Is Car Stolen Keyless Entry As Important As Everyone Says?

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Keyless Entry and Car Theft

The number of car burglaries is increasing and thieves are discovering new ways to get into vehicles. One of the most popular methods is keyless entry.

The days of stealing cars by breaking windows and hotwiring them are long gone. They can now hack the computer systems of a vehicle 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 keys to their car. Unfortunately, this same convenience can make vehicles more vulnerable to theft. Particularly the past, thieves have been able to employ a new method known as the relay attack to steal cars in seconds. This technique uses an instrument to record and amplify the signal by the key fob of your car, which allows thieves to unlock your car and drive away.

Relay attacks are a variant of an older technique called Man-in-the-Middle attacks. This kind of attack could be employed in cybersecurity to snoop on communications between two parties and alter it without either party 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. This second device can unlock the door and start the engine of your vehicle in just a few seconds.

To perform a relay attack criminals need only an inexpensive, readily available device that can detect and amplify the signal coming from your key fob. Usually, thieves will work in pairs. One person holds the relay amplifier, while the other is outside in front of the victim’s house. The thief will then wave the device in front of the victim's house and trick the car into thinking the key is within reach and allows it to unlock and start.

To avoid this kind of theft, experts suggest that you store your key fob whenever not in use in a metallic container or pouch. However, this is a simple solution that has been shown to not work against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a much better choice, since it physically blocks the person who stole the vehicle from steering the vehicle after it was taken.

Many car manufacturers have tried to resolve this issue by introducing features such as secure keyless entry systems, that use cryptographic methods and time-sensitive codes in order to guard against relay attacks. However criminals have managed to create devices that defy these measures. In the end, 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 have keyless entry systems that allow drivers to open and start their vehicle without having to use the use of a key or button. But these systems can also be susceptible to a different type of theft. Thieves could utilize electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and send it to a transmitter carried by an accomplice standing close to the car. The thief can then unlock the vehicle and drive away. According to AAA this method is referred to as a relay attack. It can be completed within 20-30 seconds.

In most cases, thieves use inexpensive devices that mimic wireless key fob signals to collect the signal and relay it to an accomplice. The thief will then appear to be the owner of the car when the victim presses the key fob button to start or lock the vehicle. They accomplish this by sending a message that appears to the car's system as authentic signal.

More sophisticated thieves have developed devices that plug into a car's On Board Diagnostics (OBD) port which is typically located under the steering wheel. This port allows mechanics to connect an instrument for diagnostics. The thief downloads the data from the computer of the car and creates an empty key fob that is compatible with the specifications of the car. Most vehicles are susceptible to this kind of hacking.

Some thieves have employed TikTok challenges as a way to train people to create inexpensive amplifiers that boost the signal of the key fob, which lets an accomplice to unlock the car when it is parked in the driveway. This has prompted companies like Kia and Toyota to release software updates that block this vulnerability.

Experts suggest keeping your car keys further away from your home, and even in the trunk, so thieves have a difficult to gain access to the keys. You can also purchase RFID pouches to protect the signal from unauthorised use. These pouches can be purchased for as little as $10. Some are equipped with metal mesh linings. Just like your computer and phone it is essential to keep the software on your car up-to-date.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards

The latest car key fobs utilize radio signals to communicate with the vehicle, allowing owners to unlock their vehicles and even start them without having to touch the key. However, these new technologies also increase the risk of theft. The signal from a keyfob's sensor can be captured if the fob is placed on a desk near the front door or in a wallet. They can then clone it using simple devices called emulators, that are the size of handheld consoles. From there, they are able to open the car and drive it away in minutes.

The crooks typically work in pairs. One will be outside your house holding a relay amplifier while the other holds the device that records the signal from the key fob. The crooks can then amplify the signal check here so that it is strong enough to evade your car's security system.

Another popular tactic involves simply blocking the communication between the keyfob and the vehicle. The thieves employ signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as a key fob. This jams the signal and stops it from being picked up by the vehicle. The lock button is not working.

Dealers of automobiles must be vigilant to safeguard their inventory as thieves get more sophisticated. Dealerships should install high-security perimeter fencing that includes cameras and a secure entryway to prevent thieves from driving on flatbeds with vehicles after hours. They should also train employees on proper key handling practices and lock vehicles securely and storing them in a safe location when not in use.

Technology is helping to stop car thefts and tackling these new thieves. Some car manufacturers are developing keyfobs with active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology that makes it difficult for thieves to amplify the signal from the keys. Furthermore, Faraday cages can be used to prevent the transmission of signals from a key fob the car. Other defences include etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the headlights, windows, and mirrors to prevent reuse or re-sale of your vehicle.

VIN Theft

While keyless access is great for convenience, it also creates new opportunities for thieves to rob cars. When your car recognises a signal sent from your wireless remote or key fob, it will unlock the door and begin the engine. If the signal isn't recognised, your vehicle will lock, but it won't start. It is necessary to hold the key to turn on the starter.

Even when your vehicle is parked, it is important to keep the remote and key fob hidden. Criminals can steal your signal with a tiny transmitter. Then, he is able to open your door and drive away without ever having to touch the actual physical ignition or key.

In some instances, criminals are even capable of swapping out the vehicle's VIN and title to hide their involvement in the stolen vehicle. This practice is known as VIN switching and is on increasing. Typically, crooks buy a damaged car at auction or from police departments, and then change the VIN. They then take a valid VIN from an alternative model and make the purchase of a brand new title and registration, and then sell the vehicle to unwitting buyers.

A popular method of deterring theft is to have your VIN written into your vehicle's glass. There are several companies that offer kits to do this, and in certain areas, the police department or AAA provides this service for free. It may be counterintuitive to believe that etching can discourage thieves. After all it makes it difficult for dealers to purchase your vehicle. But, a professional thief is aware that etching is a significant stumbling block and will likely avoid the theft of your vehicle.

The NICB also offers a free VINCheck online service that will determine whether your vehicle is reported as salvaged or stolen, but not yet recovered. The service is available only on their website and requires a valid VIN. In addition, a wide range of products to deter crime are available for your car as well as visible and audible devices that serve as a deterrent to criminals. These include the locking of your steering wheel and alarms and window scratching.