Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry
Car owners who leave their keys on tables or near their front doors could be giving thieves the ability to take over the signal. This relay attack is one of the advanced methods criminals are employing to steal new keyless cars.
All keyless ignition vehicles emit a low-power radio signal to find an appropriate fob. If the signal is recorded and recreated, it could be used unlock the car and to start it.
Relay Attack
Imagine your car in your driveway, and your key fob inside your home. You may be confident that your car is safe however, sophisticated thieves are planning to steal your car without you even knowing. They use technology to snoop on vehicles through digital chinks. Known as relay theft, it's a more common method of stealing vehicles with keyless entry.
Keyless entry cars are designed to function using an electronic signal that is that is transmitted from the car's remote control (RF) transmitter to the owner's key fob. To prevent unauthorized keyless entry the RF transmitters on the key fob and in the car are programmed to activate only when they're within certain distance of each other. However, thieves are able to overcome this limitation using an attack known as the'relay attack'.
Two individuals are required to perform this: one stands near the car and utilizes a device to capture digitally the the key fob. The other person, who is at home with the owner, uses a second gadget to transmit the signal from the key fob to the car. This trick tricked the car into thinking the key fob is close enough to allow it to unlock and start it up.
This type of attack used to require expensive equipment. But now, you can buy relay transmitters on the inexpensive online market and carry out a heist in minutes. This is the reason why car thieves love it.
While some cars are less susceptible to this type of theft than others, all modern vehicles that have keyless entry are vulnerable. In fact researchers have tested 237 popular vehicles and found that they could be targeted by this method.
Tesla vehicles are believed to be less prone to this kind of theft, however the company hasn't yet implemented UWB features that would effectively check distances on the car's signal and stop relay attacks. The company has said that they will do this in the near future, but until then, they're vulnerable. This is why it's crucial to take a proactive approach to your security in your car and install an anti-theft device that safeguards your keys and vehicle from these kinds of attacks.
CAN Injection Attack
Modern cars can protect themselves against thieves by exchanging encrypted messages with the key in order to confirm its authenticity. The system is considered to be safe, but thieves have found ways around it. They can pretend to be the smart key and send messages to the car letting it unlock the doors, disable its engine immobilizer, and let them go on their way. To do that they gain access to the smart key's internal communications network.
Today, most automobiles are equipped with between 20 and 200 electronic control units (or ECUs) that manage different aspects of the car's operation. They communicate through a network called CAN bus. These ECUs enter a low power sleep mode to decrease their power consumption. This mode is activated when ECUs receive an "wake up" frame. These frames are usually sent by the ECU that controls the smart key or door. However, these messages aren't always authenticated or encrypted, which means that they can be intercepted by criminals who have a low-cost and basic device.
To accomplish this, they must look for a location where they can directly connect to the CAN bus connection wires. They are usually hidden in the headlights or in front of the car and can be accessed by removing the bumper and cutting holes in the headlamp assembly to expose them. The criminals then employ a device known as an CAN injection attacker, which is used to send fake messages which can trick the car's security systems into unlocking it and disengaging the engine immobilizer.
The devices are available for sale on the Dark Web, and work for most of the major car makers including BMW, Cadillac, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen, Maserati, and many more. Researchers who have discovered the CAN Injection attack recommend that all car manufacturers fix this issue in their existing models. However, the thieves will continue taking whatever they can. We can prevent this by installing mechanical safety measures such as Discloks in all of our cars and parking them in well-lit and visible areas.
The Signal is blocked
In a variant different to the relay attack, thieves could employ a device to block the signal sent from a key fob when the vehicle is locked. The device could be found in the pocket of a thief in a parking space or in a hideout near the driveway that is being targeted. Once the owners press the button to lock their fobs and leave and leave, they don't have to think about whether or not the car is really is locked. The device of the crook blocks the signal that locks the car. Therefore, thieves can drive away with the vehicle.
The crooks also use devices to amplify the key fob's signals in order to unlock vehicles. The crooks can do this even when the key is in a driver's pocket or hanging on a hook inside the home. Once the car is locked, they can use the standard diagnostic port or computer hackers to program an unlocked key fob to gain control over the vehicle.
Automobile manufacturers have developed a range of anti-theft systems to guard against these kinds of attacks. However, thieves are always trying to beat these measures.
They've begun using devices that transmit at the same frequency as remote keyfobs in order to intercept signals. The thieves then copy the unlock code of the key fob and start the vehicle with this fake signal.
This technique is especially popular in the US and Europe where a large number of cars are equipped with wireless technology that lets owners unlock and start their vehicles by using a mobile application from their phones. This technology will likely be more commonplace as more car manufacturers attempt to link their cars with their owners phones.
In addition to implementing anti-theft systems in vehicles, it's important for drivers to follow the best practices when they park their cars. It is not advisable to leave their keys in the ignition and should always lock the car when they are not in it. If possible, they should also use a steering or gearstick locking device. It is also recommended to think about installing a tracking device onto their vehicle in the event it is stolen.
Flat Battery
This kind of attack happens more often than most people realize. The thieves make use of cheap devices that extend the signal of your key fob in order to unlock and start your car even when it's off. Then they drive the vehicle to a trailer or around a corner to take the car away. It is possible to shield your vehicle from this by installing an interrupter switch for the starter circuit. The simplest ones are an ON/OFF switch that shuts off the starter circuit. It costs around $15 and is simple to install.
Car thieves are always working on new ways to get into vehicles and steal them. The police, car makers and insurance companies are always trying to keep up keys stolen with their strategies and offer better anti-theft solutions for the latest cars. But that doesn't stop the thieves, who are able to change quickly and find ways to get around the most recent anti-theft measures.
Many thieves block the signal by using devices that use the same radio frequency of the fob. The device is put in the pocket or near the vehicle and blocks the fob from transmitting the lock command to the car. This can be accomplished in a matter of minutes. The device is cheap and readily available online.
Hacking the computer system of the car is an alternative option. This is more difficult but still possible. Hackers have created devices that plug into the diagnostic port of all vehicles and allow them to access the software. They can then program the fob with blank code to work. It is possible to do this on older cars as well but it's more difficult without taking out the ignition.
As more vehicles are connected to drivers' phones, this method may become more popular too. Once a burglar has access to the username and password to a vehicle app and is able to unlock or start the vehicle by using the app. You can help defend yourself from these kinds of attacks by not putting valuables in your car and putting it in a garage or secured parking lot.