Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry

If car owners leave their keys on the table or next to their doors, they may unknowingly allow thieves to hijack their signal. This relay attack is one of the latest techniques criminals are employing to steal new keys from cars.

All keyless ignition vehicles emit a low power radio signal that is used to locate the fob that matches. If the signal is recorded and recreated, it could be used to unlock the car and start it.

Relay Attack

Picture your car parked securely in the driveway, with the key fob tucked away inside your home. You may think your car is safe however, sophisticated thieves are planning to steal your car without you being aware. These thieves use technology to snoop on vehicles through digital chinks. This method of stealing cars that have keys is known as relay theft.

The keyless entry system that is found in cars is controlled by a signal sent by the car's radio transmitter to the key fob. To ensure that keyless entry is not unauthorized the RF transmitters inside the key fob and in the car are programmed to only activate when they're within a specific distance from each other. The thief can bypass this restriction by employing a technique called the relay-attack.

To accomplish this, two people work together One stands near the car and uses the device that captures digitally the key fob's signal. The other who is at the home of the owner is using a second device to transmit the signal from the key fob back to the car. This trick tricked the car into thinking that the key fob is near enough to unlock and start the engine.

This type of heist was once a costly process that required expensive equipment. But now, you can buy a relay transmitter on the inexpensive online market and carry out the heist in just a few minutes. This is why it's popular among car thieves.

While certain vehicles are less prone to this type of theft than others, all modern cars with keyless entry are at risk. In fact researchers have tested 237 popular cars and found that they can all be stolen using this method.

Tesla vehicles are said to be less susceptible to this kind of theft. However Tesla hasn't yet implemented UWB technologies that would enable it to perform distance checks and stop attacks via relay. The company has said it will make this happen in the near future, but until then they are still vulnerable. That's why it's essential to be proactive about your vehicle security and install an anti-theft tool that safeguards your keys and car from these types of attacks.

CAN Injection Attack

Modern cars can protect themselves against thieves by exchanging encrypted messages with the key to verify its authenticity. This method is generally thought to be secure, but thieves have found a way around it. They can impersonate the smart key and send messages to the vehicle letting it unlock the doors, turn off its engine immobilizer, and let them go on their way. To do this, they get access to the smart key's internal communications network.

The majority of cars today are fitted with between 20 and 200 electronic control units, also known as ECUs, that control different aspects of the vehicle's operation. They communicate with each other using a network known as CAN bus. These ECUs are put into a low power sleep mode to lower their power consumption. This mode is activated when ECUs receive a "wake up" frame. These frames typically come via the door or smart key receiver ECU. These messages are not always authenticated or encrypted. This means that criminals are able to intercept them with an inexpensive and simple device.

To do this, they look for a place that allows them to connect directly to the CAN bus connector wires. They are usually hidden within the headlights or in front of the car, and are accessible by pulling the bumper off and cutting holes in the headlamp assembly to expose them. The thieves then use a device called an CAN injection attacker to send out fake messages that can trick the car's security systems into unlocking it and disengaging the engine immobilizer.

These devices can be bought through the Dark Web and work with most major car manufacturers, including BMW and Cadillac, Chrysler, Fiat and Ford, Honda, Hyundai and Jeep, Lexus and Nissan, Renault and Toyota, Volkswagen and Maserati. Researchers who discovered the CAN Injection attack recommend that all car makers fix this issue in their existing models. However, the thieves will continue to steal whatever they can. We can stop this from happening by implementing mechanical safety measures, such as Discloks inside every car we own and parking them in well-lit, well-lit areas.

Jamming the Signal

In a different variant of the relay attack, thieves may use a gadget to jam the signal that is sent by a key fob when the car is locked. The device may be inside the pocket of a burglar in a parking space or in a hiding spot close to the driveway that is being targeted. Once the owners press the lock button on their fobs and leave and leave, they don't have to think about whether or not the car is really is locked. Instead, thieves are able to take off with the car since the signal that normally locks the car has been blocked by the device of the criminal.

They also make use of devices that amplify signals from the key fob to unlock vehicles. The crooks can do this even if the key is in the pocket of a driver, or hanging from an outside hook in the home. After the car is locked, hackers can use the standard diagnostic port to program an unlocked fob.

To guard against this kind of attack, car makers have developed a variety of anti-theft devices. However, thieves will always come up with new ways to beat these measures.

They've begun using devices that transmit at the same frequency as remote keyfobs in order to intercept signals. The crooks then copy the key fob's unlock code and start the car with this fake signal.

This method is especially popular in the US in which many vehicles are equipped with wireless technology. Owners can start and unlock their car by using a mobile app on their phone. This technology is expected to gain popularity as more and more companies attempt to connect their vehicles to owners' smartphones.

It is crucial that drivers follow the best practices to park their vehicles. It is not advisable to leave the key fobs in ignition and always secure the car when not in it. If they can it is also recommended to use a gearstick lock or steering device. They should also think about installing a tracking device to their car in the event it gets stolen.

Flat Battery

This kind of attack happens more often than most people realize. The thieves use cheap devices that extend the signal from your key fob to enable it to unlock and start your car even if it is off. They then simply drive the car around a corner or even to a trailer and then drive off with it. It is possible to protect your car from this by installing a starter circuit interrupt switch. The most basic ones have an ON/OFF switch that shuts off the starter circuit. It's about $15 and is simple to install.

Car thieves are always searching for new ways to steal vehicles. The police, car makers and insurance companies are always trying to keep up to their tactics and offer better anti-theft solutions for the latest cars. But this isn't stopping thieves who adapt quickly and find ways to bypass the latest anti-theft technology.

For instance, many criminals employ a device that works on the same frequency as the fob to jam the signal. They put the device in their pockets or somewhere close to their vehicle, and it blocks the fob's lock signal from reaching the vehicle, leaving the vehicle unlocked. This can be done within just a few seconds. The device is cheap and can be purchased on the internet.

Hacking the computer system of the car is an alternative option. This is more difficult, but nevertheless feasible. All cars have a diagnostic port, and hackers have developed devices that plug into them and allow them access the software of the car. They can then program a blank fob to work. It is possible to do this with older cars too, but it's keyless cars being stolen more difficult without taking out the ignition.

This method is likely to become more popular if more vehicles are connected to drivers' mobile phones. Once a criminal has the username and password for the vehicle app, they can then unlock the car or start it using the app on their phone. You can help be safe from these kinds of attacks by not leaving valuables in your car and putting it in a garage or secured parking lot.