What Car Stolen Keyless Entry Experts Want You To Learn
Wiki Article
Keyless Entry and Car Theft
The number of car thefts is growing and thieves are discovering new ways to get into vehicles. One of the most well-known methods is keyless entry.
There is no longer a time when thieves broke windows and wired cars to steal them. They can now hack into a vehicle's computer systems within minutes.
Relay Attack
Since the introduction of the technology known as Push-to-Start, millions of drivers have benefited from having the ability to start their car without needing a key. However, this convenience makes vehicles more vulnerable. The relay attack is a novel method that thieves can employ to steal cars within minutes. This technique uses devices that capture and amplify the signal sent from your car's key fob which allows thieves to unlock your car and drive away.
Relay attacks are a variation of an older technique called Man-in the-Middle Attacks. This type of attack can be used in cybersecurity to snoop on communications between two parties and alter it without the other being aware of. In the scenario of a relay attack the attacker uses a device to record the signal from the key fob in your car, then transmits that signal to a different device that is nearby. The second device is able to open the door and start the engine of your car in a matter of just a few seconds.
In order to carry out an attack using relays criminals need only an inexpensive, readily available device that can detect and amplify the signal 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 simply wave the device in front of the home of the victim and tricks the car into thinking that the key is in range and allows it to be opened and started.
To stop this type of theft, some experts suggest that you keep your key fob when it is not being used in a metal container or pouch. This is a simple but unreliable solution to modern relay devices. A far better option is to purchase an ignition lock for the steering wheel, which physically blocks the criminal's ability to steer the vehicle after it's taken.
Many car manufacturers have tried to resolve this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems, which use cryptographic methods with time-sensitive codes to guard against relay attacks. However criminals have been able to develop devices that defeat these measures. In the end, the race is on to discover a way to stop relay crime without comprising the convenience of keyless technology.
Hacking
A lot of new cars come with keyless entry systems that permit drivers to start and open their car without a physical button or key. These systems are susceptible to a new kind of theft. The thieves can employ electronic devices that copy the signal of the key fob and transmit it to an accomplice who is holding a transmitter close to the vehicle. The thief can then unlock the vehicle and then drive away. According to AAA this method is known as a relay attack. It can be accomplished within 20-30 seconds.
In most cases, thieves employ inexpensive devices that imitate wireless key fob signals to capture the signal and transmit it to a third party. Then, when the victim presses their key fob to unlock or start the vehicle, the thief could pretend to be the owner of the car by sending a signal to the car's system that makes it believe that a legitimate signal is coming from the fob.
More sophisticated thieves have created devices that plug into a car's On Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, which is usually located beneath the steering wheel. It allows mechanics to connect an instrument for diagnostics. The thief is then able to download information from the car's computer and create an unlocked key fob that meets the car's specifications. This type of hacking can be done on virtually all cars.
Some thieves have even made use of TikTok challenges to teach people how to create inexpensive amplifiers that enhance the signal of an electronic key fob. They also allow an accomplice to unlock the car from a distance while it's parked on the driveway. This method has led to manufacturers like Kia and Toyota to perform software updates which prevent this 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 that block the signal and prevent the use of your keys in a non-approved way. Some of these pouches have metal mesh linings and are available at a price that is around $10. Like your phone or computer it is essential to keep the software on your car up-to-date.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards
The latest car key fobs utilize radio signals to communicate with the vehicle, allowing owners to unlock their vehicles and start them without needing to touch the key. These new technologies increase the chance of theft. Thieves can steal the signal from a key fob if it is placed on a table near the front door of the house or in a pocket and they can clone the signal using devices that are similar to handheld gaming consoles referred to as emulators. They can then open the car in minutes and drive away.
The crooks typically operate in pairs. The crooks usually operate in pairs. One will stand outside of your house equipped with a relay amplifier and the other one will be carrying a device that captures a signal from the keyfob. The thieves will then increase the signal to ensure it is strong enough to evade your car's security systems.
Another popular tactic 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 a keyfob. This jams the signal and blocks it from being recognized by the vehicle. The lock button is not working.
Dealers in the auto industry must be on guard to safeguard their inventory as thieves get more sophisticated. Dealerships should install high-security perimeter fences with cameras and secure entrances to ensure that thieves cannot drive flatbeds with cars after hours. They should also educate employees on the proper handling of keys, including securely locking cars and storing them in a safe location when they are not in use.
Technology is helping to stop car thefts and combat the new thieves. Some car manufacturers are working on key fobs 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 stop the transmission of signals from a key fob a car. Other defences include engraving the last seven digits from your vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the headlights, windows, and mirrors in order to prevent the resale and reuse of your vehicle.
VIN Theft
Keyless entry is convenient, but it also opens up website new possibilities for thieves to steal cars. Your car will open the doors and start the engine if it recognises the signal sent by your wireless remote or key fob. However, if the signal isn't recognised the car will lock but will not start. You need to hold the key to activate the starter.
Even when your car is parked, it is essential to keep your remote and key fob hidden. A criminal can use a small transmitter to intercept your signal and then steal it. Then, he can unlock your door and drive away without ever having to touch the actual physical key or ignition.
In some instances criminals may be capable of swapping a vehicle's VIN and title to conceal their involvement in the theft of the vehicle. This practice is referred to as VIN switching and is currently on the rise. Typically, crooks buy damaged vehicles through auctions or police departments and then change the VIN. They then use the legitimate VIN of a different make and model to obtain an updated title and registration, and then sell it to unsuspecting buyers.
The VIN is a well-known method 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 no cost. It's a bit odd that etching could discourage thieves, since it makes your vehicle more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. A professional thief would avoid your car because they are aware that etching can be a major obstacle to their pursuit.
The NICB also offers a free VINCheck online service that will determine whether your vehicle has been reported as stolen or salvaged, but not yet recovered. The service is only available on their website and requires the use of a valid VIN. There are also a range of security equipment that can deter criminals in your vehicle. These include audible and visual devices that deter criminals. These include alarms and locks for the steering wheel, as well as window etching.