5 Car Stolen Keyless Entry-Related Lessons From The Professionals

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Keyless Entry and Car Theft

The number of vehicle thefts is increasing and thieves are finding new ways to get into vehicles. One of the most common methods is keyless entry.

There is no longer a time when thieves smashed windows and hotwired vehicles to steal. They can now hack into a vehicle's computer systems within minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction of Push-to-Start technology millions of motorists have enjoyed the convenience of having the ability to start their car without needing a key. Unfortunately, the same convenience also makes vehicles more susceptible to theft. Particularly the past, thieves have been able to utilize a technique that is called the relay attack to steal cars in seconds. This method makes use of an amplifier to amplify and capture the signal transmitted by the car's keyfob. It allows thieves to unlock the vehicle and then drive away.

Relay attacks are a variant of an older technique known as Man-in the-Middle Attacks. This kind of attack can be employed in cybersecurity to snoop on communications between two entities and alter it without knowing. In the case of a relay attack the attacker employs a device to intercept the signal from the key fob in your car and then transmits the signal to a second device located close to. This second device will open the door and start your car's engine in just a few seconds.

Criminals can carry out a relay attack by making use of a low-cost and readily accessible device to detect the signal from the key fob. Typically, thieves work in pairs. One person will hold the relay amplifier while another is outside, near the victim’s house. The thief waves the device towards the home of the victim, luring the car into believing that the key is close by.

To stop this type of theft, experts suggest that you store your key fob whenever not in use in a metal container or pouch. This is a basic but ineffective method against modern relay devices. The best option is to purchase the use of a steering wheel lock which physically blocks the criminal's ability to steer the vehicle once it is stolen.

Many car manufacturers have tried to address this issue by introducing features such as secure keyless entry systems, which employ cryptographic techniques with time-sensitive codes to guard against relay attacks. Criminals have developed devices that are able to defeat these measures. This is why the race is on to discover a way to stop criminals who use relays without compromising the convenience of technology that is keyless.

Hacking

Many new cars are equipped with keyless entry systems which allow drivers to open and start their vehicle without the need of a physical button or key. These systems are vulnerable to a new type of theft. The thieves may employ electronic devices that copy the signal of the key fob, and transmit it to an accomplice who holds an electronic transmitter near the vehicle. The thief then has the ability to unlock the vehicle and drive away. This is known as a relay attack and can be done in between 20 and 30 seconds according to AAA.

Thieves typically use cheap devices to imitate the wireless key fob signal to capture it and send it to a partner. The thief then appears to be the owner of the vehicle when the victim presses the key fob to begin or lock the vehicle. They accomplish this by sending a signal that appears to the car's system as a genuine signal.

The more sophisticated thieves have created devices that can plug into the On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD), which is typically located under the steering wheel. This port allows mechanics to connect diagnostic tools. The criminal can download data from the car's computers and create an unlocked key fob that meets the car's specifications. Almost all vehicles are vulnerable to this type of hacking.

Some thieves have employed TikTok challenges as a way to instruct people on how to build cheap amplifiers which boost the signal from the key fob, making it possible for an accomplice to open the door while it is parked in the driveway. This technique has prompted manufacturers such as Kia and Toyota to perform software updates that prevent this vulnerability.

Experts recommend keeping your car keys away from your home, and even in the trunk, so that thieves have a difficult to gain access to them. You can also purchase RFID pouches to protect the signal and discourage unauthorised use. They can be purchased for less than $10. Some come with metal mesh linings. Just like your phone or computer it's essential to keep the software on your car up-to-date.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards

The most recent car key fobs communicate with vehicles via radio signals, which allows owners of automobiles to unlock and start their vehicles without touching 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 left on a table near the front door of the home or in a pocket, and they are able to duplicate the signal with simple devices that are the size of handheld gaming consoles called emulators. They can then open the car in a matter of minutes and drive off.

The crooks typically operate in pairs. The crooks typically operate in pairs. One of them will be outside of your house with a relay amplifier and the other will be equipped with a device that receives a signal from the keyfob. The crooks can then amplify the signal to ensure it is strong enough to disable your car's security systems.

Another strategy is to simply jam the communication between the key fob and the car. The thieves employ signal jammers which emit the same radio frequency as a key fob. This blocks the signal and prevents it from being picked up by the car. The lock button is not working.

Dealers of automobiles must be vigilant to guard their inventory from theft as thieves become more sophisticated. Dealerships need to install high-security perimeter fences that include cameras and secure entrances, so that thieves cannot drive flatbeds on cars after hours. They should also educate their employees on proper handling of keys, such as locking cars securely and keeping keys in a safe place when not in use.

Technology is helping to stop car thefts and fight the new thieves. For instance, certain automobile manufacturers are creating key fobs that use active RFID chips with frequency-hopping technology to make it more difficult for thieves to amplify the signal from the key. Additionally, Faraday cages can be used to block the transmission of signals from a key fob to a car. Other defenses include engraving the last seven more info digits from your vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the headlights, windows and mirrors to prevent the resale and reuse of your vehicle.

VIN Theft

While keyless access is great for convenience however, it also creates new opportunities for criminals to steal cars. If your car detects the signal that is sent by your wireless remote or key fob, it will open the door and start the engine. However, if the signal isn't detected the car will lock, but it will not start. You need to hold the key to turn on the starter.

This is why it's important to keep your remote and key fob out of sight even when your car is stationed. A criminal can use a small transmitter device to pick up your signal and then steal it. Then, he's able to open your door and drive away without ever having to touch the key or ignition.

In certain instances criminals may be capable of swapping a vehicle's VIN and title to conceal their involvement in the stolen vehicle. This is known as VIN switching and is currently on increasing. The thieves typically purchase damaged vehicles at auction or from the police department and then alter the VIN. They then use the genuine VIN of a different brand and model to obtain the new registration and title, and then sell it to uninitiated buyers.

A popular deterrent to theft is to have your VIN etched into your vehicle's glass. Many companies offer kits for this, and in certain areas, the police department or AAA offers this service at no cost. It seems counterintuitive that etching could deter thieves, as it makes your vehicle more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. A professional thief will avoid your car due to the fact that they know that etching is a major stumbling-block.

The NICB also offers a free VINCheck service online to determine whether your vehicle has been reported as a salvaged or stolen vehicle but has not yet been recovered. The service is only available on their website and requires a valid VIN. There are also a range of crime-deterring devices for your vehicle. These include audible and visual devices that deter criminals. These include alarms and locks for the steering wheel, as well as window scratching.