Keyless Entry and Car Theft
Car theft is increasing and thieves have discovered new ways to gain access to vehicles. One of the most common methods is keyless entry.
The days of stealing cars by breaking windows and wiring them over. Today, they can hack the computer systems of a vehicle in minutes.
Relay Attack
Since the introduction of Push-to-Start technology millions of motorists have benefited from having the ability to start their vehicle without having to reach for keys. However, this convenience makes vehicles more vulnerable. Particularly the past, thieves have been able utilize a technique that is called the relay attack to steal cars in a matter of seconds. This technique makes use of an amplifier to capture and amplify the signal generated by the car’s keyfob. It allows thieves to unlock your car and drive off.
The relay attack is an alteration of an older technique known as Man-in the-Middle attacks. This type of attack is utilized in cybersecurity to intercept and alter the exchange of information between two parties without the other party noticing it. In the scenario of a relay attack the attacker employs a device to intercept the signal from the key fob in your car, then transmits that signal to a different device that is close by. This second device is able to open the door and start the engine, effectively taking your vehicle away in a matter of minutes.
Criminals can perform a relay attack by using a simple and easily available device to capture the signal from an electronic key fob. Usually, thieves work in pairs, with one holding the relay amplifier and the other standing near the victim’s house. The thief wave the device towards the victim’s home, tricking the car into thinking the key is nearby.
Some experts recommend storing your key fob in a steel container, signal-blocking pouch or Faraday bag whenever not in use to avoid this kind of theft. However it is a straightforward solution that has been proven to not work against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a better choice, since it physically stops the thief from driving the vehicle after it has been stolen.
Many vehicle manufacturers have tried to tackle this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems that rely on cryptographic methods and time-sensitive codes to guard against relay attacks. However criminals have managed to develop devices that defeat these measures. The race is on to find a solution for relay crime that does not hinder the ease of technology that is keyless.
Hacking
Many new cars are fitted with keyless entry systems, that allow drivers to open and start their car without the need for an actual key or button. These systems are vulnerable to a new type of theft. Thieves can 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. This is referred to as a relay attack and can be done in 20 to 30 seconds according to AAA.
Often, thieves can keyless car be stolen make use of inexpensive devices that mimic wireless key fob signals to capture the signal and send it to a accomplice. The thief will then appear to be the owner of the car when the victim presses the key fob button to start or close the vehicle. They accomplish this by sending a signal that appears to the car system as a genuine signal.
The more sophisticated thieves have designed devices that can plug into the On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD) which is located usually under the steering wheel. This port allows mechanics to connect diagnostic tools. The thief is then able to download information from the car’s computer and create an empty key fob that meets the specifications of the car. Nearly all cars are vulnerable to this kind of hacking.
Some thieves have used TikTok challenges to teach people to make cheap amplifiers that increase the signal from a key fob, allowing an accomplice to unlock the car even when it is in the driveway. This method has led to manufacturers like Kia and Toyota to release software updates that stop this vulnerability.
Experts recommend that you keep your car keys in a trunk or a place further away from home so that a thief cannot easily gain access to them. You can also consider investing in RFID pouches that protect the signal and discourage unauthorised use. Some of these pouches come with mesh linings made of metal, and can be purchased at a low cost of around $10. It is also essential to keep your car’s software up to date, just as you would with your computer and phone.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards
The most recent car key fobs make use of radio signals to communicate with the vehicle and allow owners to unlock their vehicles and start them without needing to touch the key. However, these new technologies are also increasing the risk of theft. Thieves are able to steal the signal from a key fob when it is placed on a table close to the front door of the house or in a pocket and they are able what to do if car keys are stolen duplicate the signal using devices that are the size of handheld gaming consoles called emulators. From there, they are able to open the car and take it away in a matter of minutes.
Typically, crooks operate in pairs. One will be outside your house holding a relay amplifier, and the other will hold the device that records the signal from a key fob. The crooks can then amplify the signal so that it is strong enough to evade your car’s security system.
Another popular tactic involves simply blocking the communication between keyfob and vehicle. The thieves do this using signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as a key fob. This blocks the signal and stops it from being recognized by the car. The lock button won’t work.
Dealers in the auto industry must be on guard to safeguard their inventory as thieves get more sophisticated. Dealerships need to implement high-security perimeter fencing that includes cameras and a secure entryway so that thieves can’t drive in flatbeds and vehicles after hours. They should also educate their employees on proper handling of my keys were stolen, which includes locking cars securely and storing them safely when not when not in use.
Luckily, technology is working to fight these new thieves and stop car thefts. Some car manufacturers are developing key fobs that have active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology that makes it more 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 engraving the last seven digits from your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the windows, headlights and mirrors to prevent the resale or reuse of your vehicle.
VIN Theft
Keyless entry is convenient, but it also provides new opportunities for thieves to steal cars. Your car stolen car key what to do keyless entry (visit the next site) will unlock doors and start its engine when it detects the signal transmitted by your wireless key fob or remote. If the signal isn’t recognized, your car will be locked, but it will not start. You must hold the key to activate 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 could use a tiny transmitter to intercept your signal and then steal it. Then, he is able to unlock your door and drive away without ever having to touch the actual ignition or key.
In certain instances, criminals are even capable of swapping the vehicle’s VIN and title to conceal their involvement in the stolen vehicle. This practice is referred to as VIN switching and is on the rise. The thieves usually purchase a damaged vehicle through auctions or the police department and change the VIN. They then use the legitimate VIN of a different make and model to obtain a new registration and title, and then sell it to unsuspecting buyers.
The VIN is a popular way to stop theft. Many companies offer kits for this, and in some areas, the police department or AAA offers this service for free. It may seem strange to think that etching could discourage thieves. In the end it makes it difficult for dealers to buy your vehicle. But, a professional thief is aware that etching can be an important stumbling block and will probably deter them from taking your car.
The NICB also offers a no-cost online VINCheck service to check whether your vehicle has been reported as stolen or salvaged, but not yet recovered. The service requires an active VIN to perform a search and is accessible on their website. Additionally, a vast range of products to deter crime are available for your car, including audible and visible devices that serve as a deterrent for criminals. Some of them include steering wheel locks, alarms and window etching.