The History Of Car Stolen Keyless Entry In 10 Milestones
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Keyless Entry and Car Theft
The number of vehicle thefts is growing and thieves are finding new ways to break into vehicles. One of the most common methods is keyless entry.
There is no longer a time when thieves broke windows and wired cars to steal. Now they can hack into a vehicle's computer systems within 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, the same convenience can make vehicles vulnerable to theft. Particularly, thieves have been able utilize a technique that is called the relay attack to steal cars in a matter of seconds. This technique uses a device to record and amplify the signal that is sent by your car's key fob, permitting thieves to unlock the car and drive away.
Relay attacks are a variation on an older technique known as Man-in the-Middle Attacks. This kind of attack is utilized in cybersecurity to disrupt and alter the communications between two entities without either party being aware of it. In a relay attack the attacker uses an electronic device that can capture and transmit the signal from the fob of the key in your car to a device located nearby. The second device is able to unlock the door and start the engine of your car in a matter of minutes.
Criminals can carry out a relay attack by making use of a low-cost and readily available device to capture the signal from an electronic key fob. Usually, thieves operate in pairs, with one person holding the relay amplifier and the other one standing close to the house of the victim. The thief will then wave the device in front of the victim's house, which tricks the car into thinking the key is within 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 it is not in use in a metal container or pouch. This is a basic but ineffective solution against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a superior option, since it physically blocks the person who stole the vehicle from driving the vehicle once it's been stolen.
Many vehicle manufacturers have attempted to address this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems that rely on encryption techniques and time-sensitive codes in order to protect against relay attacks. However, criminals have been able to create devices that defy these measures. As a result, the race is on to find a solution to relay crime without comprising the convenient nature of technology that is keyless.
Hacking
Many new cars are equipped with keyless entry systems which let drivers start and open their vehicle without the need of a physical button or key. But these systems can also be susceptible to a different kind of theft. The thieves could use electronic devices that copy the signal of the key fob and then transmit it to an accomplice who is holding an electronic transmitter near the vehicle. The criminal then unlocks the vehicle and is able to drive away. This is referred to as a relay attack and can be accomplished within 20 to 30 seconds according to AAA.
Often, thieves can employ inexpensive devices that imitate wireless key fob signals to capture the signal and transmit it to a third party. The thief can then pretend to be the owner of the vehicle when the victim presses the key fob to begin or shut the car. They do this by sending a message that appears to the car system as authentic signal.
More sophisticated thieves have created devices that can be connected into the car's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port that is usually located beneath the steering wheel. This port allows mechanics to connect to a diagnostic tool. The thief downloads the information from the computer of the car and creates a blank key fob matching the specifications of the car. Nearly all cars are vulnerable to this kind of hacking.
Some thieves have even used TikTok challenges to instruct people on how to build inexpensive amplifiers that increase the signal from an electronic key fob. They also allow an accomplice to unlock the vehicle from a distance, even though it's parked on the driveway. This has led to manufacturers like Kia to release software updates that block the vulnerability.
Experts suggest keeping your car keys further away from your home, and even in the trunk, so that thieves have a tough time accessing the keys. You can also purchase RFID pouches to protect the signal from unauthorized use. These pouches can be purchased for less than $10. Some are equipped 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 phone and computer.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards
The most recent car key fobs communicate with vehicles using radio signals, allowing the owners of the cars to unlock and start their vehicles without touching keys. These new technologies increase the risk of theft. Thieves can steal the signal from a key fob, if it is left on a table close to the front door of the home or in a pocket, and they can clone the signal using devices that are the size of handheld gaming consoles referred to as emulators. From there, they can open the car and drive it away in minutes.
Typically, crooks operate in pairs. The crooks typically operate in pairs. One will be in front of your home with a relay amplifier and the other will be equipped with a device that receives the signal of a keyfob. The thieves will then amplify the signal until it becomes strong enough to evade security systems inside your car.
Another technique that is popular is blocking the communication between the key fob and the vehicle. The thieves employ signal jammers which emit the same radio frequency as a key fob. The signal is blocked and prevents it from being picked up by the car. The lock button won't work.
As thieves become more sophisticated in their tactics and techniques, dealers must be alert in securing click here their inventory. Dealerships should install high-security perimeter fences, with cameras and secure entrances so that thieves cannot drive flatbeds with cars at night. They should also train employees on the proper handling of keys and lock vehicles securely and keeping them in a secure location when not being used.
Fortunately, technology is working to combat these new thieves and prevent car thefts. For instance, some car manufacturers are developing key fobs that use active RFID chips that incorporate frequency-hopping technology to make it harder for thieves to amplify the signal from the key. Faraday cages are a different way to prevent signals from a keyfob's to the vehicle. Other options include etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the windows, headlights and mirrors to prevent the sale or reuse of your vehicle.
Theft of VIN
Keyless entry is useful, but it also provides new opportunities for thieves to steal vehicles. When your car recognises the signal that is sent by your wireless remote or key fob, it will open the door and start the engine. If the signal is not acknowledged, the vehicle will still lock, but it won't start. It is necessary to hold the key to activate the starter.
Even when your car is parked, it's crucial to keep the remote and key fob in a safe place. A criminal can use a small transmitter device to pick up your signal and then steal it. Then, he's able to unlock your door and drive away without ever touching the actual physical key or ignition.
Criminals can even swap out the VIN and title of a stolen vehicle to conceal their involvement. This practice is referred to as VIN switching and is currently on increasing. Typically, crooks buy a damaged car through auctions or police departments and then modify the VIN. They then take a legitimate VIN from another model and an attempt to get a new title and registration and then sell the vehicle to unwitting buyers.
A popular method of deterring theft is to have your VIN etched into your vehicle's glass. Many companies provide kits for this, and in some places the police department or AAA provides this service for free. It's a bit odd that etching would deter thieves since it makes your car more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. However, a professional thief is aware that etching can be a significant stumbling block and will likely avoid taking your car.
The NICB offers a free VINCheck online service to determine if your car was ever reported as stolen or salvaged, but has not yet recovered. The service requires an authentic VIN to perform a search and is accessible via their website. In addition, a wide variety of crime-deterring products are available for your vehicle that include audible and visible devices that act as a deterrent to criminals. These include alarms and locks for the steering wheel, as well as window engraving.