves, or utilize a steering wheel lock to stop the criminal from starting the engine.
If you're worried about a luxury vehicle being targeted, then it might be worth taking a look at an alarm. This won't stop a criminal from stealing your car but it will increase the odds of the police being able recover and return it.
This is not an entirely new form of theft but the ease and speed with the speed at which it can be done has caused concern among motorists. It's a game of cat and mouse between security professionals and thieves, and as technology continues to advance, so too will the methods used by criminals. Fortunately, you can take some easy steps to avoid car theft by using keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
When you use the key fob to start or lock your car, the computer in the vehicle receives a radio message that informs it that your keys are close by. But criminals have discovered ways to hack this system which can let them start the car without having to hold the key in their hands.
To do this, thieves have been using devices to amplify the typically faint message your fob sends to the car to let it know that you're trying to open the doors or start it. They transmit that message to the key transponder in your car and it then transmits a cryptographic code that instructs it to open the doors or start the engine. This code is identical to the one you have on your key fob so the car thinks it's coming from the key fob.
The thief will then steal this code, copy the blank key, and drive off with your vehicle. It's a relatively cheap process as well. These devices are small enough to slip into your pocket and can be bought on the internet for around $3,000 or less. So, how can you defend yourself from the threat of these devices? Simple defences include placing your keys in a faraday enclosure or placing them in the refrigerator when at home.
Other measures include putting away all electrical devices and keeping valuables hidden when you are not in your vehicle. The most important thing to remember is to always, always lock up your vehicle. Even if you're leaving it for a few minutes.
According to research conducted by Thatcham, car thefts involving keyless entry are on the rise. It's not surprising that the amount of vehicles stolen by sophisticated thieves using advanced technology is at an all-time high.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are inventive and have come up with clever methods to steal cars. It's a good thing to know that security experts are at work to keep up with the times, so it is easier than ever before to secure 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 can be sat in the pocket of a thief, or left somewhere in the drive. It stops the car from being unlocked when the owner has the key fob. This technique could be more popular in the near future, even though there's no evidence to suggest that it is currently used widely.
Another, more dangerous technique involves hacking into the system of your car, which is why it's essential to ensure your car is running the latest software updates. The thieves are able to access the owner's app and then start the car from there, without the requirement for an ignition key. If you've recently purchased an used car, think about having the keys reprogrammed to make this more difficult.
If you are able, you could also stop thieves from entering garages. While this might not prevent them from stealing the vehicle, it can make car key stolen insurance their job much harder since they'll have to find ways to access the car's computer. Consider etching your VIN's last seven digits onto the headlights, windows and mirrors. This will make it difficult for thieves to alter the identity of the vehicle.
It's also worth installing a security camera, like those offered by the likes of Ring, Amazon Blink and Google Nest. These cameras can also 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 might want to consider a security floodlight that integrates with these cameras. This will notify you if there is any movement in your driveway and deter thieves who try to lift cars off 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 allows them to hack these systems and steal vehicles without fobs or a button on the keypad.
Researchers have developed a new theft technique that involves what they call an CAN attack, also known as a controller network attack. The CAN bus is the system that allows different parts of the car to communicate with each with each other, and is the most sophisticated threat against keys-less vehicles.
To target a vehicle with an attack using a CAN bus the thieves must be able to intercept the signals from the car's onboard diagnostics port (OBD). This port was developed to be used by professional diagnostic tools. However, thieves are able to gain access to it by inserting cables. This permits thieves to gain access to the computer code used to unlock and start the vehicle.
It can take 20 to 30 seconds to copy the signal of a vehicle using a device sold online for less than $100, Shlisel says. Afterwards, the crook can simply enter your car and drive it away.
In the past, criminals have hacked into vehicles through hijacking the radio signal that is used by the key fob in the car to communicate with the onboard system. The criminals employ devices to capture the signal then amplify it and then transmit it to another device to copy the key fob's encryption code. That enables the crook to unlock your car and start it up, then it's a matter of leaving with the contents inside.
As car security experts warn, the threat of keyless theft is growing as more vehicles are equipped with the technology. Even if your vehicle is not keyless, it is still advisable to be cautious, especially if you park in a public place. Experts suggest that you park your vehicle for the night in a garage or at a minimum, somewhere with good security like motion detection lights and CCTV.
It is also recommended to remove valuables from your vehicle, like mobile phones or Sat Navs. Additionally, you should be sure you lock your car doors, and you may want to etch the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number on your windows or headlights.