It's Time To Expand Your Car Stolen Keyless Entry Options
Wiki Article
Keyless Entry and Car Theft
Car theft is on the rise and thieves have found new ways to gain access to vehicles. One of the most popular methods is keyless entry.
Gone are the days when thieves broke windows and hotwired cars to steal. They can now hack the computers of a vehicle in minutes.
Relay Attack
Since the introduction to the Push-to Start technology, millions have enjoyed the convenience to be able to start their cars without needing to search for keys to their car. However, this same convenience makes vehicles more vulnerable to theft. In particular thieves have been able to employ a new method known as the relay attack to steal cars in a matter of seconds. This method uses devices that record and amplify the signal that is sent through your car's key fob permitting thieves to unlock the car and drive away.
The relay attack is actually a variation of an older technique known as Man-in-the-Middle attacks. This type of attack is used in cybersecurity to disrupt and alter the communication between two entities without the other party noticing it. In a relay attack the attacker employs an electronic device to record and transmit the signal from the key fob in your car to another device nearby. This second device is able to open the door and start the engine, thereby taking your vehicle away in a matter of minutes.
Criminals can perform a relay attack by using a cheap and readily accessible device to detect the signal from a key fob. Usually, thieves work in pairs, with one person holding the relay amplifier and the other standing near the victim's house. The thief wave the device in the direction of the victim's home, tricking the car into thinking that the key is in close proximity.
To prevent this type theft, some experts recommend that you store your key fob when not being used in a metal container or pouch. This is a basic but ineffective solution against modern relay devices. A far better option is to purchase an ignition lock for the steering wheel, that physically blocks the thief's ability to steer the vehicle after it's stolen.
Many car makers have attempted to resolve this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems, which employ cryptographic techniques with time-sensitive codes to defend against relay attacks. Criminals have created devices that are able to defeat these measures. The race is on to find a solution for the problem of relay crime that does not hinder the ease of technology that does not require keys.
Hacking
Many new cars are equipped with keyless entry systems, which let drivers open and start their vehicle without the need for a physical key or button. However, these systems can be vulnerable to a new kind of theft. The thieves can use electronic devices that copy the signal from the key fob, and then transmit it to an accomplice who holds a transmitter close to the vehicle. The thief then unlocks the vehicle and takes off. This is referred to as relay attack. It can be accomplished in 20 to 30 seconds according to AAA.
Often, thieves can employ inexpensive devices that imitate wireless key fob signals in order to capture the signal and send it to a accomplice. Then, when a victim presses their key fob to lock or open the car, the thief can pretend to be the owner of the car by sending a signal to the car's system that makes it think a genuine signal is being transmitted by the fob.
More sophisticated thieves have developed devices that can be connected into a car's On Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, which is usually situated under the steering wheel. It allows mechanics to connect a diagnostic tool. The thief can then download data from the car's computers and create an unlocked key fob that meets the specifications of the car. Almost all vehicles are vulnerable to this kind of hacking.
Some thieves have used TikTok challenges as a way to train people to create inexpensive amplifiers that boost the signal from a key fob, allowing an accomplice unlock the car when it is parked in the driveway. This has led to manufacturers like Kia to release software updates that mitigate the vulnerability.
Experts recommend keeping your car keys farther away from home, and even in the trunk, so a thief has a harder to gain access to the keys. You can also purchase RFID pouches that help protect the signal from misuse. These pouches can be bought for as little as $10. Some are equipped with metal mesh linings. Like your phone or computer it is essential to keep the software on your car up-to-date.
Radio Frequency Identification Cards
The latest car key fobs communicate with vehicles via radio signals, which allows owners of the cars to open and start their vehicles without touching the key. These new technologies increase the likelihood of theft. Thieves can capture the signal from a key fob if it is left on a table close to the front door of the home or in a pocket and they are able to duplicate the signal using simple devices that are the size of handheld gaming consoles called emulators. They can then open the car in a matter of minutes and drive away.
The crooks usually work in pairs. The crooks usually work in pairs. One will be outside of your house with a relay amplifier, and the other will be equipped with a device that captures a signal from a keyfob. The crooks can then amplify the signal so that it is strong enough to evade your car's security system.
Another method of securing key fobs is by blocking the communication between key fob and the vehicle. The thieves use signal jammers which emit the same radio frequency as the key fob. This jams the signal and blocks it from being recognized by the car. The lock button won't work.
As thieves become more sophisticated in their techniques, auto dealers need to be alert in securing their inventory. Dealerships should install high-security perimeter fencing, with cameras and a secure entryway to ensure that thieves aren't able to drive in flatbeds and vehicles after hours. They should also train employees on proper key handling practices, including securely locking cars and placing them in a secure location when not in use.
Fortunately, technology is helping to stop car thefts and combat these new thieves. For instance, some car manufacturers are developing key fobs that use active RFID chips with frequency-hopping technology to make it harder for thieves to amplify the signal emanating from the key. Faraday cages are another method to stop signals from a keyfob to the vehicle. Other options include etching the last seven numbers of your vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the headlights, windows and mirrors to stop re-sale or re-use of your vehicle.
VIN Theft
While keyless access is great for convenience however, it also creates new opportunities for thieves to steal vehicles. Your car will unlock the doors and start its engine when it detects the signal transmitted by your wireless remote or key fob. However, if the signal isn't recognized the car will lock, but it won't start. It is necessary to hold the key to read more activate the starter.
This is why it's important to keep your remote and key fob out of sight even when your car is parked. A criminal could steal your signal with a tiny transmitter. He can then unlock your door without removing the ignition or key.
In some cases criminals may be capable of swapping a vehicle's VIN and title to conceal their involvement in the theft of the vehicle. This practice is referred to as VIN switching and is currently on increasing. Typically, crooks will buy a damaged vehicle through auctions or police departments and then change the VIN. They then use the legitimate VIN of a different make and model to obtain a new title and registration and then sell it to uninitiated buyers.
The VIN is a very popular method to stop theft. Many companies provide kits for this, and in a few places the police department or AAA provides this service free of charge. It's a bit odd that etching can deter thieves since it makes your car difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. A professional thief would avoid your vehicle because they know that etching is a major obstacle to their pursuit.
The NICB offers a free VINCheck online tool to determine if your car has been reported stolen or salvaged, but was not yet recovered. The service is available only on their website and requires the use of a valid VIN. There are also a variety of crime-deterring devices for your vehicle. These include audible as well as visual devices that are able to deter criminals. These include the locking of your steering wheel and alarms as well as window scratching.