14 Questions You're Anxious To Ask Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
Cars Stolen With Keyless EntryA lot of newer cars have keyless entry systems that allow drivers to start and open their vehicle without traditional keys made of metal. However thieves are taking advantage of this technology.
Thieves are using a simple device available online to capture the signal sent by the fob to the car. This allows them to drive away in a matter of seconds, then unlock the car and begin it.
The Relay Attack
A criminal may simply stand near your car and employ a device to intercept the signal sent by the key fob. The key fob transmits an indication to the device used by the criminal, which tells it the response. The criminal then can get into the car and press the starter button and leave the vehicle. The entire process can be completed in a matter of minutes, and there's no requirement to force entry.
This method is referred to as a relay attack and it is a possibility on a variety of models. The good thing is that the technology that makes this kind of hack possible can be easily bought on the internet. That means that nearly all cars are vulnerable.
The most popular kind of vehicle that is targeted by criminals is a high-end Range Rover. However, any car with keyless entry is also at risk. It is important to keep in mind that criminals aren't necessarily interested in the vehicle itself, but instead the valuable items like electronic devices and cash inside.
One of the easiest ways to prevent this type of theft is to avoid leaving any valuables in your car. If you must leave them in your car, lock them away in the trunk or glove box. You could also try parking your car between a less popular vehicle and your garage to discourage thieves, or use a lock for your steering wheel to prevent the thief from beginning the engine.
If you're worried about a luxury vehicle being targeted, then you might want to considering investing in the use of a tracker. This won't stop a criminal from stealing your car, but it will increase the chances of the police being able recover and return it.
Although this isn't an entirely new type of theft, the possibility of it being accomplished so quickly and easily has caused alarm amongst motorists. It's a game between security professionals and thieves and as technology advances as well, so do criminal tactics. Luckily, you can take some easy steps to avoid car theft by using keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
When you use your key fob to start or lock your car, the computer in the vehicle receives a radio signal that informs it that your keys are close by. Hackers have discovered ways to hack into the system to start the car with no key.
To do this, thieves have been using devices to amplify the normally faint message that your fob sends to the vehicle to let it know that you're trying to unlock or start it. They transmit that message to the key transponder of the car which in turn sends back a cryptographic code that informs it to open the doors or start the engine. The code is the same as the one you've got on your key fob, so the car thinks it's a valid signal from your key fob.
The thief will then steal this code, clone the blank key and then steal your vehicle. It's an inexpensive method, too. These devices are small enough to slip into your pocket and can be bought online for around $3,000 or less. So, how can you safeguard yourself from the threat of these devices? Simple ways to protect yourself include placing your keys in a faraday enclosure or leaving them in the refrigerator when you are at home.
Other methods include putting away all electrical devices and keeping valuables out of sight when you are not in your vehicle. The most important thing to remember is to ensure that you lock your car. Even if you're only going away for a few moments.
According to research conducted by Thatcham, car thefts involving keyless entry are on the rise. It's not surprising, considering the number of vehicles being taken away by clever thieves using the latest technology at an all-time high.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are clever and have come up with some clever methods to steal vehicles. It's good to be aware that security experts are constantly working to keep pace and make it easier than ever to protect yourself against keyless theft.
A signal jammer is a more sophisticated trick that uses the same frequency as the key fob. It can be placed in the pocket of the thief or hidden somewhere in the drive. It stops the car from being unlocked when the owner has the key fob. Although there's no evidence that this method is commonly used in the present but it could become more widespread in the future.
Hacking the car's software is another more sinister trick. This is why you must make sure that your vehicle has the most recent software updates. Thieves are able to log into the owner's app and start the car there, without requiring the key fob in any way. Consider having the keys reprogrammed when you recently bought an used car.
You can also help deter thieves by parking your vehicle in a garage, if possible. Although this won't hinder them from stealing your vehicle, it will make their job a lot more difficult since they'll need an access point to the car's computer. It's also worth considering etching the seven digits that make up your VIN on the windows, mirrors and headlights, since this will make it more difficult for anyone to change the vehicle's identity in the future.
Finally, it's worth considering installing a security camera, like those from the likes of Ring, Amazon Blink and Google Nest. They can also function as an intelligent video doorbell and can be a great tool to monitor your car when it's sitting outside. If you have a driveway, you can even think about a security floodlight that works with these cameras. This will alert you to any movements in your driveway. It will help discourage thieves from trying to lift cars off the street.
The Stolen Key
Many car makers are replacing the physical key with a proximity key that transmits signals that can open and get more info start your car. Criminals have developed technology that allows them to hack into these systems and steal cars without the fob or button on the keypad.
Researchers have come up with a novel theft method that uses what they call an CAN attack, or controller network attack. The CAN bus system permits different parts of a car to communicate and is the most sophisticated way to attack against vehicles that do not have keys.
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 is intended to be used by professional diagnostic tools, but it is also accessible to thieves by inserting a specific cable into it. This permits thieves to gain access to the computer code that is used to unlock and start the car.
Shlisel claims it will take between 20-30 seconds to replicate the signal of a vehicle using the device, which is available online for less than $100. Afterwards, the crook can simply get into your car and drive it away.
Criminals have in the past in the past hacked into cars using hijacked radio signals used by the key fob of the car to connect with its onboard system. The crooks make use of devices to collect the signal and amplify it, transmit it to another device to duplicate the key fob's encryption code. This allows the crooks to unlock your car and start it up, then it's just a matter of leaving with the contents inside.
As experts in car security warn, the danger 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 aware, particularly when you park it in a public area. Experts suggest that you park your car overnight in a garage or at the very least, in a place with a good security system like motion detection lights and CCTV.
You should also take away valuables from your vehicle, such as mobile phones or Sat Navs. Moreover, you should make sure you close your car doors and you may want to etch the last seven numbers of your Vehicle Identification Number on your windows or headlights.