Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
Many newer vehicles feature keyless entry systems which allow drivers to open and start their vehicle without traditional metal keys. The technology is being exploited by thieves.
The thieves use simple tools that are accessible online to capture signals that are sent by the fob to the car. This allows them to open the car, start it and leave in a matter of seconds.
The Relay Attack
A criminal could simply stand near your vehicle and employ a device that can capture the signal sent by the key fob. The key fob transmits an indication to the criminal's device that sends it the signal. The criminal is then able to jump into the car and push the starter button and leave the vehicle. The whole process can take just minutes and involves no forced 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 type of hacking possible can be easily bought online. This means that almost every car can be hacked.
The most common kind of vehicle targeted by criminals is a high-end Range Rover. However, any car that has a keyless entry is also at risk. It's important to remember that criminals aren't always interested in the car itself, but rather the valuable things inside such as electronic devices and cash inside.
The easiest way to prevent this type of theft is to never leave any valuables in your vehicle. If you must leave them in a vehicle, make sure they're stored in a safe box or trunk. You can also park your car between a second less popular vehicle and your garage to deter thieves, or use a steering wheel lock to stop the criminal from getting the engine started.
Trackers are a great investment if you're worried about your expensive car being targeted. This won't prevent a criminal from stealing a vehicle but it increases the likelihood that police can locate and return it.
Although this isn't an entirely new type of theft but the possibility of it being accomplished so quickly and easily has caused a lot of concern amongst car owners. It's a game of cat and mouse between security professionals and criminals and, as technology advances, so will criminal tactics. You can take a few easy measures to avoid car thefts by using keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
When you use your key fob to start and lock your vehicle, the computer inside the vehicle receives a radio message that informs it that your keys are in close proximity. Hackers have found ways to hack the system and start the car with no key.
The thieves employ devices that amplify the signal your fob transmits to the car when you attempt to unlock it or start it. They then relay that message to the car's key transponder and it then transmits a cryptographic code that instructs it to open the doors or start the engine. This code is identical as the one that's on your key fob, therefore the car believes it's a valid signal from your key fob.
The thief will then steal this code, clone the blank key and then drive off with your vehicle. It's also a very inexpensive procedure. The devices can be purchased on the internet for less than $3,000 and are small enough to fit in a pocket. So, how can you defend yourself from the threat of these devices? Simple defences 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 securing valuables when you're not in your vehicle. The most important thing to keep in mind is to ensure that you lock your vehicle. Even if you're just going away for a few minutes.
According to research conducted by Thatcham, car thefts that involve keyless entry are increasing. It's not surprising that the amount of cars stolen by sophisticated thieves using advanced technologies is at an all-time high.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are a savvy group and have come up with some clever ways to gain access and take vehicles. It's important to know that security experts are working hard to keep up making it easier than ever to protect yourself from theft via keyless keys.
One of the most sophisticated techniques involves a gadget called a signal jammer, which emits on the same frequency as your key fob. The device can be tucked in the pocket of the thief or tucked away in the driveway to prevent the car from being read more locked when the owner is using their key fob. This method may be more popular in the coming years, even though there isn't any evidence to suggest it is currently used widely.
Hacking the car's software is yet another more sinister trick. This is why you should ensure that your car has the most recent software updates. Thieves are able to log into the owner's account and start the car from there without requiring the key fob at all. If you recently purchased a used car, you should consider getting the keys reprogrammed to make this more difficult.
If you can, you can also deter thieves by parking in a garage. While this might not stop them from stealing the vehicle, it will make their job much harder as they'll need to find ways to access the car's computer. It's also worth considering etching the seven digits that make up your VIN onto the mirrors, windows, and headlights, since 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 function as a smart video doorbell and can be a great tool to monitor your car when it's sitting outside. If you have a driveway you might want to consider a security floodlight that is compatible with these cameras. This will alert you if there is any movement in your driveway and deter thieves who might try to lift cars off the street.
The Stolen Key
Many car manufacturers are now replacing the physical key with a proximity key that transmits signals which can be used to open and start your car. Criminals have developed technology that enables them to hack into these systems and steal cars that do not have fobs or button on the keypad.
Researchers have devised a brand new 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 parts of the vehicle to communicate with each other, and it is the most sophisticated threat against keys-less vehicles.
To take on a car with an attack using a CAN bus the thieves must take over the signals coming from the vehicle's onboard diagnostics port (OBD). This port was developed to be used by professional diagnostic tools. However, criminals can access it by putting in cables. This permits thieves to read your computer's code in your car that it is used to unlock and start your car.
It can take 20 to 30 seconds to copy the signal of a vehicle using an online-based device that costs less than 100 dollars, Shlisel says. The criminal will then get into your vehicle and drive it away.
In the past, criminals have attempted to hack into vehicles by stealing the radio signal that is used by the key fob in the car to communicate with the onboard system. The crooks use devices to collect the signal and amplify it, then transmit it to another device to duplicate the key fob's encryption code. This allows the crooks to unlock your car and then start it up, and then it's as simple as leaving with the contents inside.
As experts in car security warn, the threat of keyless theft is growing as more vehicles are equipped with the technology. Even if you don't have a vehicle that is keyless-entered it is important to be aware, especially when parking in a public area. Experts recommend that you park your car for the night in a garage or at a minimum, somewhere with good security such as motion detection lights and CCTV.
Aside from that the most effective option is to keep your vehicle clean out of your vehicle - getting rid of valuables such as Sat GPS units or mobile phones. Additionally, you should be sure that you close your car doors and consider etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identity Number on your car's headlights or windows.