You're About To Expand Your Car Stolen Keyless Entry Options

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Keyless Entry and Car Theft

The number of car burglaries is growing and thieves are discovering new ways to gain access to vehicles. Keyless entry is among the most common methods.

There is no longer a time when thieves broke windows and hotwired vehicles to steal. They can now hack the computer systems of a vehicle in minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction of the technology known as Push-to-Start millions of motorists have benefited from being able to start their car without needing a key. However, this same convenience can make vehicles vulnerable to theft. In particular, thieves have been able use a new technique called the relay attack to steal cars within seconds. This method uses an amplifier to amplify and capture the signal sent by the key fob of your car. It allows thieves to unlock the car and then drive away.

Relay attacks are a variant of an older technique known as Man-in-the-Middle Attacks. This kind of attack is used in cybersecurity to alter and intercept the communications between two entities without either party realizing it. In a relay attack the attacker employs an electronic device to capture and transmit the signal from the key fob in your car to a device in the vicinity. The second device is able to open the door and start the engine, thereby taking your vehicle away in a matter of minutes.

To carry out an attack using relays criminals need only an affordable, easily accessible device that can pick up and amplify the signal from your key fob. Usually, thieves will work in pairs. One person will hold the relay amplifier while the other is outside in front of the victim’s house. The thief swizzles the device in the direction of the home of the victim, and then tricks the car into thinking that the key is nearby.

Some experts recommend storing your key fob in a metallic container, signal-blocking pouch or Faraday bag whenever not in use to stop this kind of theft. This is a simple but ineffective method against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a much superior option, since it physically prevents the thief from steering the vehicle after it's been stolen.

Many car makers have attempted to address this issue by introducing features, such as secure keyless entry systems which use cryptographic methods with time-sensitive codes to protect against relay attacks. Criminals have devised devices that can thwart these measures. In the end, the race is on to discover a way to stop relay crime without comprising the convenient nature of keyless technology.

Hacking

Many new cars are equipped with keyless entry systems which allow drivers to open and start their car without the need for a physical button or key. These systems are vulnerable to a new kind of theft. Thieves can utilize electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and send it to a transmitter held by an accomplice who is close to the car. The thief then unlocks the vehicle and takes off. According to AAA the method is known as a relay attack. It can be completed in between 20 and 30 seconds.

Thieves can often use inexpensive devices to imitate wireless key fob signal to record it and send it to an accomplice. The thief then appears to be the owner of the vehicle when the victim presses the key fob button to start or close the vehicle. They accomplish this by sending a response that appears to the car's computer as an authentic signal.

More sophisticated thieves have developed devices that plug into the car's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, which is usually situated under the steering wheel. This port allows mechanics to connect a diagnostic tool. The thief is then able to download data from the car's computers and create a blank key fob that meets the car's specifications. Most vehicles are susceptible to this type of hacking.

Some thieves have employed TikTok challenges to train people to create inexpensive amplifiers that boost the signal from the key fob, which lets an accomplice unlock the car when it is parked in the driveway. This here has prompted companies such as Kia and Toyota to release software updates that prevent this vulnerability.

Experts recommend keeping your keys to your car in a trunk, or a place further away from home, so that a burglar isn't able to easily access them. You can also purchase RFID pouches to protect the signal from misuse. These pouches can be purchased for less than $10. Some come with metal mesh linings. Similar to your phone and computer it is essential to keep the software in your vehicle up-to date.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards

The latest car key fobs use radio signals to communicate with the vehicle which allows owners to unlock their cars and start them without having to touch the key. These new technologies increase the likelihood of theft. The signal from a keyfob's sensor 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, known as emulators, which are the size of handheld consoles. Once they have it, they can open the car and drive it away in minutes.

Typically, crooks operate in pairs. One will stand outside your home, holding a relay amplifier, while the other holds the device that collects the signal from the key fob. The thieves will then amplify the signal to make it strong enough to be able to bypass security systems inside your car.

Another technique that is popular is blocking the communication between the keyfob and vehicle. The thieves employ signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as the key fob. This jams the signal and stops it from being detected by the car. 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 need to implement high-security perimeter fencing with cameras and a secure entryway to ensure that thieves aren't able to drive in flatbeds and vehicles after hours. They must also train their employees on the proper handling of keys, including locking cars securely and keeping keys in a safe place when not in use.

Luckily, technology is working to fight these new thieves and to prevent car thefts. For instance, certain car manufacturers are developing key fobs that use active RFID chips with frequency-hopping technology to make it harder for thieves to amplify the signal from the key. Faraday cages are another way to prevent signals from a keyfob's signal to the vehicle. 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

Keyless entry is convenient, but it also provides new opportunities for thieves to steal cars. Your car will unlock doors and start the engine when it recognizes the signal sent by your wireless key fob or remote. If the signal is not recognised, your vehicle will be locked, but it will not start. You must hold the key to turn on the starter.

This is why it's essential to keep your key fob and remote out of sight even when your car is in a parking spot. Criminals could use a tiny transmitter device to detect your signal and steal it. Then, he can open your door without touching the ignition or the key.

Criminals can even swap out the VIN and title of a stolen car to hide their involvement. This practice, also known as VIN-switching is on the increase. The thieves typically purchase damaged vehicles at an auction or from the police department and modify the VIN. They then use a valid VIN from an alternative model and make to obtain a brand new registration and title, and then sell the vehicle to unsuspecting buyers.

The VIN is a well-known method to deter theft. Many companies provide kits for this, and in some places the police department or AAA provides this service at no cost. It may be strange to believe that etching can deter thieves. After all it makes it difficult for dealers to purchase your vehicle. But, a professional thief is aware that etching is an important stumbling block and will probably deter them from taking your car.

The NICB provides a free VINCheck online service to determine if your car has ever been reported as stolen or salvaged but not yet recovered. The service is only available on their website and requires the use of a valid VIN. In addition, a large variety of crime-deterring products are available for your vehicle, including audible and visible devices that act as a deterrent to criminals. These include steering wheel locks and alarms as well as window engraving.