It's Time To Increase Your Car Stolen Keyless Entry Options
Wiki Article
Keyless Entry and Car Theft
The number of car thefts is growing, and thieves are finding new ways to gain access to vehicles. One of the most popular methods is keyless entry.
The days of thieves broke windows and hotwired vehicles to steal. Now they can hack into the computer systems of vehicles in minutes.
Relay Attack
Since the introduction to the Push-to Start technology, millions of people have been able to be able to start their vehicles without needing to reach for a car key. However, this same convenience can make vehicles more vulnerable to theft. The relay attack is a novel technique that thieves use to steal cars within seconds. This technique makes use of an amplifier to amplify and capture the signal sent by the key fob of your car. It allows thieves to unlock the car and drive off.
The relay attack is an alteration of an older method known as Man-in the-Middle attacks. This kind of attack can be employed in cybersecurity to intercept communications between two entities and alter it without knowing. In a relay attack the attacker employs an electronic device to capture and transmit the signal from the key fob of your car to a device nearby. The second device is able to open the door and begin the engine, effectively stealing your vehicle in seconds.
To perform an attack using relays, criminals simply need an inexpensive, readily available device that can detect and amplify the signal coming from your key fob. Typically, thieves work in pairs, with one holding the relay amplifier, and the other standing near the home of the victim. The thief will then wave the device in front of the victim's house, which tricks the car into thinking the key is in range and allows it to be opened and started.
Some experts suggest storing your key fob in a metallic container, signal-blocking pouch or Faraday bag when not in use to prevent this type of theft. However this is a basic solution that has been proved to be ineffective against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a superior option, since it physically stops the thief from driving the vehicle once it's been stolen.
Many car makers have attempted to solve this problem by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems which use cryptographic methods with time-sensitive codes to protect against relay attacks. However criminals have managed to develop devices that defeat these measures. This is why the race is on to discover a way to stop relay crime while preserving the convenient nature of technology that is keyless.
Hacking
Many new cars are equipped with keyless entry systems which let drivers open and start their car without the need for a physical key or button. But these systems can also be susceptible to a different kind of theft. Thieves could use electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and send it to a transmitter held by an accomplice standing near to the car. The criminal then unlocks the vehicle and is able to drive away. According to AAA the method is referred to as a relay attack. It can be completed within 20-30 seconds.
Thieves can often use inexpensive devices to mimic wireless key fob signal to capture it and transmit it to a partner. The thief then appears to be the owner of the vehicle when the victim presses the key fob to begin or shut the car. They do this by sending a signal that appears to the car's system as a genuine signal.
More sophisticated thieves have created devices that plug into a car's On Board Diagnostics (OBD) port that is usually located under the steering wheel. It allows mechanics to connect an instrument for diagnostics. The thief can then download information from the car's computer and create a blank key fob that meets the car's specifications. This type website of hacking is possible with virtually all cars.
Some criminals have even used TikTok challenges to teach people how to make inexpensive amplifiers that increase the signal from a key fob and allow an accomplice to unlock the vehicle from a distance, even though it's in the driveway. This has prompted companies such as Kia and Toyota to update their software that block this vulnerability.
Experts recommend that you keep your keys to your car in a trunk, or a location that is further away from your home, so that a burglar can't easily access the keys. You can also consider investing in RFID pouches that protect the signal and discourage unauthorized use. Some of these pouches have metal mesh linings and are available at a price that is around $10. Similar to your computer and phone it is essential to keep the software on your car up-to-date.
Radio Frequency Identification Cards
The latest car key fobs make use of radio signals to communicate with the vehicle and allow owners to unlock their cars and start them without having to touch the key. These new technologies increase the risk of theft. Thieves can steal the signal from a key fob when it is placed on a table close to the front door of the home or in a pocket and they can clone the signal using simple devices the size of handheld gaming consoles called emulators. They can then open the car in a matter of minutes and drive off.
Typically, the crooks work in pairs. One will be outside your home, holding a relay amplifier while the other holds the device that captures the signal from a key fob. The crooks can then amplify the signal to ensure it is strong enough to bypass your car's security systems.
Another popular tactic is to block communication between the key fob and the car. The thieves use signal jammers which emit the same radio frequency as a keyfob. This muddles the signal, stopping it from being received by the car, which prevents the lock button from working.
Dealers in the auto industry must be on guard to guard their inventory as thieves become more sophisticated. Dealerships need to install high-security perimeter fences that include cameras and secure entrances to ensure that thieves cannot drive flatbeds on cars at night. They should also instruct employees on proper key handling practices, including securely locking cars and placing them in a secure location when not in use.
Technology is helping stop car thefts and fight the new thieves. Certain car makers are creating key fobs with active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology that makes it more difficult for thieves to amplify the signal from the keys. Additionally, Faraday cages can be used to stop the transmission of signals from a key fob to the car. Other defenses include engraving the last seven digits from your vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the windows, headlights, and mirrors in order to prevent the resale and reuse of your vehicle.
Theft of VIN
Keyless entry is practical, but it opens up new possibilities for thieves to take cars. Your car will unlock doors and start the engine when it recognizes the signal sent by your wireless key fob or remote. If the signal isn't recognised, your vehicle will be locked, but it will not start. You need to hold the key to turn on the starter.
This is why it's important to keep your key fob and remote out of sight even when your car is in a parking spot. Criminals can use a small transmitter device to detect your signal and then steal it. He can then open your door without removing the ignition or key.
In some cases criminals may be able to swap out a vehicle's VIN and title to hide their involvement in the stolen vehicle. This practice is known as VIN switching and is on increasing. The thieves typically purchase damaged vehicles at an auction or from the police department, and then alter the VIN. They then use the genuine VIN of a different brand and model to get an updated registration and title, and then sell it to people who are not aware.
A popular method of deterring theft is to have your VIN written into the windshield of your car. Many companies provide kits for this, and in some areas, the police department or AAA provides this service at no cost. It's a bit odd that etching can deter thieves, as it makes your vehicle more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. However, a professional criminal knows that etching will be a significant stumbling block and will likely avoid taking your car.
The NICB also offers a free VINCheck service online to determine whether your vehicle has been reported as a stolen or salvaged but has not yet been recovered. The service is only available on their website and requires a valid VIN. Additionally, a vast range of products to deter crime are available for your car that include audible and visible devices that act as a deterrent to criminals. These include the locking of your steering wheel and alarms, as well as window etching.