Keyless Cars Being Stolen in Minutes

Criminals target keyless cars that can be stolen within minutes using equipment sold online. Find out how thieves can bypass security features of your vehicle and what to do if car keys stolen you need to do to protect it.

Keep your key fob in the faraday pouch or an aluminum tin to block its signal. Consider installing an electronic lock for steering to prevent your vehicle from being stolen.

Relay Theft

The ease of using keys-less cars can make it easy to forget that they could also make your car vulnerable to high-tech criminals. Relay theft is among the most recent hacking techniques thieves employ.

With this method, two criminals work in tandem to rob your vehicle. One thief is standing by your home and is equipped with a device that amplifies the signal of an electronic key fob, and transmit that amplified signal across a distance to the second thief positioned near your car. The second thief will use their device to mimic your fob signal to unlock the car or start the engine. This allows them to drive off with the vehicle.

They can be purchased online at a bargain price. They can be utilized on any car including the most modern SUVs to the earliest Honda Civics. Certain vehicles are at greater risk than others. Criminals target cars that are highly sought after by thieves due to their high resale value, or the ease with the ability to dismantle them. You should park your vehicle in a well-lit area and remove anything valuable from the vehicle (including the owner's guide which could contain a key for valet service).

In the UK the United Kingdom, thefts involving this method are at an all-time high, according to the tracking company Tracker UK. In July 2023, they were responsible for 98% of all stolen vehicles that the company helped recover.

To reduce the chances of becoming a victim experts recommend installing security systems for cars that are aftermarket such as alarms and GPS trackers. They also recommend storing keys in a metal container, signal-blocking pouches or Faraday box, which can protect against relay attacks.

Dealerships can safeguard their inventory by installing physical security measures, like perimeter fencing, surveillance cameras and well-lit areas. They should also train their staff on how to handle lockdown and keys to avoid theft. If they are selling older vehicles, they should consider a dealer-installed ignition immobilizer. This will prevent thieves from escaping with the vehicle after fooling the system into believing that it is still parked on the lot of the dealership.

Theft of Transponders

In order to keep up to date with the latest technologies, thieves upgrade their equipment to be compatible with the latest technology. Criminals use a relay attack to steal cars that are keyless. Two people work together. A thief stands outside the home of the victim, using a device that picks up the signal from a key fob, which is then transmitted to a person who is waiting by the car. If the signal copied is detected the door opens and the car begins to move and the car starts - without the need for the actual key to be present. Security cameras in homes has revealed this happening with deactivate stolen car key fob cars being driven away in seconds.

This is a growing threat to owners of all makes and models, putting even older luxury cars being stolen with keyless entry in danger. In fact, the tracing company Tracker UK reported that keyless thefts account for 98% of all the high-tech vehicles it helped recover in the last year. Older luxury vehicles with lower-end keyless systems are at the highest risk which includes Mercedes C- and E-Class, BMW 3 Series, Land Rover Discovery and Jaguar XF models.

Another method of theft via keyless is code theft that can occur when you're not paying careful attention to where you place your key fob. For instance, you could place it in your pocket while you're at home, but forget to take it when you leave. If your fob is in range of the smart hub or home security system, you are able to hack it to gain access to vehicle control systems. Hackers with a thorough knowledge of electronics can reprogram the car to perform whatever they want it to accomplish, like turning off the ignition and start driving off.

It is important to protect your vehicle and be aware of these attacks. You can try to limit the risk by parking in a secure garage or gated and safe car park. If this isn't possible you can install a motion sensored video camera that can view your driveway. You can also buy signal-blocking accessories such as boxes and bags, which are designed to stop thieves from stealing your key fob's signals when they're in close proximity to an electronic jammer.

Programming Theft

The technology used in keyless cars makes them more convenient for us, but it can also make them easier for thieves to take. The "relay attack" is a common way to steal a vehicle using keyless entry systems. The thieves operate in pairs, using devices to intercept your fob's signals when it is near the ignition or door to open your car.

The keyless system works on low-power radio waves that only work when the key fob is close to the ignition or doors. However, a clever hacker can use specially designed equipment to increase the amount of communication between the vehicle and the fob, greatly increasing the effectiveness of the system. This allows a criminal to fool the vehicle into believing that the fob is close enough to allow it to start or unlock it, even though it may be a few meters away from the victim's home, or in their pockets.

Some cars have security features that prevent ignition if the fob is too far away. However it only works when your vehicle has been programmed to ensure that it can recognize the signal of the fob at a certain frequency. If a hacker can obtain the coding for the car's system, they are able to modify the fob's programming to operate at the frequency that the car is programmed to recognize and bypass this security feature.

The On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD), which is usually situated under the steering wheel, could be used by thieves to obtain the coding of your keyless transmission. This device, referred to as a 'key programmer' can be purchased on the internet for less than $1000. This tool is able to download the specific information of your vehicle to a blank keyfob, which allows the fob to be unlocked and start the car as if it were the real thing.

These tools are readily available online and allow criminals to target a variety of types and makes. The most well-known keyless entry cars are those made by luxury manufacturers like BMW Audi Mercedes and Jaguar. These are the ones that are targeted the most. In fact the insurance company Tracker has discovered that high-end models account for up to 50% of all high-tech theft cases it helps recover.

Theft of a Lockout

Criminals are able to exploit the weaknesses of keyless entry systems. The old method of smashing a car window and hotwiring the vehicle is still a common practice, however increasing numbers of thieves are turning to more sophisticated methods that allow them to steal vehicles without breaking into the home. According to data collected by the company that tracks Tracker the theft of cars has increased to an all-time record in the U.K., with keyless car thefts making up large proportions of the total.

These new techniques are not just cheaper than traditional car thefts, they can be accomplished within a matter of minutes. A team of two thieves, for example could employ devices that capture the signal from the keyfob, and sends it directly to a transmitter that is in the hands of the other thief. The other thief could then unlock the car and leave. The devices used by criminals are available for less than $100 and work well with a variety of models and makes.

In addition to these advanced methods, thieves are now able to capture the data sent by a key fob that they can copy and upload to an unlocked key fob. Key fobs that have been cloned will be able to unlock and start vehicles even though they're not the original keys.

ADAC's research showed that hundreds of popular car models, such as the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Golf are vulnerable to this kind of theft. In reality one key can unlock multiple vehicles using this method, which means that it is no longer necessary to target specific brands or models.

Car manufacturers now offer security measures to keep cars safe against these new threats. For instance, Kia has created a faraday bag that can be tucked inside the pocket of the driver's key fob to block signals and guard against theft. Other options include creating additional keys and storing in secure but easily accessible places or installing cameras around your home and driveway, or using apps to ensure you aren't forgetting about your car. It is essential to check the battery levels of your key fob frequently to ensure that it isn't going flat.