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Keyless Entry and Car Theft

The number of car thefts is increasing and thieves are finding new ways to gain access to vehicles. Keyless entry is among the most popular methods.

The days of taking cars being stolen with keyless entry away by breaking windows and wiring them long gone. Now they can hack into the computer systems of vehicles in minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction to the Push-to Start technology, millions of people have been able to be capable to start their vehicles without needing to reach for keys to their car. However, this convenience makes vehicles more susceptible to theft. Particularly the past, thieves have been able use a new technique called the relay attack to steal cars in a matter of seconds. This technique makes use of an amplifier to record and amplify the signal sent by the car's keyfob. It allows thieves to unlock your car and drive off.

The relay attack is actually a variation of an older method known as Man-in-the-Middle attacks. This kind of attack could be employed in cybersecurity to intercept communication between two parties and alter it without knowing. In a relay attack the attacker uses an electronic device that can capture and transmit the signal from the key fob in your car to another device located nearby. This second device will unlock the door and start the engine of your vehicle in just a few just a few seconds.

In order to carry out a relay attack, criminals simply need an inexpensive, readily available device that can detect and amplify the signal coming from your key fob. Most often, thieves operate in pairs. One person holds the amplifier for relay while another is outside, near the victim’s house. The thief simply wave the device in front of the home of the victim and tricks the car into thinking that the key is within range and allows it to open and start.

Some experts suggest storing your key fob in a metallic container, signal-blocking pouch, or Faraday bag whenever not in use to avoid this kind of theft. But this is a basic solution that has been shown to not work against modern relay devices. The best option is to purchase an ignition lock for the steering wheel, that physically blocks the thief's ability to steer the vehicle after it's stolen.

Many car got stolen with keys in it makers have attempted to resolve this issue by introducing features such as secure keyless entry systems which employ cryptographic techniques with time-sensitive codes to guard against relay attacks. However, criminals have been able to create devices that defy these measures. This is why the race is on to discover a way to stop relay crime without comprising the convenient nature of keyless technology.

Hacking

A lot of new cars come with keyless entry systems, which allow drivers to open and start their vehicle without needing the use of a physical key or button. But these systems can also be vulnerable to a new type of theft. Thieves may employ electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and send it to a transmitter held by a accomplice who is standing close to the car. The thief is then able to unlock the vehicle and drive off. This is referred to as relay attack. It can be accomplished in between 20 and 30 seconds, according to AAA.

Most often, thieves will employ inexpensive devices that imitate wireless key fob signals to capture the signal and transmit it to a accomplice. The thief can then pretend to be the owner of the car when the victim presses the key fob to start or close the vehicle. They do this by sending a message that appears to the car's computer as an authentic signal.

The more sophisticated thieves have developed 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 information from the car's computer and create a blank key fob that meets the car's specifications. Nearly all cars are vulnerable to this type of hacking.

Some thieves have even made use of TikTok challenges to instruct people on how to build inexpensive amplifiers that enhance the signal from a key fob and allow an accomplice to unlock the car from a distance, even though it's parked in the driveway. This method has led to manufacturers like Kia and Toyota to update their software which block this vulnerability.

Experts recommend keeping your my car key was stolen keys in a trunk, or a place further away from home to ensure that thieves isn't able to easily access them. You can also purchase RFID pouches to protect the signal from unauthorized use. These pouches can be bought for less than $10. Some come with metal mesh linings. It is also essential to keep your car's software current and up to the latest version, just as you would with your computer and phone.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards

The latest car key fobs utilize radio signals to communicate with the vehicle which allows owners to unlock their vehicles and start them without having to touch a key. These new technologies increase the risk of theft. The signal from a keyfob can be recorded if the fob is left on a desk near the front door or in a wallet. They can then clone it using simple devices, called emulators, that are the size of handheld consoles. From there, they are able to open the car and drive it away in minutes.

The crooks typically operate in pairs. One of them will be outside your home, holding a relay amplifier while the other holds the device that records the signal from the key fob. The criminals will then amplify the signal until it is strong enough to bypass the security systems in your car.

Another method of securing key fobs is by jamming the communication between the keyfob and the vehicle. The thieves employ signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as a keyfob. This muddles the signal, which prevents it from being received by the car, thereby preventing the lock button from functioning.

As thieves become more sophisticated in their methods, auto dealers need to be alert in securing their inventory. Dealerships must install high-security perimeter fencing that includes cameras and a secure entrance to prevent thieves from driving in flatbeds with vehicles after hours. They should also train employees on the proper handling of keys and lock vehicles securely and storing them in a safe place when they are not in use.

Fortunately, technology is helping to stop car thefts and tackling the new thieves. Certain car makers are creating key fobs that have active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology, which makes it more difficult for thieves to amplify the signal of the keys. Faraday cages are another way to prevent signals from a keyfob to the vehicle. Other defences include etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the headlights, windows and mirrors to prevent sale or reuse of your vehicle.

Theft of VIN

Keyless entry is useful, but it also provides new opportunities for thieves to take vehicles. Your car will unlock doors and start the engine when it recognizes the signal sent by your wireless remote or key fob. If the signal isn't acknowledged, the vehicle will be locked, but it will not start. This is because you have to hold the key in your hand to press an appropriate button on the fob to activate the starter.

Even when your car is parked, it is important to keep the remote and key fob in a safe place. A criminal can use a small transmitter device to detect your signal and steal it. Then, he is able to open your door and leave without ever touching the actual key or ignition.

Criminals are even able to swap out the VIN and the title of a stolen vehicle to conceal their involvement. This practice, also known as VIN-switching, is on increasing. Typically, crooks will buy a damaged vehicle at auction or from police departments, and then modify the VIN. They then make use of a legitimate VIN from another model and to obtain a brand new title and registration, and then sell the car to unsuspecting buyers.

The VIN is a very popular method to stop theft. Numerous companies offer kits for this, and in a few areas, the police department or AAA offers this service free of charge. It may seem counterintuitive to think that etching will deter thieves. In the end it makes it difficult for dealers to purchase your car. Professional thieves will stay away from your car because they are aware that etching is a major stumbling-block.

The NICB also provides a free online VINCheck service to check whether your vehicle is reported as salvaged or stolen car key vehicle, but not yet recovered. The service is available only on their website and requires a valid VIN. Additionally, a vast range of products to deter crime are available for your vehicle as well as visible and audible devices that act as a deterrent for criminals. These include steering wheel locks and alarms and window engraving.