The Biggest Issue With Keyless Cars Being Stolen And How To Fix It
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Keyless Cars Being Stolen in Minutes
Criminals target cars with keys which can be taken away in minutes with the help of equipment that is sold online. Find out how criminals are able to circumvent security features and how you can do to safeguard your vehicle.
Keep your key fob in a faraday pouch or aluminum tin to block its signal. Also, consider fitting an ignition lock on your steering wheel to prevent the car being driven away.
Relay Theft
The ease of using keyless vehicles makes it easy to forget that they also make your vehicle vulnerable to high-tech criminals. Relay theft is among the most advanced hacking techniques criminals employ.
Two criminals can steal your car with this method. The first thief, who is standing near your house, uses equipment to boost the signal of a key fob. He then transmits the amplified signal to the second thief standing near your vehicle. The second thief will use their device to mimic the signal of your fob and then unlock the car or start the engine and take off with the car.
Online, these devices are available at a relatively low price. They can be used on any kind of vehicle from the latest SUVs to the oldest Honda Civics. Certain cars are more at risk than others. Criminals target cars that are highly sought after by thieves because of their high resale value or the ease with which they can be dismantled. This is why it is important to park in a well-lit spot and ensure that you don't store anything valuable in the car (including the owner's manual, which could contain keys for valet service).
In the UK, thefts using this method are at an all-time high according to the tracking company Tracker UK. In July 2023, they accounted for 98% of the stolen vehicles that the company assisted to recover.
Experts recommend installing aftermarket security devices such as alarms and GPS trackers to decrease the chance of becoming a victim. They also suggest keeping keys in a container made of metal, signal-blocking pouch, or Faraday box, which will stop relay attacks.
Dealerships can also help protect their inventory by implementing robust physical security measures like perimeter fencing, surveillance cameras, and well-lit areas. In addition, they should educate staff on proper procedures for handling keys and lockdown procedures to prevent thefts. And if they sell older vehicles, they should think about installing an ignition immobilizer installed by the dealer. This will prevent thieves from taking the car after fooling the system into thinking that it's still in the dealership lot.
Theft of Transponders
As car makers upgrade their keyless technology to make vehicles more secure, thieves are upgrading their own equipment to keep up. Criminals use relay attacks to steal cars that are keyless. Two people work together. A thief stands outside the victim's house with a device that picks up the signal from a key fob, which is then transmitted to a person who is waiting by the vehicle. The car will start if the copied signal is recognized. This has been documented on security cameras at home which show cars being driven away in seconds.
This is a growing threat to owners of all makes and models, with even older luxury cars in danger. In fact, the tracing company Tracker UK reported that keyless thefts make up 98% of all the high-tech cars it helped recover in the last year. Older luxury vehicles with less sophisticated keyless systems are the most at risk such as Mercedes C- and E-Class, BMW 3 Series, Land Rover Discovery and Jaguar XF models.
Code theft is another method to steal a keyless car. This could happen if you don't be aware of where you put your key fob. You might forget to take it out of your pocket before leaving the house. If your device is in the range of an in-home intelligent security or hub that can be hacked, it is possible to gain access to the vehicle's control systems. Hackers with a thorough understanding of electronics could reprogram the car to perform whatever they want it do, such as disable the ignition and start driving off.
It is crucial to safeguard your vehicle and be aware of these attacks. You can limit the danger by parking in a locked garage or gated and safe car park. If this isn't feasible, install a motion-sensored video camera that can view your driveway. You can also purchase signal-blocking accessories, such as bags and boxes, which are designed to stop thieves from hijacking your key fob's signals if they are within the vicinity of an electronic jammer.
Programming Theft
The technology used in keyless cars makes them more comfortable for us, but it can also make them more easy for thieves to take. The "relay attack" is a typical method to steal a vehicle using keyless entry systems. The thieves work in pairs, using devices to capture your fob's signal as it nears the ignition or door to unlock your vehicle.
The keyless system is based on low-power radio signals that only work when the fob is close to the door or ignition. However, a skilled hacker could use specially-designed equipment to amplify the communication between the vehicle and the fob, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the system. This allows criminals to fool the vehicle into believing that the fob is close enough to allow it to start or unlock it even though it could be metres away inside the victim's home, or in their pockets.
Some cars have an extra security feature that disables the ignition when the fob is too far away, but this only is applicable if the vehicle been programmed to recognize the fob's signal at certain frequency. If hackers can gain access to the code for the car's system, they could modify the fob's programming to operate at the frequency that the car is programmed to detect and thus bypass the security feature.
The On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD) is typically located beneath the steering wheel, can be used by thieves to obtain the coding of your keyless transmission. This device, also known as a key programmer, is available on the internet for less than $1,000. This tool can download the specific data of your car to a blank keyfob which allows the fob to be unlocked and start the vehicle as in the manner of a genuine thing.
They are get more info easily available online, and permit criminals to target various types and makes. The most well-known keyless entry vehicles are made by luxury manufacturers like BMW Audi Mercedes and Jaguar. These are the vehicles that are targeted the most. Tracker an insurance company has found that luxury models were responsible for about half of all high-tech thefts it helped to recover.
Theft of a Lockout
While keyless entry vehicles are a fantastic convenience, it doesn't require any experience to spot weaknesses in the system. While the old method of smashing windows into cars and hotwiring cars is still popular, more criminals are using high-tech techniques that permit them to steal cars without entering homes. According to the data of tracking company Tracker car thefts in the U.K. have reached an all-time peak, with keyless thefts accounting for a significant portion of the total.
These new methods aren't just less expensive than traditional car thefts but can be completed within a matter of minutes. A group of two thieves, for example could employ devices that capture the signal from the keyfob and transmits it directly to a transmitter that is in the hands of the other person who is stealing. The other thief could then unlock the car and leave. The tools employed by these criminals can be purchased for just $100, and they function effectively on a variety of makes and models.
The thieves are now able to as well as using these advanced techniques, also capture the data sent from a key fob. They can then copy the data and upload it to a blank fob. The cloned keys will be able to unlock and start a vehicle, even if the original key isn't present.
ADAC's research revealed that hundreds of popular cars, including the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Prius are susceptible to this kind of theft. A single key can be used to unlock multiple cars with this method. This means it is not necessary to target specific car models or manufacturers.
To help keep cars safe from these new threats, car manufacturers are now offering security measures. For instance, Kia has created a faraday bag that can be tucked inside the pocket of the driver's key fob to block signals and guard against theft. Other options include creating extra keys and keeping them in safe but accessible places or installing cameras around your home and driveway or using apps to ensure you aren't forgetting about your car. Also, it's recommended to check regularly the battery condition of your key fob in order to avoid it going flat.