5 Reasons Car Stolen Keyless Entry Can Be A Beneficial Thing
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Keyless Entry and Car Theft
Car theft is increasing, and thieves have found new ways to enter vehicles. One of the most popular methods is keyless entry.
There is no longer a time when thieves broke windows and hotwired cars to steal. They can now hack into the computer systems of vehicles in minutes.
Relay Attack
Since the introduction to the Push-to Start technology, millions have been able to be capable to start their vehicles without having to look for the car keys. Unfortunately, this same convenience makes cars more vulnerable to theft. The relay attack is a brand new technique that thieves use to steal cars in a matter of seconds. This method makes use of devices that capture and amplify the signal from your car's key fob allowing thieves to unlock and drive away.
Relay attacks are a variation of an older technique known as Man-in-the-Middle attacks. This kind of attack is utilized in cybersecurity to intercept and alter the communications between two entities without either party realizing it. In a relay attack, the attacker uses an electronic device to capture and transmit the signal from the fob of the key in your car to a second device located nearby. This second device can open the door and start the engine of your vehicle in just a few minutes.
Criminals can perform a relay attack using a cheap and readily accessible device to detect the signal from a key fob. Usually, thieves work in pairs, with one holding the relay amplifier, and the other standing close to the house of the victim. The thief then simply waves the device in the front of the house of the victim and tricks the car into thinking the key is within reach and allows it to open and start.
Some experts suggest storing your key fob in a steel container, signal-blocking pouch or Faraday bag when it is not in use to avoid this type of theft. But, this is a simple solution that has been proven to not work against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a superior option, since it physically stops the thief from driving the vehicle after it's been taken.
Many vehicle manufacturers have attempted to tackle this problem by introducing features such as secure keyless entry systems, which use cryptographic methods and time-sensitive codes to protect against relay attacks. Criminals have created devices that can thwart these measures. The race is now on to find a solution for the problem of relay crime that does not compromise the convenience of technology that does not require keys.
Hacking
Many new cars are equipped with keyless entry systems which let drivers start and open their vehicle without the need for a physical button or key. But these systems can also be susceptible to a different type of theft. Thieves can employ electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and send it to a transmitter held by a accomplice who is standing near to the car. The thief can then unlock the vehicle and then drive away. According to AAA, this method is referred to as a relay attack. It can be accomplished in between 20 and 30 seconds.
Thieves typically use cheap devices that mimic the wireless signal from the key fob to capture it and transmit it to a partner. The thief can then pretend to be the owner of the vehicle when the victim presses the key fob button to start or close the vehicle. They accomplish this by sending a message that appears to the car's computer as an authentic signal.
The more sophisticated thieves have developed devices that plug into the On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD), which is located usually under the steering wheel. This port permits mechanics to connect diagnostic tools. The thief downloads the data from the computer in the car and creates an empty key fob that is compatible with the car's specifications. This type of hacking can be done on nearly all vehicles.
Some thieves have utilized TikTok challenges as a way to teach people to make cheap amplifiers which boost the signal of a key fob, allowing an accomplice unlock the car even when it is in the driveway. This has prompted companies such as Kia and Toyota to release software updates which prevent this vulnerability.
Experts suggest read more keeping your car keys away from your home, and even in the trunk, so thieves have a difficult to gain access to them. You can also buy RFID pouches to protect the signal from unauthorized use. Some of these pouches have metal mesh linings, and are available on the low end for around $10. It's also important to keep your car's software up to current, just like you do with your computer and phone.
Radio Frequency Identification Cards
The latest car key fobs connect to vehicles using radio signals, allowing the owners of cars to unlock and start their cars without touching keys. These new technologies increase the likelihood of theft. Thieves can capture the signal from a key fob, if it is left on a table near the front door of the house or in a pocket and they can clone the signal with simple devices that are the size of handheld gaming consoles, also known as emulators. From there, they are able to open the car and take it away in a matter of minutes.
The crooks usually work in pairs. One of them will be outside your house holding a relay amplifier while the other holds the device that collects the signal from a key fob. The criminals will then amplify the signal so that it is strong enough to bypass the security systems in your car.
Another method is to block the communication between the key fob and the car. The thieves use signal jammers which emit the same radio frequency as a key fob. This jams the signal and stops it from being detected by the vehicle. The lock button won't work.
As thieves become more sophisticated in their methods, auto dealers need to be alert in securing their inventory. Dealerships should install high-security perimeter fencing that includes cameras and a secure entrance to prevent thieves from driving in flatbeds and vehicles after hours. They should also educate their employees on proper handling of keys, such as locking vehicles securely and storing keys in a safe place when not being used.
Fortunately technology is working to stop these new thieves and stop car thefts. For instance, certain car makers are developing key fobs that incorporate active RFID chips that incorporate frequency-hopping technology to make it more difficult for thieves to amplify the signal emanating from the key. Faraday cages are a different way to prevent signals from a keyfob's signal to the car. Other options include etching the last seven numbers of your vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the windows, headlights and mirrors to prevent the sale or reuse of your vehicle.
VIN Theft
While keyless entry is convenient but it also opens up new opportunities for thieves to steal vehicles. If your car detects a signal sent from your wireless key or remote fob, it will open the door and begin the engine. If the signal is not recognised, your vehicle will lock, but it will not start. This is because you have to have the key in your palm to press a button on the fob in order to activate the starter.
Even if your car is parked, it is important to keep the remote and key fob in a safe place. A criminal could use a tiny transmitter to intercept your signal and hijack it. Then, he can unlock your door without touching the ignition or the key.
In certain instances criminals may be capable of swapping out the vehicle's VIN and title to hide their involvement in the theft of the car. This practice is known as VIN switching and is on increasing. Typically, crooks buy damaged vehicles through auctions or police departments, and then modify the VIN. They then make use of a legitimate VIN from an alternative model and make an attempt to get a new title and registration, and then sell the vehicle to unwitting buyers.
A popular theft deterrent is to have your VIN inscribed into the glass of your car. Many companies offer kits for this, and in a few areas, the police department or AAA provides this service at no cost. It seems counterintuitive that etching can deter thieves since it makes your car more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. Professional thieves will stay away from your car because they are aware that etching is a major obstacle to their pursuit.
The NICB offers a free VINCheck online tool to determine if your vehicle has been reported stolen or salvaged, but was not yet recovered. The service is available only on their website and requires an authentic VIN. There are also a range of crime-deterring devices for your vehicle. These include audible as well as visual devices that discourage criminals. These include steering wheel locks and alarms as well as window engraving.