Keyless Entry and Car Theft

The number of car thefts is growing, and thieves are finding new ways to gain access to vehicles. One of the most popular methods is keyless entry.

The days of stealing cars through breaking windows and wiring them long gone. They can now hack the computers of a vehicle within a matter of minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction of Push-to-Start technology millions of drivers have enjoyed the convenience of having the ability to start their vehicle without having to reach for a key. Unfortunately, this same convenience makes vehicles more vulnerable to theft. In particular the past, thieves have been able use a new technique called the relay attack to steal cars within seconds. This method makes use of devices that amplify and capture the signal sent through the key fob of your car, allowing thieves to unlock and then drive away.

The relay attack is actually a variation of an older technique known as Man-in the-Middle attacks. This type of attack is employed in cybersecurity to alter and intercept the communication between two entities without either party being aware of it. In the scenario of a relay attack, the attacker uses a device to capture the signal from the key fob in your car and then transmits that signal to a different device located close to. The second device is able to open the door and start the engine, effectively stealing your vehicle in seconds.

To carry out an attack via relay, criminals simply need a cheap, readily available device that can pick up and amplify the signal coming from your key fob. Typically, thieves work 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 victim's house, which tricks the car into thinking the key is in range and allows it to be opened and started.

To stop this type of theft, some experts recommend that you keep your key fob when not in use in a metal container or pouch. But it is a straightforward solution that has been shown to not work against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a much better choice, since it physically stops the thief from driving the vehicle once it was stolen car keys.

Many car manufacturers have attempted to tackle this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems, which use cryptographic techniques and time-sensitive codes to protect against relay attacks. Criminals have devised devices that can defeat these measures. In the end, the race is on to find a way to combat criminals who use relays without compromising the convenient nature of technology that is keyless.

Hacking

Many new cars are fitted with keyless entry systems, which allow drivers to start and open their vehicle without the need of a physical key or button. These systems are susceptible to a new kind of theft. The thieves could make use of electronic devices that replicate the signal of the key fob and transmit it to an accomplice who is holding a transmitter close to the vehicle. The thief is then able to unlock the spare car key stolen and drive off. According to AAA the method is referred to as a relay attack. It can be accomplished in 20 to 30 second.

In most cases, thieves employ inexpensive devices that imitate wireless key fob signals to capture the signal and relay it to an accomplice. The thief will then appear to be the owner of the car when the victim presses the key fob button to start or lock the vehicle. They accomplish this by sending a response that appears to the car's computer as an authentic signal.

More sophisticated thieves have created devices that can be connected into the car's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, which is usually situated under the steering wheel and allows mechanics to connect to a diagnostic tool. The criminal then downloads data from the computer of the car and creates a blank key fob matching the specifications of the car. This type of hacking is possible on almost all vehicles.

Some thieves have used TikTok challenges to instruct people on how to build cheap amplifiers that increase the signal from the key fob, which lets an accomplice to unlock the car even when it is in the driveway. This method has led companies like Kia to issue software updates that eliminate the vulnerability.

Experts recommend keeping your keys to your car in a trunk or place further away from home to ensure that thieves can't easily access them. You can also buy RFID pouches to protect the signal from misuse. These pouches can be bought for just $10. Some are equipped with metal mesh linings. It is also essential to keep your car's software up-to the latest version, just as you do with your phone and computer.

Radio Frequency Identification Cards

The most recent car key fobs make use of radio signals to communicate with the vehicle, allowing owners to unlock their vehicles and start them without having to touch the key. These new technologies increase the likelihood of theft. The signal from a keyfob can be recorded if the fob is placed on a desk near the front door or in the wallet. Then, they can copy it using simple devices called emulators, that are the size of handheld consoles. They can then unlock the car in just a few minutes and drive off.

Typically, crooks operate in pairs. The crooks typically work in pairs. One will stand outside your home with a relay amplifier and the other will be equipped with a device that records the signal of a keyfob. The crooks can then amplify the signal to ensure it is strong enough to evade your car's security systems.

Another popular tactic involves simply jamming the communication between the key fob and the vehicle. Thieves do this by using signal jammers that emit the same radio frequencies as a key fob. This jams the signal and prevents 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 on guard to protect their inventory. Dealerships should install high-security perimeter fences, with cameras and secure entrances to ensure that thieves are unable to drive flatbeds and cars at night. They should also educate employees on proper key handling practices and lock vehicles securely and placing them in a secure location when not in use.

Fortunately, technology can help stop car thefts and combat the new thieves. For instance, certain car manufacturers are developing key fobs with active RFID chips with frequency-hopping technology to make it more difficult for thieves to amplify the signal from the key. Furthermore, Faraday cages can be used to block the transmission of signals from a key fob cars. Other options include engraving the last seven digits of your vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the windows, headlights, and mirrors in order to prevent the resale or reuse of your vehicle.

VIN Theft

While keyless entry is convenient, it also creates new opportunities for criminals to steal cars. If your car recognizes the signal that is sent by your remote or wireless key fob, it will open the door and start the engine. However, if the signal isn't recognized, your car will still be locked, but it won't start. You need to hold the key to turn on the starter.

Even when your vehicle is parked, it's important to keep the remote and key fob from being seen. A criminal can hijack your signal by using a tiny transmitter. Then, he can open your door without touching the ignition or the key.

In some instances, criminals are even capable of swapping out a vehicle's VIN and title to conceal their involvement in the theft of the vehicle. This practice, also known as VIN-switching, is on the increase. The thieves will usually buy damaged vehicles through auctions or the police department and then modify the VIN. They then use the genuine VIN of a different make and model to obtain an updated title and registration and then sell it to uninitiated buyers.

The VIN is a very popular method to stop theft. Many companies offer kits for this, and in some locations, the police department or AAA provides this service free of charge. It may seem strange to think that etching could hinder thieves. After all it makes it more difficult for dealers to buy your car. A professional thief would avoid your Car Stolen Keyless Entry because they are aware that etching can be a major stumbling-block.

The NICB also offers a no-cost VINCheck service online to determine whether your vehicle has been reported as a salvaged or stolen car keys change locks vehicle, but not yet recovered. The service requires an active VIN to perform a search and is accessible via their website. 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 alarms and locks for the steering wheel and window etching.