Can Keyless Cars Being Stolen One Day Rule The World?
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Keyless Cars Being Stolen in Minutes
Criminals target vehicles with keys which can be taken away in minutes with the help of equipment that is sold online. Find out how thieves are able to bypass security features and what you can do to protect your vehicle.
Keep your key fob in an aluminium tin to block its signal. Also, think about installing an ignition lock on your steering wheel to stop your car from being driven away.
Relay Theft
The convenience of keyless cars can make it easy to forget that they can also make your vehicle vulnerable to cybercriminals with high-tech gadgets. One of the latest methods of hacking used by thieves is known as "relay theft."
With this method, two criminals work together to steal your vehicle. One thief stands by your home with equipment that can boost the signal for an electronic key fob, and transmit that amplified signal across a distance to the second thief positioned near your vehicle. The second thief then uses their device to imitate your fob signal to unlock the car or to start the engine. This allows them to drive off with the vehicle.
On the internet they are available at a relatively low price. They can be installed on any vehicle, regardless of regardless of whether it's the most recent SUV or the old Honda Civic. Certain vehicles are at greater risk than others. Cars that are in high demand from thieves, whether because of their resale value or the ease of dismantling components typically are targeted by criminals. This is why it is important to park in a well-lit area and make sure you don't store anything valuable in the vehicle (including the owner's manual that may include the valet key).
In the UK the United Kingdom, thefts involving this method are at an all-time high according to tracking company Tracker UK. In July 2023, they made up for 98% of the stolen vehicles that the company helped recover.
To minimize the risk of being a victim experts suggest installing car security systems that are available from the aftermarket such as alarms and GPS trackers. They also recommend storing keys in a metal container, signal-blocking pouch or Faraday box, which can protect against relay attacks.
Dealerships can also safeguard their inventory by implementing physical security measures like perimeter fencing, surveillance cameras, and well-lit areas. They should also instruct their staff on how to manage keys and lockdown procedures to avoid theft. If they decide to sell older vehicles, they should consider a dealer-installed ignition immobilizer. This will stop thieves from driving off with the car, after fooling the system into thinking it is still on the dealership lot.
Transponder Theft
As car makers upgrade their keyless technology to make vehicles more secure, thieves are upgrading their own equipment to keep up. Criminals employ a relay attack to steal cars with keyless locks. Two people work together. The thief is waiting in the vicinity of the victim's house using a device that detects a signal coming from the key fob. This is then relayed by a partner waiting near the vehicle. If the copied signal is detected the door is opened and the car starts with no requirement for the actual key to be present. Security cameras in homes has documented this happening, with stolen cars being towed away in a matter of seconds.
Even luxury cars that are older are at risk. Tracker UK, a tracking company based in the UK, reported that 98% of the high-tech vehicles it recovered last year were stolen using keyless systems. Older luxury vehicles with lower-end keyless systems are the most at risk, including Mercedes C- and E-Class, BMW 3 Series, Land Rover Discovery and Jaguar XF models.
Another method of theft via keyless is code theft, which can happen when you're not paying attention to where you place your key fob. You might forget to take it out of your pocket after leaving the house. If your fob is within range of an in-home smart security or hub that can be hacked, it is possible to gain access to the vehicle's control systems. A hacker with a solid understanding of electronics can modify the vehicle to perform whatever they want, for instance, the ignition off and drive away.
It is crucial to safeguard your vehicle and be aware of attacks. You can lower the risk of theft by storing your vehicle in a gated or locked garage. If that's not an option you could consider installing a motion-sensored camera with a view of your driveway. You can also buy signal-blocking items such as bags or boxes that are designed to stop thieves from stealing the signals of your key fob in the event that they are located close to the jammer.
Theft of Programming
The technology of keyless cars is useful for us but makes them more easy to steal for thieves. A typical method of stealing a vehicle using keyless entry systems is known as a "relay attack". The thieves operate in pairs, using devices to intercept your fob's signals when it is near the ignition or door to open your vehicle.
The keyless system relies on low-power radio signals that only operate when the fob is in close proximity to the doors or ignition. A skilled hacker, however can make use of specially-designed devices to boost the communication between the fob and the vehicle, extending the capabilities of the system. This enables a criminal to trick the vehicle to believe that the fob is in close proximity to begin or unlock it, but it is just within a few meters of the victim's house or pocket.
Certain cars come with an additional security feature that disables the ignition when the fob is too far away. However, this only is effective if the vehicle has been programmed to recognise the fob's signal at a certain frequency. Hackers who have the code for the car system could alter the code of the key fob to ensure that it operates at the frequency that the car has been programmed to recognize. This can bypass the security feature.
The On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD) typically located beneath the steering wheel, could be used by car thieves to obtain the coding of your keyless transmission. This device, known as a 'key programmer' can be purchased online for less that $1,000. This tool can download the specific data of your car to a blank keyfob, permitting the fob to unlock and start the car as if it were the real thing.
These tools are readily accessible online and allow criminals to target a diverse range of brands and models. The most sought-after keyless entry cars are those manufactured by luxury brands such as BMW Audi Mercedes and Jaguar. These are the cars that are targeted the most. In fact, the insurance company Tracker has discovered that the luxury models account for more than 50% of the high-tech theft claims it helps to recover.
Lockout Theft
Criminals can easily take advantage of the weaknesses of keyless entry systems. While the traditional method of smashing the windows of cars and hotwiring vehicles remains popular, more criminals are using high-tech techniques that allow them to rob cars without taking homes. According to data from the tracking company Tracker, car thefts have increased to an all-time get more info record in the U.K., with keyless car thefts making up an important portion of the total.
A lot of these new methods are not only less expensive than traditional car theft but they can be done in a matter of minutes. A group of two thieves, for example could employ an instrument that detects the signal from the keyfob and sends it directly to a transmitter that is in the hands of the other person who is stealing. This allows the other thief to unlock the car and drive it away. These devices can be purchased at a cost of just $100 and are compatible with many different car models.
In addition to these high-tech methods, thieves are now capable of capturing the information sent by a key fob and then duplicate and upload to an empty key fob. These keys that have been cloned will be able to unlock and start the vehicle, even when the original key is not present.
ADAC's research revealed that hundreds of popular car models, including the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Golf are vulnerable to this type of theft. A single key can be used to unlock a variety of cars using this method. This means it is not necessary to target specific vehicle models or manufacturers.
To protect cars from these new threats, car makers are now offering preventative measures. For instance, Kia has created a faraday bag that can be put in the pocket of a driver's key fob to block signals and safeguard it from theft. Other options include making spare keys and keeping them in secure and accessible locations and installing surveillance cameras around the home and driveway and using apps to ensure you do not leave your car unattended. It's also an excellent idea to check regularly the battery status of your key fob in order to avoid it becoming depleted.