15 Reasons Not To Ignore Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
15 Reasons Not To Ignore Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
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Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
Many of the latest vehicles have keyless entry systems which allow drivers to start and open their vehicle without traditional metal keys. However thieves are taking advantage of this technology.
Thieves use simple devices accessible online to record the signal that the fob sends to the car. This allows them to open the car, start it and take off in just a few minutes.
The Relay Attack
A criminal may simply sit by your car and use a device to capture the signal of the key fob. When you pull your door handle the key fob sends a challenge that asks "are you the owner of this vehicle?" The criminal's device beams this response back to the key fob, tricking it into thinking its owner is in the vicinity and unlocking the car. The criminal is then able to get into the car and push the starter button and drive off. The entire procedure can be completed in less than minutes, and there's no need to make entry difficult.
This method, also known as a "relay attack" is a method that can be utilized with many different models. The good news is that the technology that makes this kind of hack possible is cheap and readily available on the internet. That means almost all cars are at risk.
The most well-known type of vehicle targeted is a luxury Range Rover, but any keyless entry vehicle is at risk. It's important to remember that criminals aren't necessarily interested in the vehicle itself, but instead the valuable items inside, such as cash and electronic devices inside.
The easiest way to prevent this type of theft is to ensure that you don't leave valuables in your vehicle. If you are required to leave them in a vehicle ensure that they are stored in a safe box or trunk. You can also park your vehicle between another less desirable vehicle and your garage in order to deter thieves. You can also use a steering-wheel lock to stop criminals from starting the engine.
Trackers are a great investment if you're worried about your high-end car being targeted. This won't stop a criminal from stealing your car, but it will increase the odds of the police being able to find and return it.
It's not a new 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 game of cat and mouse between security professionals and thieves, and as technology advances and evolve, so will the tactics used by criminals. Luckily, you can take some simple steps to prevent car theft using keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
When you use the key fob to start and lock your vehicle, the computer inside the vehicle receives a radio signal that informs it that your keys are in close proximity. Hackers have discovered ways to hack into the system and open the door with no key.
The thieves use devices that amplify the weak signal your fob sends the car every time you attempt to unlock it or start it. They transmit that message to the key transponder in your car which in turn sends back an encrypted code that instructs it to open the doors or start the engine. This code is the same as the one on your key fob, so the car thinks it's a valid signal coming from your key fob.
The thief will copy that code, transfer it onto a blank key and then drive away with your car. It's an inexpensive method as well. These devices are small enough to fit into pockets, and can be purchased on the internet for $3,000 or less. What can you do to protect yourself from these devices? Simple defenses include putting your keys in a faraday cage or keeping them in the refrigerator when at home.
Other measures include hiding all electrical items and keeping valuables car stolen lost spare key out of sight when you are not in your vehicle. The most important thing to remember is to ensure that you lock your vehicle. Even if you're only going away for a short period of time.
According to research by Thatcham, keyless entry vehicle theft is a growing problem. It's no wonder, with the number of vehicles being taken by smart thieves who use advanced technology, at an all-time record.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are a creative bunch, and they've come up with some clever ways to get in and steal vehicles. It's good to know that security experts are at work to keep up with the times and make it easier than ever before to secure yourself from theft via keyless keys.
One of the most sophisticated techniques involves a gadget called a signal jammer, which emits at the same frequency as your key fob. This device can be placed in the pocket of the criminal or tucked away in the drive to prevent the car from being unlocked when the owner uses their key fob. This method may be more popular in the future even though there's no evidence to suggest that it is currently widely used.
Another, more dangerous technique involves hacking into the car's system, which is why it's crucial to ensure that your car has the latest software updates. The thieves could access the owner's app and start the vehicle from there, without the need for an ignition key. If you've recently purchased a secondhand car, consider changing the keys to make it more difficult.
You can also help deter thieves by parking your vehicle in a garage, if possible. While this might not prevent them from stealing the vehicle, it can make their job much harder since they'll need a way to access the car's computer. It's also worth thinking about etching the seven digits that make up your VIN on to the windows, mirrors and headlights. This will make it much more difficult for anyone to change the identity of the vehicle in the future.
It's also worthwhile to consider installing an alarm system for security, such as the ones available from Ring, Amazon Blink, and Google Nest. They can also serve as a smart video doorbell and are a great way to monitor your car when it's parked outside. If you have a driveway you could also look into a security floodlight which integrates with these cameras. This will notify you of any movement in your driveway and will help discourage thieves from trying to lift cars off of the street.
The Stolen Key
Many car manufacturers have replaced the traditional key with a proximity key that transmits signals and can begin and open your car. Criminals have created technology that allows them to hack these systems and steal vehicles without fobs or a button on the keypad.
The most recent theft method involves the use of what's known as the CAN bus attack, or controller area network attack. The CAN bus is the system that allows various components of the car to communicate with one other, and it is the most sophisticated security threat to keyless cars.
To take on a vehicle with a CAN-bus attack, criminals must intercept the signals from the onboard diagnostics (OBD) port. This port was designed to be used by professional diagnostic tools. However, thieves are able to gain access to it by inserting cables. This permits thieves to access the computer code that is used to unlock and start the vehicle.
Shlisel claims it will take between 20-30 seconds to duplicate the signal of a car using a device available online for less than $100. The crook will simply enter your car and take away.
In the past, criminals have attempted to hack into vehicles through hijacking the radio signal used by the key fob of the car to communicate with the onboard system. The crooks employ devices that are able to detect the signal, amplify it, and transmit it to another device to copy the key fob's cryptographic number. The crook will then be able to unlock your car, turn it on and take off with the contents.
Experts in car security warn that the threat of keyless theft grows because more cars are equipped 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 parking your vehicle in a garage overnight or at a place that offers adequate security for your home, such as CCTV or motion-detection lighting.
Apart from that the best option is to keep clutter of your car - getting rid of valuables such as Sat Navs or mobile phones. Additionally, you should be sure to secure your car's doors and think about etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identity Number on your windows or headlights.