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Keyless Entry and Car Theft

The number of vehicle thefts is increasing and thieves are discovering 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 hotwired cars to steal them. Now they can hack into a vehicle's computer systems within minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction of technology called Push-to-Start millions of motorists have benefited from having the ability to start their car without reaching for a key. However, this same convenience also makes vehicles more vulnerable to theft. In particular thieves have been able utilize a technique that is called the relay attack to steal cars within seconds. This method uses an amplifier to amplify and capture the signal transmitted by your car's keyfob. It allows thieves to unlock the vehicle and drive off.

The relay attack is a variant of an older technique referred to as Man-in the-Middle attacks. This type of attack is employed in cybersecurity to disrupt and alter the communication between two entities without either party realizing it. In the scenario of a relay attack, the attacker employs a device to intercept the signal from the key fob in your car, then transmits that signal to another device that is nearby. This second device is able to open the door and begin the engine, effectively stealing your vehicle in seconds.

Criminals can carry out a relay attack by making use of a low-cost and readily available device to capture the signal from a key fob. Typically, thieves work in pairs. One person holds the relay amplifier, while the other stands outside near the house of the victim. The thief will then wave the device in front of the home of the victim, which tricks the car into thinking the key is in range and allows it to open and start.

To avoid this kind of theft, experts suggest that you store your key fob when not in use in a metal container or pouch. This is a straightforward but ineffective method 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 once it's stolen.

Many car makers have attempted to resolve this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems which use cryptographic methods with time-sensitive codes to defend against relay attacks. Criminals have developed devices that are able to defeat these measures. As a result, the race is on to find a solution to criminals who use relays without compromising the convenience of technology that is keyless.

Hacking

A lot of new cars come with keyless entry systems which let drivers open and start their car without the need of an actual key or button. But these systems can also be susceptible to a new kind of theft. The thieves could make use of electronic devices that replicate the signal of the key fob and transmit it to an accomplice holding an electronic transmitter near the vehicle. The thief then has the ability to unlock the vehicle and drive off. This is referred to as a relay attack and can be completed within 20 to 30 seconds according to AAA.

In most cases, thieves use inexpensive devices that mimic wireless key fob signals to collect the signal and send it to a accomplice. The thief then appears to be the owner of the car when the victim presses the key fob to start or lock the vehicle. They accomplish this by sending a message that appears to the car's computer as a genuine signal.

More sophisticated thieves have developed devices that can be plugged into the car's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, which is usually located under the steering wheel. It allows mechanics to connect an instrument for diagnostics. The criminal can download data from the car's computer and create a blank key fob that meets the specifications of the car. This type of hacking is possible with virtually all cars.

Some thieves have employed TikTok challenges to train people to create cheap amplifiers which boost the signal of a key fob, allowing an accomplice to open the door while it is parked in the driveway. This has prompted companies like Kia and Toyota to release software updates that block this vulnerability.

Experts recommend keeping your car keys stolen away from your home, even in the trunk so that thieves have a difficult getting access to the keys. You can also invest in RFID pouches that block the signal and prevent unauthorized use. These pouches can be bought for less than $10. Some come with metal mesh linings. It is also essential to keep your car's software current and up to current, just like you would on your smartphone and computer.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards

The most recent car key fobs use radio signals to communicate with the vehicle and allow owners to unlock their cars and even start them without having to touch a key. However, these new technologies are also increasing the risk of theft. Thieves are able to steal the signal from a key fob if it is placed on a table near the front door of the home or in a pocket and they can copy the signal with simple devices that are the size of handheld gaming consoles referred to as emulators. Once they have it, they can open the car stolen with keys and drive it away in just a few minutes.

The crooks typically work in pairs. The crooks typically operate in pairs. One will stand outside your home with a relay amplifier and the other will be equipped with a device that receives the signal from the keyfob. The crooks can then amplify the signal so that it is strong enough to evade your car's security system.

Another strategy is to block the communication between the key fob and the car. The thieves use signal jammers which emit the same radio frequency as the key fob. This jams the signal and blocks it from being detected by the vehicle. The lock button won't work.

As thieves become more sophisticated in their methods auto dealers must be vigilant in protecting their inventory. Dealerships should put up high-security perimeter fences, with cameras and secure entrances to ensure that thieves are unable to drive flatbeds and vehicles after hours. They should also educate employees on the proper handling of keys and lock vehicles securely and storing them in a safe location when they are not being used.

Technology can help stop car thefts and tackling the new thieves. Some car manufacturers are working on key fobs with active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology that makes it difficult for thieves to amplify the signal from the keys. Faraday cages are another way to block signals from a keyfob's to the car. Other defenses include etching last seven digits of your vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the headlights, windows and mirrors to prevent reuse or re-sale of your vehicle.

VIN Theft

Keyless entry is practical, but it opens up new opportunities for thieves to steal cars. When your car replace stolen car keys keyless entry (great post to read) recognises a signal sent from your wireless key or remote fob, it will open the door and start the engine. If the signal is not recognised, your vehicle will still be locked, but it will not start. This is because you have to have the key in your palm to press an appropriate button on the fob to activate the starter.

This is why it's important to keep your remote and key fob away from view, even when your car is stationed. A criminal can hijack your signal with a tiny transmitter. Then, he can unlock your door without touching the ignition or the key.

In some cases, criminals are even capable of swapping the vehicle's VIN and title to hide their involvement in the theft of the vehicle. This practice is referred to as VIN switching and is currently on increasing. The thieves usually purchase a damaged vehicle at auction or from the police department and alter the VIN. They then use the genuine VIN of a different make and model to get the new registration and title, and then sell it to people who are not aware.

A popular method of deterring theft is to have your VIN inscribed into your vehicle's glass. Many companies provide kits for this, and in some locations, the police department or AAA provides this service at no cost. It seems counterintuitive that etching would deter thieves since it makes your vehicle more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. A professional thief will avoid your car due to the fact that they know that etching is a major obstacle to their pursuit.

The NICB offers a no-cost VINCheck online tool to determine if your car has been reported stolen or salvaged, but has not yet recovered. The service is only available on their website and requires a valid VIN. There are also a variety of security equipment that can deter criminals in your car. They include audible and visual devices that discourage criminals. These include the locking of your steering wheel and alarms and window scratching.