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Keyless Entry and car stolen Keyless entry Theft

The number of car burglaries is growing, and thieves are finding new ways to break into vehicles. Keyless entry is among the most common methods.

Gone are the days when thieves smashed windows and hotwired cars to steal them. Now they can hack into the computer systems of a vehicle in minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction of technology called Push-to-Start millions of motorists have enjoyed the convenience of being able to start their car without needing a key. However, this convenience can make vehicles vulnerable to theft. In particular thieves have been able to use a new technique called the relay attack to steal cars in seconds. This technique uses devices that record and amplify the signal that is sent from your car's key fob which allows thieves to unlock your car and then drive away.

The relay attack is actually an alteration of an older method known as Man-in the-Middle attacks. This kind of attack can be used in cybersecurity to intercept communications between two parties and alter it without not knowing. In a relay attack the attacker uses an electronic device to record and transmit the signal from the fob of the key in your car to another device in the vicinity. This second device can open the door and begin the engine of your vehicle in just a few just a few seconds.

Criminals can conduct a relay attack by using a cheap and readily accessible device to detect the signal from a key fob. Usually, thieves work in pairs, with one person holding the relay amplifier, and the other standing near the home of the victim. The thief will then wave the device in front of the victim's house, which tricks the car into thinking the key is within reach and allows it to be opened and started.

Some experts suggest keeping your key fob in a metal container, signal-blocking pouch or Faraday bag whenever not in use to prevent this type of theft. This is a straightforward but ineffective solution against modern relay devices. The best option is to invest in an ignition lock for the steering wheel, which physically blocks the criminal's ability to steer the vehicle once it's taken.

Many vehicle manufacturers have tried to address this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems that rely on cryptographic methods and time-sensitive codes to guard against relay attacks. However criminals have managed to develop devices that defeat these measures. The race is now on to find a solution for relay crime that does not hinder the ease of technology that is keyless.

Hacking

Many new cars are fitted with keyless entry systems which let drivers open and start their car without needing the use of a physical key or button. However, these systems can be susceptible to a new kind of theft. Thieves could use electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and transmit it to a transmitter held by an accomplice who is near to the car. The thief is then able to unlock the vehicle and drive away. This is referred to as a relay attack and can be completed in 20 to 30 seconds according to AAA.

Thieves typically use cheap devices to mimic the wireless signal from the key fob to capture it and send it to an accomplice. The thief will then appear to be the owner of the car when the victim presses the key fob to start or close 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 designed devices that connect to the On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD), which is typically located beneath the steering wheel. This port permits mechanics to connect diagnostic tools. The criminal can download data from the car's computer and create an empty key fob that is compatible with the specifications of the car. This kind of hacking is possible with virtually all cars.

Some criminals have even used TikTok challenges to teach people how to replace stolen car keys to create inexpensive amplifiers that enhance the signal from an electronic key fob. They also allow an accomplice to unlock the vehicle from a distance, while it's parked on the driveway. This technique has led manufacturers like Kia to release software updates that block the vulnerability.

Experts suggest that you store your car keys in a trunk or a place further away from home, so that a burglar isn't able to easily access them. You can also consider investing in RFID pouches to shield the signal and deter unauthorised use. Some of these pouches come with mesh linings made of metal, and can be purchased at a price that is around $10. Just like your computer and phone, it's important to keep the software in your car up-to-date.

Radio Frequency Identification Cards

The latest car key fobs use radio signals to communicate with the vehicle, allowing owners to unlock their cars and start them without having to touch a key. However, these new technologies are also increasing the chance of theft. Thieves can steal the signal from a key fob, if it is left on a table near the front door of the home or in a pocket and they can clone the signal with simple devices that are the size of handheld gaming consoles called emulators. They can then unlock the car in just a few minutes and drive off.

The crooks usually work in pairs. One will be outside your house holding a relay amplifier, and the other one will hold the device that records the signal from the key fob. The crooks can then amplify the signal so that it is strong enough to disable your car's security systems.

Another popular tactic is to simply jam the communication between the key fob and the car. Thieves use signal jammers that emit the same radio frequencies as the key fob. This confuses the signal, which prevents it from being received by the car, which stops the lock button from functioning.

Dealers in the auto industry must be on guard to protect their inventory from theft as thieves become more sophisticated. Dealerships should put up high-security perimeter fences with cameras and secure entrances so that thieves cannot drive flatbeds with cars after hours. They should also instruct employees on the proper handling of keys that include locking vehicles securely and storing them in a safe location when they are not being used.

Fortunately, technology is helping to stop car thefts and tackling these new thieves. Certain car makers are creating key fobs that have active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology, which makes it harder for thieves to amplify the signal of the keys. Faraday cages are another way to block signals from a keyfob's to the car key stolen but not car. Other defences include engraving the last seven digits of your vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the windows, headlights and mirrors to prevent the resale and reuse of your vehicle.

VIN Theft

While keyless access is great for convenience, it also creates new opportunities for thieves to steal cars. When your car recognises the signal that is sent by your remote or wireless key fob, it will open the door and begin the engine. If the signal is not recognized, your car stolen with keys will still be locked, but it will not start. This is due to the fact that you have to hold the key in your hand to press an appropriate button on the fob to start the starter.

This is why it's important to keep your remote and key fob out of view, even when your car is parked. A criminal could use a tiny transmitter device to detect your signal and steal it. Then, he's able to unlock your door and leave without ever having to touch the actual key or ignition.

Criminals may even change the VIN and the title of a stolen vehicle to hide their involvement. This practice, known as VIN-switching is on the increase. The thieves will usually buy damaged vehicles through auctions or the police department and then change the VIN. They then make use of a legitimate VIN from another model and an attempt to get a new registration and title, and then sell the car to unwitting buyers.

A popular method of deterring theft is to have your VIN inscribed into the windshield of your car. There are several firms that offer kits to do this, and in certain areas, the police department or AAA provides this service for free. It might seem odd to believe that etching can deter thieves. After all it makes it difficult for dealers to buy your vehicle. But, a professional thief is aware that etching is an important stumbling block and will likely avoid the theft of your vehicle.

The NICB also offers a no-cost VINCheck service online to determine whether your vehicle has been reported as a stolen or salvaged but has not yet been recovered. The service is only available on their website and requires a valid VIN. In addition, a large variety of crime-deterring products are available for your vehicle as well as visible and audible devices that act as a deterrent for criminals. Some of these include the locking of your steering wheel, alarms and window etching.