Why Car Stolen Keyless Entry Is Relevant 2024
Wiki Article
Keyless Entry and Car Theft
The number of vehicle thefts is growing and thieves are finding new ways to break into vehicles. One of the most well-known methods is keyless entry.
The days of thieves smashed windows and hotwired cars to steal. They can now hack into the computer systems of a vehicle within a matter of minutes.
Relay Attack
Since the introduction to the Push-to Start technology, millions have been able to be able to start their vehicles without having to search for the car keys. However, this same convenience makes cars more vulnerable to theft. The relay attack is a novel technique that thieves can use to steal cars in a matter of seconds. This method uses an amplifier to record and amplify the signal sent by the key fob of your car. It allows thieves to unlock the car and drive off.
Relay attacks are a variation on an older technique called Man-in the-Middle Attacks. This kind of attack can be employed in cybersecurity to intercept communications between two parties and alter it without the other being aware of. In the case of a relay attack, the attacker uses a device to capture the signal from your car's key fob, then transmits the signal to a second device that is nearby. The second device is able to unlock the door and start the engine of your vehicle in just a few minutes.
Criminals can perform a relay attack by making use of a low-cost and readily available device to pick up the signal from an electronic key fob. Usually, thieves operate in pairs, with one person holding the relay amplifier and the other one standing near the home of the victim. The thief swizzles the device towards the home of the victim, and then tricks the car into thinking the key is close by.
To prevent this type theft, some experts suggest that you keep your key fob when it is not in use in a metal container or pouch. However it is a straightforward solution that has been proved to not work against modern relay devices. A better alternative is to purchase a steering wheel lock, which physically blocks the criminal's ability to steer the vehicle after it's stolen.
Many car manufacturers have tried to resolve this issue by introducing features, such as secure keyless entry systems, which use cryptographic methods with time-sensitive codes to defend against relay attacks. However criminals have been able to create devices that defy these measures. The race is now on to find a solution for relay crime that does not hinder the ease of technology that is keyless.
Hacking
A lot of new cars come with keyless entry systems which let drivers open and start their car without needing an actual key or button. However, these systems can be vulnerable to a new type of theft. Thieves could use electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and send it to a transmitter that is held by an accomplice standing near to the car. The person who stole the car then unlocks it and drives away. According to AAA, this method is known as a relay attack. It can be completed within 20-30 seconds.
Thieves often employ cheap devices to mimic wireless key fob signal to record it and send it to an accomplice. The thief then appears to be the owner of the vehicle when the victim presses the key fob to begin or lock the vehicle. They accomplish this by sending a response that appears to the car's system as authentic signal.
More sophisticated thieves have developed devices that can be connected into a car's On Board Diagnostics (OBD) port which is typically located beneath the steering wheel. This port allows mechanics to connect a diagnostic tool. The thief is then able to download data from the car's computers and create an unlocked key fob that is compatible with the specifications of the car. Most vehicles are susceptible to this kind of hacking.
Some thieves have utilized TikTok challenges as a way to train people to create cheap amplifiers that increase the signal from a key fob, allowing an accomplice unlock the car even when it is in the driveway. This has prompted companies such as Kia and Toyota to release software updates which stop this vulnerability.
Experts suggest keeping your car keys away from your home, even in the trunk, so thieves have a difficult to gain access to them. You can also purchase RFID pouches to protect the signal from unauthorised use. These pouches can be bought for just $10. Some come with metal mesh linings. Like your phone and computer it is essential to keep the software on your car up-to-date.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards
The latest car key fobs communicate with vehicles via radio signals, allowing the owners of automobiles to unlock and start their vehicles without touching keys. These new technologies increase the likelihood of theft. Thieves are able to steal the signal from a key fob, if it is left on a table near the front door of the house or in a pocket and they are able to duplicate the signal using devices that are the size of handheld gaming consoles, also known as emulators. They can then unlock the car in just a few minutes and drive away.
Typically, crooks work in pairs. One will stand outside your house holding a relay amplifier while the other holds the device that collects the signal from the key fob. The crooks can then amplify the signal so that it is strong enough to bypass your car's security system.
Another method is to block communication between the key fob and the car. The thieves use signal jammers which emit the same radio frequency as a key fob. This blocks the signal and blocks it from being recognized by the vehicle. The lock button is not working.
As thieves become more sophisticated in their methods auto dealers must be on guard to protect their inventory. Dealerships need to install high-security perimeter fences, with cameras and secure entrances so that thieves cannot drive flatbeds with cars after hours. They should also educate their employees on proper handling of keys, such as locking cars securely and storing keys in a safe place when not when not in use.
Luckily, technology is working to fight these new thieves and stop car thefts. Some car manufacturers are developing key fobs with active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology, which makes it difficult for thieves to amplify the signal of the keys. Furthermore, Faraday cages can be used to block the transmission of signals from a key fob to cars. Other defenses include engraving the last seven digits from your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the windows, headlights and mirrors to prevent the resale or reuse of your vehicle.
VIN Theft
While keyless entry is convenient but it also opens up new opportunities for thieves to steal vehicles. When your car recognises the signal from your remote or wireless key fob, it will unlock the door and start the engine. If the signal is not acknowledged, the vehicle will still lock, but it will not start. This is because you need to hold the key in your hand to press a button on the fob to start the starter.
Even if your car is parked, it is essential to keep your remote and key fob hidden. A criminal can use a small transmitter device to pick up your signal and hijack it. Then, he's able to unlock your door and leave without ever having to touch the actual physical key or ignition.
Criminals may even change the VIN and title of a stolen car to conceal their involvement. This practice is referred to as VIN switching and is currently on increasing. The thieves usually purchase damaged vehicles through auctions or the police department and change the VIN. They then use the legal VIN of a different make and model to get a new registration and title, and then sell it to people who are not aware.
A popular theft deterrent is to have your VIN inscribed into the windshield of your car. Many companies offer kits for this, and in some places the police department or AAA provides this service for free. It's a bit odd that etching could discourage thieves, since it makes your vehicle more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. Professional thieves will stay away from your car due to the fact that they know that etching is a significant obstacle to their pursuit.
The NICB provides a free VINCheck online service that will find out if your vehicle has been reported stolen or salvaged, but was not yet recovered. The service requires a valid VIN to perform a search and is accessible on their website. In addition, a wide assortment of security products available for your car that include audible and visible devices that act as a deterrent to criminals. These include steering wheel website locks and alarms as well as window etching.