Car Stolen Keyless Entry Tips That Will Change Your Life

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Keyless Entry and Car Theft

The number of car thefts is increasing, and thieves are finding 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 hotwired cars to steal. They can now hack into the computer systems of vehicles in 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 keys. However, this convenience makes cars more vulnerable to theft. The relay attack is a brand new method that thieves can employ to steal cars in a matter of minutes. This technique uses an instrument to capture and amplify the signal by the key fob of your car, permitting thieves to unlock the car and drive away.

The relay attack is actually an alteration of an older technique referred to as Man-in-the-Middle attacks. This type of attack can be employed in cybersecurity to intercept communication between two parties and alter it without the other knowing. In a relay attack the attacker uses an electronic device that can capture and transmit the signal from the key fob of your car to a device nearby. This second device is able to open the door and begin the engine, effectively stealing your vehicle in seconds.

Criminals can perform a relay attack using a simple and easily available device to pick up the signal from the key fob. Typically, thieves work in pairs, with one person holding the relay amplifier, and the other one standing near the home of the victim. The thief swizzles the device towards the home of the victim, luring the car into thinking the key is in close proximity.

To avoid this kind of theft, some experts recommend that you keep your key fob whenever not in use in a metallic container or pouch. However it is a straightforward solution that has been proven to be ineffective against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a better option, as it physically prevents the thief from driving the vehicle once it has been stolen.

Many car manufacturers have attempted to address this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems that rely on cryptographic methods and time-sensitive codes to guard against relay attacks. Criminals have created devices that can thwart these measures. This is why the race is on to find a solution to relay crime without comprising the convenient nature of keyless technology.

Hacking

Many new cars are equipped with keyless entry systems which let drivers start and open their vehicle without needing an actual key or button. But these systems can also be susceptible to a different type of theft. Thieves may employ electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and transmit it to a transmitter held by a accomplice who is standing close to the vehicle. The thief then has the ability to unlock the vehicle and drive off. This method is called relay attack and can be completed in between 20 and 30 seconds, according to AAA.

Most often, thieves will make use of inexpensive devices that mimic wireless key fob signals to collect the signal and relay it to a accomplice. Then, when the victim presses their key fob to lock or start the car, the criminal can pretend to be the legitimate owner by transmitting a response to the car's system that makes it believe that a genuine signal is being transmitted by the fob.

More sophisticated thieves have developed devices that plug into the car's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port which is typically located beneath the steering wheel and allows mechanics to connect to a diagnostic tool. The thief click here downloads the data from the computer of the car and creates an unlocked key fob that matches the specifications of the car. This kind of hacking is possible on almost all vehicles.

Some thieves have even used TikTok challenges to teach people how to create cheap amplifiers that boost the signal of an electronic key fob. They also allow an accomplice to unlock the car from a distance, while it's parked on the driveway. This has led to manufacturers like Kia to issue software updates that eliminate the vulnerability.

Experts suggest keeping your car keys further away from your home, even in the trunk, so thieves have a difficult getting access to them. You can also consider investing in RFID pouches that shield the signal and deter the use of your keys in a non-approved way. Some of these pouches feature metal mesh linings and can be purchased on the low end for about $10. Similar to your phone and computer, it's important to keep the software on your car up-to-date.

Radio Frequency Identification 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 a key. However, these new technologies also increase the risk of theft. The signal from a keyfob can be recorded if the fob is placed on a desk near the front door or in a wallet. It is then possible to copy it using simple devices, called emulators, the size of handheld consoles. From there, they can open the car and drive it away in just a few minutes.

The crooks typically work in pairs. One will be outside your house holding a relay amplifier, while the other holds the device that records the signal from the key fob. The thieves can 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 key fob and the vehicle. The thieves use signal jammers which emit the same radio frequency as the key fob. This muddles the signal, which prevents it from reaching the car, which prevents the lock button from working.

As thieves become more sophisticated in their techniques auto dealers must be vigilant in protecting their inventory. Dealerships should install high-security perimeter fencing with cameras and a secure entryway to prevent thieves from driving in flatbeds and vehicles after hours. They should also train employees on the proper handling of keys, including securely locking cars and placing them in a secure place when they are not in use.

Luckily, technology is working to combat these new thieves and to prevent car thefts. Some car manufacturers are developing keyfobs with active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology that makes it difficult for thieves to amplify the signal from the keys. Furthermore, Faraday cages can be used to block the transmission of signals from a key fob to the car. Other defenses include engraving the last seven digits from your vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the windows, headlights and mirrors to prevent the resale or reuse of your vehicle.

Theft of VIN

While keyless entry is great for convenience but it also opens up new opportunities for criminals to steal vehicles. Your car will unlock doors and start the engine when it recognizes the signal sent by your wireless remote or key fob. If the signal isn't recognized, your car will still lock, but it will not start. You must hold the key in order to start the starter.

This is why it's essential to keep your key fob and remote out of view, even when your car is in a parking spot. A criminal could use a tiny transmitter to intercept your signal and steal it. Then, he's able to unlock your door and drive away without ever having to touch the actual ignition or key.

Criminals may even change 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. The thieves usually purchase damaged vehicles at auction or from the police department and then alter the VIN. They then use the genuine VIN of a different make and model to get the new title and registration and then sell it to unsuspecting buyers.

The VIN is a well-known method to stop theft. There are several companies that provide kits to do this and in certain areas, the police department or AAA offers this service for free. It may be counterintuitive to believe that etching can deter thieves. After all it makes it more difficult for dealers to purchase your vehicle. A professional thief will avoid your vehicle because they know that etching is a significant obstacle to their pursuit.

The NICB provides a free VINCheck online service to determine if your car was ever reported as stolen or salvaged, but was not yet recovered. The service requires an authentic VIN to conduct a search. It is accessible on their website. There are also a variety of crime-deterring devices for your car. These include audible and visual devices that discourage criminals. Some of these include the locks on your steering wheel, alarms and window etching.