Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
Many newer vehicles feature keyless entry systems which allow drivers to open and start their vehicle without the traditional metal keys. However, thieves are taking advantage of this technology.
Thieves are using simple equipment accessible online to record the signal that the fob sends to the car. This allows them to open the car, start it, and drive off in minutes.
The Relay Attack
A criminal can simply stand by your car and use a device to capture the signal from the key fob. When you pull your door handle the key fob broadcasts a challenge that asks "are you the owner of this car?" The criminal's device beams this response back to the key fob, fooling it into thinking the owner is in the vicinity and unlocking the car. The criminal can then get inside, hit the start button and drive away. The entire process could be completed in a matter of minutes and requires no forced entry.
This technique, known as a "relay attack" is possible to use with many different models. The good thing is that the technology that makes this kind of hack possible is easily bought on the internet. This means that almost every car can be hacked.
The most popular kind of vehicle targeted is a high-end Range Rover, but any keyless entry car is at risk. It is important to keep in mind that criminals aren't necessarily interested in the car itself, but the valuable items like cash and electronic devices inside.
The best way to avoid this type of theft is to ensure that you don't leave any valuables in your vehicle. If you are required to leave them in a car be sure that they're stored in a safe box or trunk. You could also park your car between a vehicle that isn't as desirable and your garage to discourage thieves. Or, you can employ a lock for the steering wheel to stop criminals from starting the engine.
Trackers are an excellent investment if you're concerned about your luxury vehicle being targeted. It won't stop criminals from stealing your car but it will increase the odds that police will recover it and return it.
This is not a new type of theft, but the ease and speed with which it can be accomplished has caused a lot of concern among car owners. It's a cat-and-mouse game between security professionals and thieves and as technology advances as well, so do the tactics used by criminals. Luckily you can take easy steps to avoid car theft by using keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
If you use your key fob to lock and start the car, it sends an audio signal to the vehicle's computer which informs it that your keys are in the vicinity. Hackers have discovered ways to hack the system and start the car without keys.
The thieves employ devices that amplify the signal your fob sends the car when you attempt to unlock it or start it. They transmit that signal to the car's key transponder, which then sends back a cryptographic code that instructs it to open the doors or start the engine. This code is the same as the one that's on your key fob, which means the car thinks 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 an inexpensive method, too. These devices are small enough to fit into pockets, and can be purchased on the internet for around $3,000 or less. So, how do you defend yourself from the threat of these devices? A few simple ways to protect yourself are placing your keys in a Faraday-style cage or even putting them in the fridge when you're not at home.
Other options include putting away all electrical devices and securing valuables when you're not in your vehicle. The most important thing to remember is to, always lock up your car. Even if you're only going away for a few minutes.
According to research conducted by Thatcham, car thefts involving keyless entry are increasing. It's not surprising, considering the number of vehicles being stolen by savvy thieves who use advanced technology, at an all-time high.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are a resourceful bunch and have come up with clever ways to gain access and take vehicles. The good news is that security experts are working hard to keep up, so it's never been more simple to secure yourself from 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 and prevents the car from being unlocked when the owner uses the key fob. While there's no evidence this method is commonly used at the moment, it could be more prevalent in the near future.
Another more sinister trick involves hacking into the system of your car This is why it's important to make sure your vehicle has 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 requirement for an ignition key. You should consider having your keys reprogrammed when you recently bought a used vehicle.
You can also assist in preventing thieves by parking your car in garages, if you can. While this might not stop them from stealing the vehicle, it can 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 last seven digits of your VIN onto the mirrors, windows, and headlights, since this makes it harder for anyone to change the identity of the vehicle in the future.
It's also worth installing a security camera, like those from the likes of Ring, Amazon Blink and Google Nest. These cameras can be used as a smart video-doorbell and are a great option to monitor your car when it is in a parking space outside. If you have a driveway you might want to look into a security floodlight which works with these cameras. This will notify you if there is any movement in your driveway and deter thieves who might attempt to remove cars off the street.
The Stolen Key
Many car makers have replaced the physical key with a proximity key that transmits an electronic signal that can be used to start and unlock your car. Criminals have created technology that allows them to hack these systems and steal cars that do not have fobs or button on the keypad.
The most recent theft method involves using what's known as the CAN bus attack, also known as a controller area network attack. The CAN bus system permits different parts of a car to communicate and is the most sophisticated way to attack against cars that are keyless.
To take on a car with an attack using a CAN bus the thieves must be able to intercept the signals from the get more info vehicle's onboard diagnostics port (OBD). This port was created to be used by professional diagnostic tools. However, criminals can gain access to it by inserting an unprotected cable. This permits thieves to read the computer's code that is in your car that it is used to unlock and start your car.
It can take anywhere from 20 to 30 seconds to duplicate a vehicle's signal using a device available online for less than a hundred dollars, Shlisel says. Afterwards, the crook can simply enter your car and drive it away.
Criminals have gained entry into vehicles by hijacking radio signals that are used by the key fob in the vehicle to communicate with its onboard system. The hackers use devices that are able to detect the signal, amplify it, and transmit it to another device to clone the key fob's cryptographic code. This enables the crooks unlock your car and then start it up, and then it's as simple as taking off with the items inside.
As experts in car security warn, the threat of keyless theft is growing as more vehicles are equipped with the technology. Even if your car is not keyless, you must be aware, particularly when you park it in a public space. Experts suggest parking your vehicle in a garage for the night or at a location with good home security - such as CCTV and motion-detection lighting.
You should also take away valuables from your vehicle, like mobile phones or Sat Navs. Also, you should lock your car doors and consider engraving the last seven digits of your vehicle identification number onto your windows or headlights.