What You Should Be Focusing On Enhancing Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry

Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry

A lot of newer cars have keyless entry systems which allow drivers to open and start their vehicle without using traditional keys made of metal. The technology is being abused by thieves.

Thieves are using a simple device accessible online to record the signal that the fob sends to the car. This allows them to leave in a matter of seconds, unlock the car and begin it.

The Relay Attack

A criminal can simply sit by your vehicle and use a device to capture the signal from the key fob. When you pull the door handle, the key fob transmits a challenge that asks "are you the owner of this car?" The criminal's device beams this response back to the key fob, fooling it into thinking that its owner is nearby and unlocking the car. The criminal can then jump into the car, press the starter button and drive away. The entire process could take just minutes and involves no need for force entry.

This technique is known as a relay attack, and it can be used on a variety of different models. The good news is that the technology which makes this type of hack possible is easily purchased online. This means that virtually all cars can be hacked.

The most popular kind of vehicle targeted is a luxury Range Rover, but any keyless entry vehicle is at risk. Be aware that criminals are not concerned with the car itself, but the valuable items inside like electronic gadgets and cash.

The most effective way to avoid this type of theft is to ensure that you don't leave any valuables in your vehicle. If you must leave them in a car, make sure they're stored in a safe box or trunk. You could also consider parking your car between a second less sought-after vehicle and your garage to deter thieves, or use a steering wheel lock to stop the criminal from getting the engine started.

If you're concerned about a high-end vehicle being targeted, it's worth taking a look at the use of a tracker. It won't stop criminals from stealing your car but it increases the likelihood that police can locate and return it.

It's not an original type of theft, but the speed and ease at the way it can be carried out has caused a lot of concern among motorists. It's a game of cat and mouse between security professionals and thieves, and as technology advances, so too will the methods used by criminals. Fortunately you can take easy steps to avoid car theft with keyless entry.

The Transponder Attack

When you use the key fob to open and lock your vehicle, the computer inside the vehicle receives a radio alert that tells it your keys are close by. But criminals have discovered ways to hack into this system, that allows them to start the car without having to hold the key in their hands.

To accomplish this, thieves have been using devices to amplify the normally faint message your fob sends to the vehicle to let it know that you're trying to open the doors or start it. They transmit that message to the key transponder of the car which in turn sends back an encrypted code that instructs it to open the doors or start the engine. This code is identical as the one that's on your key fob, therefore the car thinks it's a valid signal coming from your key fob.

The thief will then take this code, copy the key blank, and drive off with your vehicle. It's also a very cost-effective procedure. These devices are small enough to fit into your pocket and can be bought online for around $3,000 or less. How can you safeguard yourself from these devices? Simple ways to protect yourself include placing your keys in a faraday enclosure or leaving them in the refrigerator when you are at home.

Other options include making a mark of the last seven digits of your VIN on the windows on the rear and front as well as making sure that all electrical devices are covered and keeping valuables away from view when you're not in your car. But perhaps the most important thing to do is make sure you always, ensure that you lock your car, even if it's only for a couple of minutes.

According to research conducted by Thatcham, car thefts that involve keyless entry are increasing. It's not surprising that the number of cars stolen by sophisticated thieves employing advanced technology is at an all-time peak.

The Flat Battery Attack

Car thieves are inventive and have come up with some clever ways to steal vehicles. It's a good thing to know that security experts are working hard to keep pace and make it more secure than ever to defend yourself from theft via keyless keys.

A signal jammer is a more sophisticated device that operates on the same frequency as the key fob. The device can be tucked in the pocket of the burglar or tucked away in the driveway to prevent the car from being locked when the owner uses their key fob. While there's no evidence this method is used widely in the present but it could become more common in the near future.

Hacking the car's software is a more sinister trick. This is why you should make sure that your vehicle has the most here up-to-date software updates. The thieves can connect to the owner's app and start the vehicle from there, without the requirement for the key fob. If you recently purchased a secondhand car, consider getting the keys reprogrammed to make it harder.

If possible, you can also discourage thieves by parking in garages. This might not stop thieves from stealing your vehicle, but it will make their job more difficult since they will need to find ways to gain access to the computer in the vehicle. It's also worth thinking about etching the last seven digits of your VIN onto the mirrors, windows and headlights, as this will make it much more difficult for anyone to alter the identity of the vehicle in the future.

It's also worth installing an alarm system that is secure, such as the ones available from Ring, Amazon Blink, and Google Nest. These cameras can also be utilized as a smart video-doorbell and are a great method of monitoring your vehicle when it is parked outside. You could also think about a security light that works with the cameras when you have driveway. This will notify you of any movements in your driveway. It will help discourage thieves from trying to take cars off the streets.

The Stolen Key

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

The latest theft technique involves using what's known as the CAN bus attack, also known as a controller area network attack. The CAN bus is the system that allows different parts of the vehicle to communicate with each with each other, and is the most sophisticated security threat to keys-less vehicles.

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

Shlisel claims that it can take between 20-30 seconds to duplicate the signal of a vehicle using an online device that costs less than $100. After that, the criminal can simply get into your car and take away.

In the past, criminals have hacked into vehicles by hijacking the radio signal that is used by the key fob in the car to communicate with the onboard system. The criminals employ devices to capture the signal and amplify it, then transmit it to another device to copy the key fob's encryption code. The crook will then be able to unlock your car, start it and leave with the contents.

Experts in car security warn that the threat of theft via keyless locks increases because more cars are equipped with the technology. Even if your vehicle isn't keyless, it is still advisable to be cautious, especially when parking in a public area. Experts suggest that you park your car overnight in a garage or at the very least, in a place with a good security system like motion detection lights and CCTV.

You should also remove valuables from your vehicle, including mobile phones or Sat Navs. In addition, you must make sure that you secure your car's doors and think about etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number onto your windows or headlights.