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Keyless Entry and Car Theft

Car theft is on the rise, and thieves have found new ways to enter vehicles. Keyless entry is among the most popular methods.

The days of taking cars away by breaking windows and wiring them over. They can now hack the computers of a vehicle in minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction of technology called Push-to-Start millions of motorists have enjoyed the convenience of being able to start their car without reaching for keys. Unfortunately, the same convenience also makes vehicles more susceptible to theft. The relay attack is a brand new method that thieves can employ to steal cars within seconds. This method makes use of an instrument to capture and amplify the signal from the key fob of your car, allowing thieves to unlock and drive away.

Relay attacks are a variation of an older technique called Man-in-the-Middle Attacks. This type of attack is used in cybersecurity to intercept and alter the exchange of information between two parties without either party being aware of it. In a relay attack, the attacker employs an electronic device to capture and transmit the signal from the key fob of your car to another device in the vicinity. This second device will open the door and begin the engine of your car in a matter of seconds.

Criminals can perform a relay attack by using a simple and easily available device to capture the signal from an electronic 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 home. The thief waves the device in the direction of the home of the victim, and then tricks the car into believing that the key is nearby.

Some experts suggest storing your key fob in a metal container, signal-blocking pouch, or Faraday bag when not in use to avoid this kind of theft. But this is a basic solution that has been proved to be ineffective against modern relay devices. The best option is to purchase a steering wheel lock, which physically blocks the criminal's ability to steer the vehicle once it's stolen.

Many car makers have attempted to resolve 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 created devices that can defeat these measures. The race is on to find a solution for relay crime that does not compromise the convenience of keyless technology.

Hacking

Many new cars come with keyless entry systems that permit drivers to start and open their vehicle without having to use any physical button or key. These systems are vulnerable to a new kind of theft. Thieves could employ electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and transmit it to a transmitter held by an accomplice standing close to the vehicle. The criminal then unlocks the vehicle and takes off. According to AAA, this method is known as a relay attack. It can be completed in 20 to 30 second.

In most cases, thieves make use of inexpensive devices that mimic wireless key fob signals in order to capture the signal and transmit it to an accomplice. Then, when a victim clicks their key fob to unlock or start the vehicle, the thief could pretend to be the owner of the car by transmitting a response to the car's system that makes it believe that a legitimate signal is being sent from the fob.

More sophisticated thieves have created devices that can be connected into a car's On Board Diagnostics (OBD) port which is typically located under the steering wheel and allows mechanics to connect a diagnostic tool. The criminal can download data from the car's computers and create an unlocked key fob that is compatible with the specifications of the car. Nearly all cars are vulnerable what to do if your car keys get stolen this type of hacking.

Some criminals have even used TikTok challenges to teach people how to make inexpensive amplifiers that increase the signal from a key fob and allow an accomplice to unlock the car from a distance while it's in the driveway. This has led to manufacturers like Kia to issue software updates that eliminate the vulnerability.

Experts recommend keeping your car keys away from your home, and even in the trunk, so that a thief has a harder getting access to them. You can also invest in RFID pouches that shield the signal and deter the use of your keys in a non-approved way. These pouches can be bought for less than $10. Some have metal mesh linings. Similar to your phone or computer it is essential to keep the software on your car up-to-date.

Radio Frequency Identification Cards

The latest car key fobs communicate with vehicles via radio signals, allowing owners of the cars to open and start their vehicles without touching keys. Unfortunately, these new technologies are also increasing the risk of theft. The signal from a keyfob could be recorded if the fob is placed on a desk near the front door or in a wallet. They can then clone it with simple devices called emulators, that are the size of handheld consoles. Once they have it, they can open the car and drive it away in just a few minutes.

Typically, crooks operate in pairs. The crooks typically work in pairs. One will be outside your home with a relay amplifier and the other will have the device that records a signal from the keyfob. The thieves will then amplify the signal to make it strong enough to be able to bypass security systems in your car stolen with keys from house.

Another strategy is to block the communication between the key fob and the my car was stolen with the keys in it. The thieves employ signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as a key fob. This jams the signal and prevents it from being recognized by the car. The lock button will not work.

Auto dealers must be vigilant to protect their inventory from theft as thieves become more sophisticated. Dealerships should put up high-security perimeter fences with cameras and secure entrances, so that thieves cannot drive flatbeds on cars after hours. They must also train their employees on proper handling of keys, such as locking cars securely and storing keys in a safe place when not in use.

Technology can help stop car thefts and fight the new thieves. For instance, certain car manufacturers are developing key fobs that incorporate active RFID chips with frequency-hopping technology to make it more difficult for thieves to amplify the signal from the key. Additionally, Faraday cages can be used to block the transmission of signals from a key fob to a car. Other defenses include engraving the last seven digits of 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 access is great for convenience but it also opens up new opportunities for thieves to rob vehicles. Your car will open the doors and start the engine if it recognises the signal sent by your wireless key fob or remote. However, if the signal isn't recognized the car will be locked, but it will not start. You must hold the key to activate the starter.

This is why it's essential to keep your remote and key fob out of view even when your car stolen keyless entry is in a parking spot. Criminals can steal your signal using a small transmitter. Then, he's able to unlock your door and drive off without ever having to touch the actual key or ignition.

Criminals may even change the VIN and title of a stolen key fob car to conceal their involvement. This practice is referred to as VIN switching and is on the rise. Typically, criminals purchase damaged vehicles through auctions or police departments and then change the VIN. They then use the legal VIN of a different brand and model to get a new title and registration and then sell it to unsuspecting buyers.

A popular method of deterring theft is to have your VIN written into the glass of your car. There are several companies that offer kits for this, and in some areas, the police department or AAA offers this service for no cost. It may be strange to believe that etching can discourage thieves. In the end it makes it difficult for dealers to buy your car. But, a professional thief is aware that etching is an important stumbling block and will probably stop them from the theft of your vehicle.

The NICB provides a free VINCheck online service to find out if your vehicle has ever been reported as stolen or salvaged but not yet recovered. The service requires an authentic VIN to conduct a search and is available through their website. Additionally, a vast variety of crime-deterring products are available for your vehicle as well as visible and audible devices that serve as a deterrent for criminals. These include steering wheel locks and alarms as well as window etching.