Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry
If car owners throw their keys on the table or at their doors, they may not realize that they are allowing thieves to hijack their signal. This relay attack is one of the advanced methods criminals are using to steal new keyless cars.
Keyless ignition vehicles emit a low-power radio signal that is used to locate the fob that matches. If the signal is captured and recreated, it could be used to unlock the car and then start it up.
Relay Attack
Imagine your car in your driveway, and your key fob inside your home. You might think that your vehicle is secure but sophisticated thieves are planning to steal your car without you being aware. These thieves use technology to hack into vehicles via digital chinks. Known as relay theft, it's a more popular method of stealing cars that have keyless entry.
The keyless entry system in cars is controlled by a signal sent by the car's radio transmitter to the key fob. To ensure that keyless entry is not accessed by intruders the RF transmitters that are on the key fob as well as the car are programmed to activate when they are within a specified distance of each other. However, thieves are able to overcome this limitation using a technique known as the'relay attack'.
To accomplish this two people work in tandem One stands near the car with an instrument that records digitally the key fob's signal. The other, standing by the owner's house is using a different device to transmit the key fob signal back down to the car. This trick tricks the car into believing that the key fob has traveled the distance needed to unlock and start the vehicle.
This type of attack was once a costly process that required expensive equipment. However, now you can pick up relay transmitters for low cost online and conduct the heist in just a few minutes. This is why it's popular with car thieves.
While certain cars are less susceptible to this kind of theft than others, all cars with keyless entry are vulnerable. Researchers have tested 237 of the most popular cars and found that all of them could be taken using this method.
Tesla vehicles are believed to be less vulnerable to this type of theft, however, Tesla hasn't yet implemented UWB features that would effectively conduct distance checks on the car's signal to stop relay attacks. The company has promised to implement this feature in the near future, but for now they are still vulnerable. That's why it's essential to adopt a proactive approach to your vehicle security and install an anti-theft tool that protects your keys and vehicle from these kinds of attacks.
CAN Injection Attack
Modern vehicles can defend themselves from thieves by sending encrypted messages to the key in order to prove its authenticity. The system is thought to be secure, but criminals have found ways to circumvent it. They just pretend to be the smart key and send messages to the car letting it unlock the doors, disable its engine immobilizer, and then go on their way. To do this, they get access to the smart key's internal communications network.
Today, most cars are equipped with between 20 and over 200 electronic control units, also known as ECUs, that control different aspects of the vehicle's operation. They communicate using an electronic network known as CAN bus. To keep power consumption low they ECUs enter sleep mode with low power that is activated when they receive a wake up frame. These frames typically come from the door or smart key receiver ECU. These messages are not always authenticated or encrypted. This means that criminals are able to take them over with an inexpensive and simple device.
They search for a spot that allows them to connect directly to the wires for CAN connection. They usually hide in the headlights, or in other locations in the front of the vehicle. To get them, you can remove the bumper and make holes in the headlamp assemblies. The thieves use an instrument known as an CAN injection attack to send fake messages which trick the car's safety systems to unlock and disable the engine immobilizer.
These devices can be bought on the Dark Web and work with most major car manufacturers which include BMW and Cadillac, Chrysler, Fiat and Ford, Honda, Hyundai and Jeep, Lexus and Nissan, Renault and Toyota, Volkswagen and Maserati. Researchers who discovered the CAN Injection attack recommend that all car makers address the issue here in their current models. However, these thieves will continue to steal any opportunity they can. The best thing we can do is make an effort to prevent this from happening by putting in mechanical security measures like Discloks on all our vehicles, and making sure that they are located in areas with adequate lighting that are clearly visible to passers-by.
Blocking the Signal
In a variant of the relay attack, which employs a device, thieves can jam the signal transmitted by the key fob when the car is locked. The device may be hidden in the pocket of a thief in a parking area or in a hidden spot close to the driveway that is being targeted. Once the owners hit the lock button on their fobs and walk away and leave, they don't have to think about whether or not the car is really locked. The device of the crook block the signal that locks the vehicle. Therefore, thieves can drive away with the vehicle.
They also make use of devices that amplify signals from the key fob to unlock vehicles. They can do this when the key is inside the pocket of the driver or hanging from a hook inside the house. When the car is unlocked, they can use an ordinary computer hacker to program a blank key fob and gain control of the vehicle.
Car manufacturers have come up with a range of anti-theft systems to safeguard against these types of attacks. However, thieves are always finding ways to beat these measures.
They've begun using devices that transmit at the same frequency as remote keyfobs to intercept signals. The thieves then copy the unlock code of the key fob and begin the vehicle with this fake signal.
This method is particularly popular in the US where a lot of cars are equipped with wireless technology. Owners can unlock and start their vehicle through a mobile application on their smartphone. This technology is likely to be more commonplace as more companies attempt to connect their vehicles with their owners smartphones.
In addition to installing anti-theft technologies in vehicles, it's crucial for drivers to leverage best practices when parking their vehicles. They should not leave the keys in ignition and should always secure the car when not in it. If they can they should also utilize a gearstick lock or steering device. They should also think about installing a tracking device onto their vehicle in the event that it is stolen.
Flat Battery
This type of attack occurs more often than people realize. Thieves employ inexpensive devices to extend the signal from your key fob to unlock and begin cars even if they're switched off. They then simply drive the car around the corner or to a trailer and then drive off with it. Installing a starter circuit interruption switch can protect your vehicle from this. Simpler versions have an ON/OFF button that shuts off the circuit. It costs about $15 and is simple to install yourself.
Car thieves are always looking for new ways to rob vehicles. The police, car makers and insurance companies are always trying to catch up to their tactics and provide better anti-theft systems for modern cars. But that doesn't stop thieves who are able be quick to adapt and discover ways to bypass the most recent anti-theft measures.
For example, many thieves use a device that works on the same radio frequency as the fob to jam the signal. The device is placed in the pocket or close by the vehicle, and stops the fob from sending the lock command to the car. This can be done in seconds. The device is inexpensive and available online.
Another tactic is to hack the car's computer system. This is more difficult, but possible. Hackers have created devices that connect to the diagnostic port of all vehicles and allow them to connect to the software. They can then program a blank fob to function. It is possible to do this on older vehicles too, but it's more difficult if you remove the ignition.
This method could become more popular as more vehicles are connected with drivers' mobile phones. Once a burglar has gained the username and password to an app for vehicles and then they can unlock or start the car using the app on their phone. You can help defend yourself from these kinds of attacks by not leaving valuables in your car and putting it in a secure garage or parking lot.