How Car Stolen Keyless Entry Can Be Your Next Big Obsession

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Keyless Entry and Car Theft

Car theft is increasing and thieves have found new ways to get into vehicles. One of the most well-known methods is keyless entry.

There is no longer a time when thieves broke windows and wired cars to steal them. Now they can hack into the computer systems of vehicles in minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction of technology called Push-to-Start millions of drivers have benefited from being able to start their car without reaching for a key. However, this same convenience makes vehicles more vulnerable to theft. The relay attack is a novel method that thieves can employ to steal cars in a matter of seconds. This technique makes use of an amplifier to record and amplify the signal sent by the key fob of your car. It allows thieves to unlock your car and drive off.

The relay attack is a variant of an older method known as Man-in-the-Middle attacks. This kind of attack could be employed in cybersecurity to snoop on communications between two parties and alter it without the other being aware of. In the scenario of a relay attack the attacker employs a device to intercept the signal from your car's key fob and then transmits that signal to a different device that is close by. This second device is able to open the door and start the engine, effectively taking your car in a matter of seconds.

Criminals can conduct an attack using a simple and easily accessible device to detect the signal from an electronic key fob. Most often, thieves operate in pairs. One person will hold the amplifier for relay while the other stands outside near the victim's home. The thief simply wave the device in front of the home of the victim and trick the car into thinking the key is in range and allows it to be opened and started.

Some experts suggest storing your key fob in a metallic container, signal-blocking pouch, or Faraday bag when it is not in use to prevent this type of theft. But it is a straightforward solution that has been proven to be ineffective against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a superior option, since it physically stops the thief from steering the vehicle after it has been taken.

Many car manufacturers have attempted to tackle this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems that rely on cryptographic methods and time-sensitive codes to protect against relay attacks. Criminals have created devices that are able to defeat these measures. This is why the race is on to discover a way to stop relay crime without comprising the convenience of technology that is keyless.

Hacking

Many new cars have keyless entry systems that allow drivers to open and start their car without a physical button or key. However, these systems can be vulnerable to a new type of theft. The thieves can employ electronic devices that copy the signal from the key fob, and transmit it to an accomplice who holds a transmitter close to the vehicle. The thief then unlocks the vehicle and is able to drive away. According to AAA this method is referred to as relay attack. It can be accomplished in 20 to 30 second.

Thieves often employ cheap devices that mimic the wireless signal from the key fob to record it and send it to an accomplice. When the victim presses their key fob to unlock or start the car, the criminal can pretend to be the owner of the car by sending a signal to the car's system, making it believe that a legitimate signal is being sent by the fob.

More sophisticated thieves have created devices that can be plugged into the car's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port which is typically located beneath the steering wheel and allows mechanics to connect an instrument for diagnostics. The thief can then download information from the car's computer and create a blank key fob that matches the car's specifications. This kind of hacking is possible on nearly all vehicles.

Some thieves have used TikTok challenges as a way to teach people to make cheap amplifiers which boost the signal of the key fob, which lets an accomplice to unlock the car while it is parked in the driveway. This has prompted companies like Kia and Toyota to update their software which block this vulnerability.

Experts suggest that you store your car keys in a trunk or a space that is far from home so that a thief cannot easily gain access to the keys. You can also purchase RFID pouches that block the signal and prevent unauthorised use. These pouches can be purchased for just $10. Some come with metal mesh linings. It's also important to keep your car's software up-to date, just as you would with your smartphone and computer.

Radio Frequency Identification Cards

The latest car key fobs communicate with vehicles via radio signals, which allows owners of the automobiles to unlock and start their cars without touching the key. These new technologies increase the chance of theft. The signal from a keyfob's sensor can be captured if the fob is left on a table 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 open the car in a matter of minutes and drive away.

Typically, the crooks work in pairs. The crooks usually work in pairs. One of them will be outside your home equipped with a relay amplifier and the other will have the device that receives the signal from the keyfob. The thieves will then amplify the signal until it becomes strong enough to be able to bypass security systems in your vehicle.

Another popular tactic involves simply blocking the communication between the keyfob and vehicle. The thieves do this using signal jammers which emit the same radio frequency as the key fob. This blocks the signal and stops it from being picked up by the car. The lock button won't work.

Auto dealers must be vigilant to protect their inventory as thieves become more sophisticated. Dealerships should install high-security perimeter fences with cameras and secure entrances, so that thieves cannot drive flatbeds and cars at night. They should also educate their employees on the proper handling of keys, such as locking what to do if your car keys are stolen cars securely and keeping keys in a safe place when not when not in use.

Fortunately technology is working to combat these new thieves and prevent car thefts. Some car manufacturers are working on key fobs with active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology, which makes it difficult for thieves to amplify the signal from the keys. Faraday cages are another method to block signals from a keyfob's signal to the car. Other defences include engraving the last seven digits from your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the headlights, windows, and mirrors in order 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 vehicles. If your car detects a signal sent from your wireless key or remote fob, it will open the door and begin the engine. However, if the signal isn't detected, your car will still lock but won't start. You must hold the key to turn on the starter.

Even when your vehicle is parked, it's important to keep the remote and key fob in a safe place. Criminals can steal your signal by using a tiny transmitter. He will then be able to open your door without touching the ignition or key.

Criminals can even swap out the VIN and title of a stolen car to hide their involvement. This technique, referred to as VIN-switching, is currently on increasing. The thieves usually purchase a damaged vehicle at an auction or from the police department and then modify the VIN. They then make use of an authentic VIN from another model and an attempt to get a new registration and title, and then sell the car to unsuspecting buyers.

A popular method of deterring theft is to have your VIN written into the glass of your car. There are a number of firms that offer kits for this, and in certain areas, the police department or AAA offers this service for free. It might seem counterintuitive to think that etching will discourage thieves. After all it makes it more difficult for dealers to purchase your vehicle. However, a professional thief is aware that etching can be an important obstacle and will probably deter them from the theft of your vehicle.

The NICB provides a free VINCheck online service that will determine if your car has been reported stolen or salvaged but not yet recovered. The service requires a valid VIN to conduct a search. It is available through their website. There are also a variety of security devices that deter criminals from your car. These include audible and visual devices that deter criminals. Some of them include the locks on your steering wheel alarms, window etching and window locks.