Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry

Many modern cars have keyless entry systems, allowing drivers to open their car and start it without the requirement for traditional keys made of metal. However criminals are taking advantage of the technology.

The thieves employ simple equipment that is available online to capture signals that are sent by the fob to the car. This allows them to drive away in seconds, open the car, and then begin it.

The Relay Attack

A criminal can simply sit by your vehicle and employ a device to intercept the signal of the key fob. When you pull your door handle, the key fob transmits an alert that asks "are you the owner of this vehicle?" The criminal's device transmits this message back to the key fob, luring it into thinking the owner is nearby, and then unlocks the car. The criminal is then able to get into the car, press the starter button and drive off. The entire process can be completed in less than minutes, and there's no requirement to forcibly enter.

This method is referred to as a relay attack, and it is a possibility on a variety of models. The good thing is that the technology that makes this kind of hack possible is cheap and easily available on the internet. This means that almost all vehicles are at risk.

The most common type of vehicle that is targeted by criminals is a premium Range Rover. However, any car that has keyless access is also at risk. It is important to keep in mind that criminals aren't necessarily interested in the vehicle itself, but instead the valuable items like cash and electronic devices inside.

The best way to avoid this type of theft is to never leave valuables in your vehicle. If you have to leave them in your car, secure them in the trunk or glove box. You could also consider parking your vehicle between a less popular garage and your vehicle to deter thieves. You can also use a steering wheel lock to prevent the thief from starting the engine.

If you're concerned about your luxury vehicle being targeted, then you might want to looking into an alarm. This won't prevent a criminal from stealing a car however it increases the likelihood that police can locate and return it.

Although this isn't an entirely new method of theft but the fact that it can be done so quickly and easily has caused alarm amongst car owners. It's a game of cat-and-mouse between security professionals and criminals, and as technology advances, so will criminal tactics. Luckily you can take easy steps to avoid car theft with keyless entry.

The Transponder Attack

If you use the key fob to open and lock your car, the computer in the vehicle receives a radio message that informs it that your keys are in close proximity. Hackers have found ways to hack into the system to start the car with no key.

To do this, criminals have been using devices that amplify the typically faint message your fob sends to the vehicle to let it know that you're trying to unlock it or start it. They then relay that message to the key transponder of the car which in turn sends back an encryption code that tells it whether to open the doors or start the engine. The code is the same as the one that's on your key fob, therefore the car is convinced that it's a valid signal from your key fob.

The thief will then take this code, copy the key blank and then drive off with your car key stolen but not car vehicle. It's also a very cost-effective process. These devices can be bought on the internet for less than $3000 and are small enough to be stuffed into the pocket of a. So, how do you protect yourself against the dangers of these devices? Simple ways to protect yourself include placing your keys in a faraday enclosure or leaving them in the refrigerator when you're at home.

Other measures include putting away all electrical devices and keeping valuables out of sight when you are not in your vehicle. Perhaps the most important thing to do is ensure that you always lock your car, even if it's just for a short time.

According to research conducted by Thatcham, car thefts that involve keyless entry are on the rise. It's not surprising, considering the number of vehicles being taken by smart thieves using the latest technology at an all-time high.

The Flat Battery Attack

Car thieves are clever and have come up with clever methods to steal vehicles. The good news is that security experts are also working hard to keep up with the times, so it's never been easier to safeguard yourself from keyless theft.

A signal jammer is a sophisticated trick that uses the same frequency as the key fob. It can be put in the thief's pocket or hidden in the drive. It stops the car from being unlocked when the owner uses the key fob. Although there's no evidence that this method is used widely currently however, it may become more common in the future.

Hacking the car's software is yet another more dangerous method. This is why you should always ensure that your car has the most up-to-date software updates. The thieves can connect to the owner's app and start the vehicle from there, without the need for an ignition key. If you recently purchased a secondhand car, consider getting the keys reprogrammed to make it more difficult.

If possible, you can also discourage thieves by parking in garages. It's not going to hinder thieves from taking your car, but it will make their task more difficult, as they will need to find ways to gain access to the computer in the vehicle. Consider etching your VIN's last seven digits onto the headlights, windows and mirrors. This will make it more difficult for thieves to alter the identity of the vehicle.

It's also a good idea to install an alarm system that is secure such as those available from Ring, Amazon Blink, and Google Nest. These cameras can be used as a smart video doorbell, and are an excellent option to monitor your car when it is in a parking space outside. If you have a driveway you could also think about a security floodlight that integrates with these cameras. This will alert you if there is any movement in your driveway and discourage thieves who may attempt to remove cars from the street.

The Stolen Key

Many car makers have replaced the traditional key with a proximity key that sends an electronic signal that can be used to start and open your car. Criminals have developed technology that enables them to hack into these systems and steal cars that do not have fobs or button on the keypad.

Researchers have come up with a novel theft technique that involves what they call an CAN attack, or controller network attack. The CAN bus is the system that allows different components of the car to communicate with one other, and it is the most sophisticated attack against keyless cars.

To take on a car with an attack on the CAN bus the thieves must be able to intercept the signals from the car's onboard diagnostics port (OBD). This port was created to be used by professional diagnostic tools. However, criminals can access it by inserting an unprotected cable. This permits thieves to read the computer's code that is in your car, which is what it uses to unlock and begin your car.

It can take anywhere from 20 to 30 seconds to copy the vehicle's signal with a device sold online for less than a hundred dollars, Shlisel says. The criminal will then get into your vehicle and drive it away.

Criminals have in the past hacked into cars by hijacking radio signals used by key fob in the car to communicate with its onboard system. The criminals employ devices to intercept the signal and amplify it, transmit it to a different device to duplicate the key fob's encryption code. The crook can then unlock your car, start it and take off with the contents.

As experts in car security warn, the threat of theft via keyless locks is growing as manufacturers equip more models with the technology. Even if your vehicle isn't keyless, it is still advisable to be aware, particularly when you park it in a public space. Experts recommend that you park your vehicle overnight in a garage or at least somewhere with good security such as motion detection lights and CCTV.

It is also recommended to remove valuables from your vehicle, including mobile phones or Sat Navs. Moreover, you should make sure that you secure your car's doors and you may want to etch the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identity Number on your windows or headlights.