Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
Many of the latest vehicles have keyless entry systems that allow drivers to open and start their vehicle without the traditional metal keys. However criminals are taking advantage of this technology.
Thieves are using simple equipment that can be found online to capture the signal the fob transmits to the car. This allows them to open the car, start it up and drive off in just a few seconds.
The Relay Attack
A criminal can simply stand near your vehicle and employ a device to intercept the signal sent by the key fob. The key fob transmits an indication to the device used by the criminal, which tells it the response. The criminal then can get into the car and press the starter button, and drive away. The entire procedure can be completed in a matter of minutes, and there is no need to forcibly enter.
This technique, known as a "relay attack", can be used with a variety of models. The good thing is that the technology that makes this kind of hacking possible can be easily purchased online. This means that nearly all vehicles can be hackable.
The most popular kind of vehicle targeted is a high-end Range Rover, but any vehicle that has a keyless entry system is at risk. It is important to keep in mind that criminals aren't always interested in the vehicle itself, but instead the valuable items inside, such as cash and electronic devices inside.
One of the easiest methods to avoid this kind of theft is to avoid leaving any valuables in your car. If you must leave them in a vehicle be sure that they're secured in a glove box or trunk. You can also park your car between a second less coveted garage and your vehicle to deter thieves, or use a lock for your steering wheel to stop the criminal from getting the engine started.
If you're worried about a luxury vehicle being targeted, then it might be worth looking into an alarm. This won't stop a criminal from stealing your vehicle, however it can increase the odds of the police being able to recover and return it.
While this isn't a new form of theft however the possibility of it being done so swiftly and easily has raised alarm among car owners. It's a game of cat and mouse between security professionals and criminals and, as technology improves and criminal strategies evolve, so do the tactics. You can take a few easy steps to stop car thefts using keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
When you use the key fob to start or lock your car, the computer in the vehicle receives a radio alert that tells it your keys are in close proximity. Hackers have found ways to hack into the system and start the car without a key.
The thieves use devices that amplify the faint signal your fob transmits to the car every time you attempt to unlock it or start it. They transmit that signal to the car's key transponder which in turn sends back an encryption code that tells it whether to open the doors or start the engine. This code is identical as the one you've got on your key fob, therefore the car believes it's a valid signal coming from your key fob.
The criminal will then take this code, duplicate the blank key and then steal your vehicle. It's also a fairly affordable process. The devices can be purchased on the internet for less than $3000 and are small enough to fit in pockets. How can you protect yourself from these devices? Simple defenses include putting your keys in a faraday enclosure or leaving them in the refrigerator when you are at home.
Other methods include etching the last seven digits of your VIN on the front and rear windows as well as making sure that all electrical items are hidden, and ensuring that valuables are away from view when not in your car. The most important thing to keep in mind is to ensure that you lock your vehicle. Even if you're going away for a few minutes.
According to research conducted by Thatcham, car thefts involving keyless entry are increasing. It's no wonder, with the number of cars being stolen by savvy thieves using the latest technology at an all-time high.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are a resourceful group, and they've come up with some clever ways to get in and take vehicles. The good news is that security experts are working hard to keep up with the times, making it easier to protect yourself from theft via keyless keys.
A signal jammer is a sophisticated trick that uses the same frequency as the key fob. It can be put in the pocket of the thief or left somewhere in the drive. It also stops the car from unlocking when the owner has the key fob. This method could be more popular in the near future, even though there is no evidence that it is currently used widely.
Hacking the car's software is yet another more dangerous method. This is why you should always make sure that your vehicle has the most up-to-date software updates. The thieves are able to log into the app of the owner and start the vehicle from there without the necessity of an ignition key. Consider having the keys reprogrammed if you recently purchased a used vehicle.
If you are able, you could also discourage thieves by parking in garages. This won't hinder thieves from taking your car, but it will make their job more difficult, as they will have to find an access point to the computer of the vehicle. It's also worth thinking about etching the seven digits that make up your VIN on the mirrors, windows and headlights, since this will make it more difficult for anyone to change the identity of the vehicle in the future.
It's also worth installing an alarm system that is secure, such as the ones available from Ring, Amazon Blink, and Google Nest. These cameras can also be utilized as a smart video-doorbell and are a great way to monitor your vehicle when it is parked outside. If you have a driveway, you could also look into a security floodlight which integrates with these cameras. It will notify you when there is any movement in your driveway and discourage thieves who may attempt to steal cars off 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. But criminals have developed technology to hack into these systems, allowing them to take cars away without using the fob or the button on the keypad.
Researchers have devised a brand new theft technique that involves what they call an CAN attack, or controller network attack. The CAN bus system permits various parts of a car to communicate and is the most sophisticated method of attack against vehicles that do not have keys.
To attack a vehicle using an attack on the CAN-bus, thieves must be able to intercept signals from the onboard diagnostics (OBD) port. This port is specifically designed to be used by professional diagnostic tools, however it is also accessible to thieves by inserting a specific cable into it. This allows thieves to read the computer's code that is in your car that it uses to unlock and begin your car.
It can take anywhere from 20 to 30 seconds to duplicate the vehicle's signal with an online-based device that costs less than $100, Shlisel says. The criminal will then get into your here vehicle and then drive it away.
In the past, criminals have attempted to hack into vehicles through hijacking the radio signal that is used by the key fob of the car to communicate with the onboard system. The hackers use devices that can take the signal then amplify it and transmit it to another device to clone the key fob's cryptographic code. This enables the crooks unlock your car and start it up, and then it's just a matter of taking off with the items inside.
As car security experts 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 parking in a public place. Experts advise parking your car in a garage overnight, or at least an area that has adequate security for your home, such as CCTV or motion-detection lighting.
In addition the most effective thing you can do is to keep your vehicle clean out of your vehicle - taking away valuable items such as Sat navigation systems or mobile phones. It is also recommended to lock your car doors and consider engraving the last seven digits of your vehicle identification number onto your windows or headlights.