Keyless Cars Being Stolen in Minutes
Criminals target keyless cars that can be stolen within minutes by using online-based equipment. Find out how do keyless cars get stolen thieves can bypass security features on your my car keys have been stolen what do i do and what you can do to protect it.
Keep your key fob in a faraday pouch or aluminium tin to block its signal. You may want to install a steering lock to stop your vehicle from being stolen.
Relay Theft
It’s easy to forget about the dangers of cars that don’t have keys. They can expose your car to high tech criminals. Relay theft is among the latest hacking techniques that thieves use.
Two criminals can steal your car using this method. The first thief, who is positioned near your home, utilizes equipment to boost the signal of a key fob. He then transmits the amplified signal to the second thief who is standing near your car. The second thief will use their device to mimic the signal of your fob and then unlock the car or start the engine, allowing them to take off with the car.
The devices can be purchased online for relatively low prices. They can be used on any car, from the newest SUVs to the earliest Honda Civics. Certain vehicles are at greater risk than others. Cars that are in high demand from thieves, whether due to their resale value or the ease of dismantling components, are usually targeted by criminals. You should park your car in a well lit area and remove anything valuable from the vehicle (including the owner’s guide that may include the valet’s key).
According to tracking company Tracker UK, the UK has seen record numbers of thefts utilizing this method. In July 2023, they accounted for 98% of the stolen vehicles that the company helped recover.
To reduce the chances of being a victimized experts recommend installing aftermarket car security systems like alarms and GPS trackers. They also suggest storing keys in metal containers, signal blocking bags or Faraday boxes, which can help prevent relay attacks.
Dealerships can protect their inventory by installing physical security measures, such as perimeter fencing, surveillance camera systems and well-lit areas. They should also train their employees on how to handle lockdown and keys to avoid theft. If they are selling older vehicles, then they should consider an ignition immobilizer installed by the dealer. This will stop thieves from driving off with the vehicle, after tricking the system into believing it is still on the lot of the dealership.
Theft of Transponders
As car makers upgrade their keyless technology to make cars more secure, thieves are upgrading their own equipment to keep up. One method criminals are using is known as a relay attack which is when two individuals collaborate to steal a vehicle that is keyless. A thief stands outside the home of the victim, using the aid of a device that receives the signal from a key fob, which is then transmitted to a second person who waits by the car keys stolen from house. If the copied signal is detected the door opens and the car begins to move with no necessity for the actual key to be present. This has been recorded on security cameras in homes which show cars being driven away in seconds.
This is a growing risk to owners of all kinds and models, putting older luxury cars at risk. Tracker UK, a tracking company in the UK reported that 98% of the high-tech vehicles it retrieved last year were stolen using keyless systems. And older luxury cars with lower-end keyless systems are most at risk which includes Mercedes C- and E-Class, BMW 3 Series, Land Rover Discovery and Jaguar XF models.
Another method of keyless theft is code stealing that can occur when you’re not paying attention to where you place your key fob. You may forget to remove it from your pocket after leaving the home. If your fob is in the range of an in-home intelligent hub or security system that can be hacked, it is possible to gain access to the vehicle’s control systems. A hacker with a solid understanding of electronics can alter the code of the vehicle to do whatever they want, like disabling ignition and driving away.
It is important to protect your vehicle and be aware of these attacks. You can reduce the risk of theft by parking your vehicle in a gated or locked garage. If that’s not possible you could consider installing a motion-sensored camera that has a view of your driveway. You can also purchase signal-blocking accessories, such as boxes and bags, which are designed to prevent thieves from taking over your key fob’s signals when they’re in close proximity to an electronic jammer.
Theft of Programming
The technology of keyless vehicles is convenient for us, but they could make them easier to be stolen by thieves. The most common method of stealing a vehicle through keyless entry systems is called a “relay attack”. The thieves work in pairs, using equipment to intercept your fob’s signals as it approaches the ignition or door to unlock your vehicle.
The keyless system works on low-power radio waves that only work when the key fob is close to the ignition or door. However, a skilled hacker can make use of specially designed equipment to increase the amount of 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 open or start it even though it might be a few meters away from the victim’s home, or in their pocket.
Some cars have an extra security feature that blocks the ignition if the fob is too far away, but this only works if the vehicle has been programmed to recognize the fob’s signal at specific frequency. Hackers who have the code for the car system are able to reprogram the key fob so that it works at the frequency the car stolen with keys from house has been programmed to recognize. This can bypass the security feature.
Criminals can get the code for your car stolen with keys in it progressive‘s keyless transmission by inserting a device known as a “key programmer” that is available on the internet for less than $1000 and is inserted into the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port usually found beneath the steering wheel. This tool can then download the car’s specific information onto the blank key fob allowing it to unlock and start your vehicle exactly as a genuine key fob would.
These tools are readily available online and allow criminals to target many different makes and models. The most sought-after keyless entry vehicles are made by luxury manufacturers such as BMW Audi Mercedes and Jaguar. These are the ones which are the most frequently targeted. Tracker is an insurance firm discovered that luxury models were responsible for more than half of the high-tech thefts it helped to recover.
Theft of Lockout
Criminals can easily exploit the flaws of keyless entry systems. While the old method of smashing car windows and hotwiring vehicles is still common, more and more thieves use high-tech methods that permit them to steal cars without entering homes. According to Tracker’s data that car thefts in the U.K. have reached an all-time peak, with keyless thefts accounting for a significant portion of the total.
Many of these new techniques are not only less expensive than traditional car theft but they can also be completed in just a few minutes. A group of two thieves, for instance, can use a device that intercepts the signal from the keyfob, and sends it directly to the transmitter in the hand of the other person who is stealing. The other thief can then unlock the car and leave. The devices can be purchased for just $100 and are compatible with various car models.
The thieves are now able to as well as using these advanced methods, encrypt the data transmitted by a key fob. They can then copy it and transfer it to a blank fob. These keys that have been cloned will be able to unlock and start the vehicle, even when the original key is not 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 a variety of cars with this method. This means that it is not necessary to target specific car models or brands.
Car manufacturers now offer preventative measures to keep cars safe against these new threats. For instance, Kia has created a faraday bag that can be tucked inside the pocket of a driver’s key fob to block signals and safeguard it from theft. Other options include creating spare keys and storing them in secure yet accessible places, installing surveillance cameras around the driveway and at home, and using apps that ensure you don’t leave your car in the dark. Finally, it’s recommended to check regularly the battery status of your key fob to avoid it becoming dead.