Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
Many newer cars feature keyless entry systems, allowing drivers to open and start their car without the requirement for traditional metal keys. However thieves are taking advantage of this technology.
Thieves use simple devices available online to capture the signal the fob transmits to the car. This allows them to get away in a matter of seconds, then open the car, and then begin it.
The Relay Attack
A criminal can simply stand near your car and employ a device that can capture the signal sent by the key fob. The key fob transmits an indication to the device of the criminal that informs it of the response. The criminal is then able to get into the car, press the starter button and drive off. The entire procedure can be completed in less than minutes, and there's no need to force entry.
This technique is known as a relay attack, and it is a possibility on many different models. The good news is that the technology that makes this type of hack possible is affordable and readily available online. This means that almost all vehicles are at risk.
The most popular type of vehicle that is targeted by criminals is the premium Range Rover. However, any car that has keyless entry is also at risk. It's important to remember that criminals aren't necessarily interested in the vehicle itself, but instead the valuable items like electronic devices and cash inside.
One of the most effective methods to avoid this kind of theft is to avoid leaving any valuables in your car. If you have to leave them in your car, secure them in the trunk or glove box. You can also park your car between a second less popular vehicle and your garage to discourage thieves, or use a steering wheel lock to stop the criminal from starting the engine.
Trackers are a great investment if you're worried about your high-end vehicle being targeted. It won't stop criminals from stealing a vehicle, but will increase the odds that police can locate and return it.
It's not an entirely new form of theft but the speed and ease with which it can be accomplished has caused concern among car owners. It's a game between security professionals and thieves, and as technology advances, so too will criminal tactics. You can take a few easy measures to avoid car thefts using keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
If you use your key fob to lock and start the car, it transmits an electronic signal to the vehicle's computer that lets it know your keys are close by. But criminals have discovered ways to hack this system, which can let them start the vehicle without holding the key in their hands.
The thieves employ devices that amplify the faint signal your fob transmits to the car when you try to unlock it or start it. They transmit that signal to the key transponder in your car, which then sends back a cryptographic code that instructs it to open the doors or start the engine. This code is identical as the one on your key fob, which means the car is convinced that it's a valid signal coming from your key fob.
Then, the thief can use that code to copy it onto a blank key and then leave with your car. It's a relatively cheap process, too. These devices can be bought on the internet for less than $3,000 and are small enough to fit into the pocket of a. How can you protect yourself from these devices? Simple ways to protect yourself include placing your keys in a faraday enclosure or leaving them in the refrigerator when you're at home.
Other methods include putting all electrical devices in a safe place and keeping valuables out of sight when you are not in your car. The most important thing to keep in mind is to ensure that you lock your vehicle. Even if you're leaving it for a few moments.
According to research by Thatcham, keyless entry vehicle theft is on the rise. It's not a surprise that the number of cars stolen by sophisticated thieves using the latest technologies is at an all-time high.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are resourceful and have come up with some clever ways to rob vehicles. The good news is that security experts are also trying to keep up, so it's never been more simple to safeguard yourself from theft of keys.
A signal jammer is a more sophisticated device that operates on the same frequency as the key fob. It can be placed in the pocket of the thief or hidden in the drive. It stops the car from unlocking when the owner has the key fob. Although there's no evidence that this method is widely used currently but it could be more prevalent in the future.
Another more dangerous method involves hacking into the car's computer system and stealing data from the car. This is why it's essential to make sure your vehicle is running the latest software updates. The thieves are able to log into the app of the owner and then start the car from there, without the need for the key fob. If you've recently bought a used car, you should consider having the keys reprogrammed to make this more difficult.
You can also help deter thieves by putting your car in a garage, if possible. This might not stop thieves from stealing your vehicle, but it will make their task more difficult since they will have to find a means to access the computer of the vehicle. It's also worth thinking about etching the last seven digits of your VIN on the mirrors, windows, and headlights. This will make it more difficult for anyone to alter the vehicle's identity in the future.
It's also worth installing a security camera, such as those available from the likes of 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. You can also consider the use of a security light with the cameras in the event that you have driveway. This will alert you to any movement in your driveway and will help discourage thieves from trying to take cars off the streets.
The Stolen Key
Many car makers have replaced the traditional key with a proximity key that transmits an electronic signal that can be used to start and open your car. But criminals have created technology to hack into these systems which allows them to steal cars without the fob or the button on the keypad.
Researchers have come up with a novel method of theft that is based on what they call an CAN attack, or controller network attack. The CAN bus is the system that allows different components of the car to communicate with each with each other, and is the most sophisticated attack against keyless cars.
To take on a car with an attack on the CAN bus, thieves need to be able to intercept the signals from the car's onboard diagnostics port (OBD). This port is specifically designed to be used by professional diagnostic tools, but it is accessible to criminals by putting a special cable into it. This allows thieves to access the computer code that is used to unlock and start more info the vehicle.
Shlisel claims that it could take between 20-30 seconds to replicate the signal of a vehicle with the device, which is available online for less than $100. After that, the criminal can simply walk into your vehicle and take it away.
In the past, criminals have hacked into vehicles by hijacking the radio signal used by the key fob of the car to communicate with the onboard system. The criminals employ devices to capture the signal then amplify it and transmit it to a second device to clone key fob's encryption code. The crook is then able to unlock your car, turn it on and leave with the contents.
As experts in car security warn, the threat of theft via keyless locks is growing as manufacturers outfit more models with the technology. Even if your car is not keyless, you must be vigilant, especially when parking in a public space. Experts suggest that you park your car overnight in a garage, or at the very least, in a place with good security such as motion detection lights and CCTV.
Aside from that the most effective thing you can do is to keep a clear of your car - removing valuables like Sat Navs or mobile phones. In addition, you must make sure to secure your car's doors and think about etching the last seven numbers of your Vehicle Identification Number on your headlights or windows.