Why Car Stolen Keyless Entry Is Quickly Becoming The Trendiest Thing In 2024
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Keyless Entry and Car Theft
The number of vehicle thefts is increasing, and thieves are finding new ways to get into vehicles. Keyless entry is among the most popular methods.
The days of thieves broke windows and hotwired vehicles to steal. 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 keys. Unfortunately, the same convenience also makes vehicles more vulnerable to theft. In particular the past, thieves have been able to utilize a technique that is called the relay attack to steal cars in seconds. This method uses an amplifier to capture and amplify the signal transmitted by the car's keyfob. It allows thieves to unlock the car and drive off.
The relay attack is actually a variant of an older technique known as Man-in the-Middle attacks. This kind of attack can be used in cybersecurity to intercept communications between two entities and alter it without either party not knowing. In a relay attack, the attacker employs an electronic device to capture and transmit the signal from the fob of the key in your car to a second device nearby. This second device can open the door and begin the engine of your car in a matter of seconds.
In order to carry out a relay attack criminals need only a cheap, readily available device that can detect and amplify the signal coming from your key fob. Typically, thieves work in pairs, with one person holding the relay amplifier, and the other one standing close to the house of the victim. The thief swizzles the device towards the home of the victim, luring the car into thinking that the key is nearby.
To stop this type of theft, experts suggest that you store your key fob when it is not being used in a metal container or pouch. But, this is a simple solution that has been proven to not work against modern relay devices. The best option is to invest in a steering wheel lock, that physically blocks the thief's ability to steer the vehicle after it's taken.
Many car makers have attempted to solve this problem by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems, which use cryptographic methods with time-sensitive codes in order to defend against relay attacks. However criminals have managed to create devices that can defeat these measures. As a result, the race is on to find a way to combat criminals who use relays without compromising the convenience of technology that is keyless.
Hacking
A lot of new cars come with keyless entry systems, that allow drivers to open and start their car without needing an actual key or button. However, these systems can be susceptible to a different kind of theft. Thieves could use electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and transmit it to a transmitter carried by an accomplice who is near to the car. The thief then unlocks the vehicle and drives away. This method is called a relay attack and can be done in 20 to 30 seconds, according to AAA.
Thieves can often use inexpensive devices that mimic wireless key fob signal to capture it and transmit it to a partner. The thief will then appear to be the owner of the vehicle when the victim presses the key fob to begin or close the vehicle. They do this by sending a message that appears to the car's system as an authentic signal.
More sophisticated thieves have developed devices that plug into a car's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port that 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 computer and create a blank key fob that matches the specifications of the car. Most vehicles are susceptible to this kind of hacking.
Some thieves have used TikTok challenges as a way to train people to create cheap amplifiers that increase the signal of a key fob, allowing an accomplice to open the door when it is parked in the driveway. This has led to manufacturers like Kia to issue software updates that eliminate the vulnerability.
Experts suggest that you store your car keys in a trunk or a space that is far from home, so that a burglar cannot easily gain access to the keys. You can also consider investing in RFID pouches that protect the signal and discourage unauthorised use. Some of these pouches come with metal mesh linings, and can be purchased on the low end for around $10. Just like your computer and phone it is essential to keep the software in your vehicle up-to date.
Radio Frequency Identification Cards
The latest car key fobs communicate with vehicles using radio signals, which allows owners of the cars to unlock and start their vehicles without touching keys. These new technologies increase the likelihood of theft. Thieves can steal the signal from a key fob when it is placed on a table near the front door of the house or in a pocket and they are able to duplicate the signal using car stolen without key devices the size of handheld gaming consoles referred to as emulators. They can then unlock the car in just a few minutes and drive away.
The crooks typically work in pairs. The crooks typically work in pairs. One will be outside of your house with a relay amplifier and the other will be equipped with a device that captures the signal from the keyfob. The thieves will then increase the signal until it is strong enough to bypass your car's security system.
Another popular tactic is to block the communication between the key fob and the car. Thieves accomplish this by using signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as the key fob. This muddles the signal, stopping it from reaching the car, thereby preventing the lock button from working.
As thieves become more sophisticated in their techniques and techniques, dealers must be alert in securing their inventory. Dealerships need to install high-security perimeter fences with cameras and secure entrances to ensure that thieves can't drive flatbeds on vehicles after hours. They must also train their employees on proper handling of keys, which includes locking vehicles securely and storing keys in a safe place when not in use.
Fortunately technology is working to combat these new thieves and stop car thefts. Some car manufacturers are working on key fobs that have active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology that makes it difficult for thieves to amplify the signal of the keys. Faraday cages are a different way to prevent signals from a keyfob to the car. Other options include engraving the last seven digits from your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the windows, headlights, and mirrors in order to stop the resale or reuse of your vehicle.
Theft of VIN
Keyless entry is practical, but it opens up new possibilities for thieves to take vehicles. If your car recognizes a signal sent from your wireless remote or key fob, it will unlock the door and start the engine. If the signal isn't acknowledged, the vehicle will be locked, but it will not start. It is necessary to hold the key to turn on the starter.
This is the reason it's crucial to keep your key fob and remote away from view, even when your car is in a parking spot. A criminal can hijack your signal using a small transmitter. Then, he's able to unlock your door and drive off without ever having to touch the actual physical ignition or key.
In some cases criminals may be capable of swapping the vehicle's VIN and title to conceal their involvement in the stolen car. This practice, known as VIN-switching, is currently on increasing. The thieves typically purchase damaged vehicles at an auction or from the police department, and then change the VIN. They then make use of a valid VIN from a different model and make the purchase of a brand new title and registration and then sell the vehicle to unsuspecting buyers.
A popular method of deterring theft is to have your VIN inscribed into the glass of your car. There are several firms that offer kits for this, and in some locations the police department or AAA offers this service for free. It might seem counterintuitive to think that etching will deter thieves. In the end it makes it difficult for dealers to buy your car. However, a professional thief is aware that etching is an important obstacle and will likely avoid taking your car.
The NICB also offers a free VINCheck service online to determine whether your vehicle has been reported as a salvaged or stolen, but not yet recovered. The service is only available on their website and requires an authentic VIN. There are also a range of security devices that deter criminals from your vehicle. These include audible as well as visual devices that deter criminals. Some of them include steering wheel locks, alarms and window etching.