Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry

Many newer cars feature keyless entry systems, allowing drivers to open their car and start it without the need for traditional keys made of metal. The technology is being abused by thieves.

Thieves are using simple equipment accessible online to record the signal sent by the fob to the car. This allows them to leave in a matter of seconds, open the car, and then begin it.

The Relay Attack

A criminal can simply stand near your car and use a device to capture the signal from the key fob. When you pull your door handle, the key fob transmits a challenge that asks "are you the owner of this vehicle?" The criminal's device transmits this message back to the key fob, luring it into thinking its owner is nearby and unlocking the car. The criminal can then enter the vehicle, press the starter button, and drive off. The entire process can be completed in a matter of minutes, and there is no requirement to forcibly enter.

This technique is referred to as a relay attack and it is a possibility on a variety of models. The good news is that the technology that makes this type of hack possible can be easily purchased online. That means almost all cars are at risk.

The most popular kind of vehicle targeted is a high-end Range Rover, but any keyless entry car is at risk. Be aware that criminals are not focused on the car in itself, but rather the valuable items inside like electronic gadgets and cash.

One of the easiest ways to prevent this type of theft is to avoid leaving any valuables in your car. If you have to leave them in a vehicle, make sure they're locked away in a glove box or trunk. You can also park your car between a less appealing vehicle and your garage to discourage thieves. Or, you can employ a lock for the steering wheel to prevent the criminals from beginning the engine.

If you're concerned about your high-end vehicle being targeted, then you might want to taking a look at a tracker. It won't stop criminals from stealing your car however it can increase the chances of the police being able to find and return it.

While this isn't a new type of theft however the possibility of it being done so quickly and easily has caused alarm amongst car owners. It's a game of cat-and-mouse between security professionals and criminals and, as technology advances as does criminality, so will the tactics used. It is possible to take a few simple steps to stop car thefts using keyless entry.

The Transponder Attack

When you use your key fob to start and lock your vehicle, the computer inside the vehicle receives a radio signal which informs it that your keys are close by. Hackers have found ways to hack into the system to start the car without a key.

To do this, thieves have been using devices to amplify the normally faint message that your fob sends to the vehicle to let it know that you're trying to unlock or start it. The thieves then relay this message to the key transponder in the car, which transmits back a code that tells the car to open doors or turn on the motor. This code is identical as the one on your key fob, which means the car is convinced that it's a valid signal coming from your key fob.

The thief will take that code, clone it onto a blank key and then leave with your car. It's an inexpensive method, too. These devices are small enough to slide into pockets, and can be purchased on the internet for around $3,000 or less. How can you safeguard yourself from these devices? A few simple ways to protect yourself are placing your keys in a Faraday cage or even leaving them in the fridge while you're at home.

Other options include engraving the last seven digits of your VIN on the front and rear windows, making sure all electrical devices are covered and ensuring that valuables are away from view when not in your vehicle. The most important thing to remember is to ensure that you lock your car. Even if you're just leaving it for a few moments.

According to research conducted by Thatcham, keyless entry vehicle theft is on the rise. It's not surprising that the amount of cars stolen by sophisticated thieves using the latest technologies is at a peak.

The Flat Battery Attack

Car thieves are resourceful and have come up with some clever ways to rob cars. The good news is that security experts are also striving to keep up with the times, so it's never been more simple to secure yourself from theft of keys.

A signal jammer is a sophisticated method that operates on the same frequency as the key fob. This can be sat in the pocket of a thief, or hidden in the drive and prevents the car from unlocking when the owner uses the key fob. Although there's no evidence that this method is commonly used at the moment however, it may be more prevalent in the future.

Hacking the car's software is yet another more dangerous technique. This is why you must make sure that your car has the most up-to-date software updates. Thieves can then log into the owner's account and start the car from there without needing the key fob in any way. You should consider having your keys reprogrammed when you recently bought an used car.

If you can, you can also discourage thieves by parking in a garage. While this might not hinder them from stealing your vehicle, it will make their job much harder as they'll need to find a way to access the car's computer. Consider etching your VIN's last seven digits onto the headlights, windows, and mirrors. This will make it harder for thieves to change the identity of the vehicle.

Also, you should consider installing a security camera, such as those available from the likes of Ring, Amazon Blink and Google Nest. These can also double up as a smart video doorbell and are a great way to keep an eye on your car while it's sitting outside. If you have a driveway, you might want to think about a security floodlight that integrates with these cameras. This will notify you of any activity in your driveway. This will help stop thieves from trying to take cars off of the street.

The Stolen Key

Many car makers are replacing the physical key with a proximity key that transmits signals that can open and start your car. Criminals have developed technology here that enables them to hack into these systems and steal vehicles without fobs or a button on the keypad.

The latest theft method is using what's known as a CAN bus attack, also known as a controller area network attack. The CAN bus system permits different components of a vehicle to communicate and is the most sophisticated way to attack against vehicles that do not have keys.

To attack a car using an attack on the CAN bus criminals must be able to be able to intercept the signals from the vehicle's onboard diagnostics port (OBD). This port was designed to be used by professional diagnostic tools. However, criminals can access it by putting in an unprotected cable. This permits thieves to gain access to the computer code that is used to unlock and start the car.

It can take anywhere from 20 to 30 seconds to copy a vehicle's signal using a device sold online for less than a hundred dollars, Shlisel says. The crook will simply walk into your vehicle and drive it away.

In the past, criminals have hacked into vehicles through hijacking the radio signal that is used by the key fob in the car to communicate with the onboard system. The crooks make use of devices to intercept the signal then amplify it and transmit it to a second device to copy the key fob's encryption code. This enables the crooks unlock your car and start it up, and after that it's just a matter of leaving with the contents inside the.

As car security experts warn, the threat of theft via keyless locks is growing as manufacturers outfit more models with the technology. Even if your vehicle is not keyless, you must be cautious, especially if you park in a public space. Experts suggest that you park your car overnight in a garage, or at a minimum, somewhere with a good security system such as motion detection lights and CCTV.

Apart from that the most effective option is to keep your vehicle clean of your car - taking away valuable items such as Sat GPS units or mobile phones. In addition, you must make sure to close your car doors and think about etching the last seven numbers of your Vehicle Identification Number on your car's headlights or windows.