Are You Making The Most Of Your Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry?
Cars Stolen With Keyless EntryMany modern cars have keyless entry systems that permit drivers to open their car and start it without the need for traditional metal keys. However, thieves are taking advantage of the technology.
The thieves employ simple devices that are accessible online to capture signals sent by the fob to the car. This allows them to drive away in a matter of seconds, unlock the car and start it.
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 an alarm that asks "are you the owner of this vehicle?" The criminal's device beams this signal back to the key fob, luring it into thinking the owner is in the vicinity and unlocking the car. The criminal is then able to get inside, hit the start button, and drive away. The entire process could be completed in a matter of minutes and requires no force entry.
This technique is known as a relay attack and it is a possibility on a variety of models. The good news is that the technology that makes this type of hack possible can be easily purchased online. This means that almost all cars can be hacked.
The most common type of vehicle that is targeted by criminals is the high-end Range Rover. However, any car that has keyless access is also at risk. It's important to remember that criminals don't really care in the vehicle itself, but instead the valuable items like cash and electronic devices inside.
One of the most effective methods to avoid this kind of theft is to avoid leaving valuables in your vehicle. If you have to leave them in your car, put them in a lock in the glove box or trunk. You can also park your car between a vehicle that isn't as desirable and your garage in order to deter thieves. Or, you can use a steering-wheel lock to stop thieves from starting the engine.
If you're worried about a expensive vehicle being targeted it's worth taking a look at an alarm. It won't stop criminals from stealing a vehicle, but will increase the odds that police will recover it and return it.
This isn't an original type of theft, but the ease and speed with the way it can be carried out has caused a lot of concern among motorists. It's a cat-and-mouse game between security professionals and thieves and as technology continues to advance as well, so do the methods used by criminals. Luckily, you can take some simple steps to prevent car theft with keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
If you use the key fob to open and lock your vehicle, the computer inside the vehicle receives a radio alert which informs it that your keys are near. Hackers have found ways to hack into the system and start the car without a key.
The thieves use devices that amplify the weak signal your fob transmits to the car every time you attempt to unlock it or start it. The thieves transmit this signal to the key transponder of the car, and it sends back a code telling the car to open doors or turn on the motor. The code is the same as the one that's on your key fob, so the car is convinced that it's a valid signal from your key fob.
The thief will then take this code, duplicate the blank key, and drive off with your vehicle. It's an inexpensive method as well. These devices can be purchased online for less than $3,000 and are small enough to fit into the pocket of a. How can more info you protect yourself from these devices? Simple ways to protect yourself include placing your keys in a faraday enclosure or keeping them in the refrigerator when at home.
Other options include putting all electrical devices in a safe place and keeping valuables out of sight when you're not in your vehicle. But perhaps the most important thing is to ensure that you always lock your car, even if it's just for a couple of minutes.
According to research conducted by Thatcham, car thefts that involve keyless entry are increasing. It's no wonder, given the number of cars being stolen by savvy thieves who use advanced technology, at an all-time high.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are a creative bunch and have come up with some clever ways to get in and steal vehicles. It's good to know that security experts are working hard to keep up with the times, so it is easier than ever before to secure yourself from theft of keys.
A signal jammer is a sophisticated method that operates on the same frequency as the key fob. The device can be put in the pocket of the criminal or tucked away in the driveway to prevent the car from being locked when the owner uses their key fob. Although there's no evidence to suggest that this method is widely used currently but it could become more widespread in the future.
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. The thieves could log into the owner's app and start the vehicle from there without the necessity of the key fob. It is worth reprogramming the keys if you recently purchased a used vehicle.
You can also help deter thieves by parking your car in garages, if it is possible. This might not stop thieves from stealing your car, but it will make their job more difficult, as they'll need a means to access the computer in the vehicle. It's also worth considering engraving the last seven digits of your VIN onto the mirrors, windows, and headlights, since this will make it more difficult for anyone to change the vehicle's identity in the future.
It's also a good idea to install an alarm system that is secure, such as the ones available from Ring, Amazon Blink, and Google Nest. They can also serve as a smart video doorbell, and can be a great tool to monitor your car when it's in a parking space outside. If you have a driveway, you could also consider a security floodlight that integrates with these cameras. This will alert you to any movement in your driveway and will deter thieves from attempting to lift cars off of the street.
The Stolen Key
Many car manufacturers have replaced the traditional key with a proximity key that sends 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 latest theft method is using what researchers call the CAN bus attack, also known as a controller area network attack. The CAN bus system allows different parts of a car to communicate and is the most sophisticated method of attack against vehicles that do not have keys.
To target a vehicle with a CAN-bus attack, criminals must be able to intercept signals from the onboard diagnostics (OBD) port. This port was developed to be used by professional diagnostic tools. However, thieves can gain access to it by inserting cables. This allows thieves to access the computer code that is used to unlock and start the car.
Shlisel claims it will take between 20 and 30 seconds to copy the signal of a car using an online device that costs less than $100. The crook will simply get into your car and drive away.
In the past, criminals have hacked into vehicles by stealing the radio signal used by the car's key fob to communicate with the onboard system. These crooks use devices that are able to capture the signal and amplify it before they transmit it to a different device that can clone the key fob's cryptographic number. This allows the crooks to unlock your car and start it up, and after that it's a matter of leaving with the contents inside.
As car security experts warn, the danger of keyless theft is growing as manufacturers equip more models with the technology. Even if your car isn't keyless, it is still advisable to be aware, particularly when parking in a public area. Experts recommend that you park your vehicle overnight in a garage or at least somewhere with a good security system, such as motion-detection lights and CCTV.
You should also remove valuables from your vehicle, like mobile phones or Sat Navs. Also, you should lock your car doors and think about engraving the last seven digits on your vehicle's identification number onto your headlights or windows.