Car Stolen Keyless Entry Tips From The Top In The Industry

Wiki Article

Keyless Entry and Car Theft

Car theft is on the rise and thieves have discovered new ways to enter vehicles. One of the most popular methods is keyless entry.

The days of stealing cars through breaking windows and hotwiring them are gone. They are now able to hack the computer systems of a vehicle in a matter of minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction of Push-to-Start technology, millions of drivers have enjoyed the convenience of being able to start their car without reaching for keys. However, this same convenience can make vehicles susceptible to theft. In particular, thieves have been able use a new technique called the relay attack to steal cars within seconds. This method uses an instrument to record and amplify the signal sent through your car's key fob allowing thieves to unlock and drive away.

The relay attack is an alteration of an older technique known as Man-in the-Middle attacks. This kind of attack is used in cybersecurity to disrupt and alter the communications between two entities without either party realizing it. In the case of a relay attack, the attacker employs a device to intercept the signal from the key fob in your car and transmits that signal to another device that is nearby. The second device can be used to open the door and start the engine, thereby taking your vehicle away in a matter of minutes.

To perform a relay attack, criminals simply need a cheap, readily available device that can detect and amplify the signal emanating from your key fob. Usually, thieves work in pairs, with one person holding the relay amplifier and the other person standing outside near the home of the victim. The thief wave the device in the direction of the victim's home, tricking the car into thinking the key is close by.

To avoid this kind of theft, some experts recommend that you keep your key fob when not in use in a metal container or pouch. This is a straightforward but ineffective method against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a much better choice, since it physically prevents the thief from driving the vehicle after it was taken.

Many car makers have attempted to resolve this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems, which use cryptographic methods with time-sensitive codes in order to defend against relay attacks. Criminals have devised devices that can defeat these measures. In the end, the race is on to find a solution to relay crime while preserving the convenient nature of keyless technology.

Hacking

Many new cars are fitted with keyless entry systems, which allow drivers to open and start their car without needing the use of a physical button or key. These systems are vulnerable to a new kind of theft. Thieves can utilize electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and transmit it to a transmitter held by an accomplice standing close to the vehicle. The thief then has the ability to unlock the vehicle and drive away. According to AAA, this method is referred to as relay attack. It can be accomplished within 20-30 seconds.

Thieves can often use inexpensive devices to mimic wireless key fob signal to record it and send it to an accomplice. Then, when a victim clicks their key fob to unlock or start the vehicle, the thief could pretend to be the owner of the car by sending a response to the car's system, making it believe that a legitimate signal is being transmitted from the fob.

More sophisticated thieves have created devices that plug into the car's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, which is usually located under the steering wheel. It allows mechanics to connect to a diagnostic tool. The criminal can download information from the car's computer and create an empty key fob that is compatible with the specifications of the car. Almost all vehicles are vulnerable to this type of hacking.

Some thieves have utilized TikTok challenges as a way to instruct people on how to build cheap amplifiers that increase the signal of the key fob, making it possible for an accomplice to open the door while it is parked in the driveway. This method has led companies like Kia to release software updates that mitigate the vulnerability.

Experts recommend keeping your car keys farther away from your home, and even in the trunk, so that thieves have a tough time accessing them. You can also invest in RFID pouches to block the signal and prevent the use of your keys in a non-approved way. Some of these pouches feature metal mesh linings, and can be purchased on the low end for about $10. Just like your computer and phone it's essential to keep the software in your vehicle up-to date.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards

The most recent car key fobs communicate with vehicles via radio signals, allowing the owners of cars to unlock and start their cars without touching keys. However, these advanced technologies are also increasing the risk of theft. The signal from a keyfob's sensor can be recorded if the fob is left on a table near the front door or in a wallet. It is then possible to copy it using simple devices, called emulators, the size of handheld consoles. They can then unlock the car in just a few minutes and drive away.

The crooks usually work in pairs. One will stand outside your home, holding a relay amplifier, while the other holds the device that records the signal from the key fob. The thieves can then amplify the signal to make it strong enough to evade security systems in your car.

Another method is to simply jam the communication between the key fob and the car. The thieves employ signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as the key fob. This muddles the signal, preventing it from being received by the car, thereby preventing the lock button from working.

Dealers of automobiles must be vigilant to protect their inventory as thieves become more sophisticated. Dealerships should install high-security perimeter fences with cameras and secure entrances, so that thieves cannot drive flatbeds on cars after hours. They should also instruct employees on proper methods of handling keys, including securely locking cars and storing them in a safe location when not in use.

Luckily, technology is working to stop these new thieves and prevent car thefts. Some car manufacturers are working on keyfobs with active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology, which makes it harder for thieves to amplify the signal of the keys. Additionally, Faraday cages can be used to prevent the transmission of signals from a key fob to a car. Other defenses include engraving the last seven digits from your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the headlights, windows and mirrors to stop the resale or reuse of your vehicle.

VIN Theft

While keyless access is great for convenience but it also opens up new opportunities for thieves to steal cars. Your car will unlock the doors and start the engine if it detects the signal transmitted by your wireless key fob or remote. However, if the signal isn't detected the car will lock but will not start. This is because you need to have the key in your hands to press an appropriate button on the fob in order to start the starter.

This is why it's essential to keep your key fob and remote out of view even when your car is parked. A criminal can use a small transmitter device to pick up your signal and hijack it. Then, he is able to unlock your door and drive away without ever touching the ignition or key.

In some instances criminals may be capable of swapping the vehicle's VIN and title to conceal their involvement in the stolen car. This technique, referred to as VIN-switching, is on the increase. The thieves will usually buy a damaged vehicle through auctions or the police department and then alter the VIN. They then make use of a legitimate VIN from a different model and make an attempt to get a new title and registration, and then sell the vehicle to unwitting buyers.

The VIN is a well-known method read more to deter theft. There are a number of companies that provide kits to do this, and in certain areas, the police department or AAA provides this service for free. It is a bit counterintuitive to think that etching can deter thieves since it makes your vehicle more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. A professional thief would avoid your vehicle because they know that etching can be a major obstruction.

The NICB also offers a free online VINCheck service to check whether your vehicle has been reported as a salvaged or stolen vehicle and is not yet recovered. The service requires an active VIN to conduct a search and is accessible via their website. In addition, a wide range of products to deter crime are available for your vehicle as well as visible and audible devices that serve as a deterrent for criminals. Some of these include the locking of your steering wheel, alarms and window etching.