Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry

If car owners place their keys on the table or at their doors, they could unknowingly allow thieves to hijack their signal. This relay attack is one of the high-tech methods criminals are employing to steal new keys from cars.

All keyless ignition vehicles emit a low-power radio signal to locate the fob that matches. If the signal is captured and recreated, it could be used unlock the car and to start it.

Relay Attack

Imagine your car safely in your driveway, and your key fob in your home. You're confident that your vehicle is secure, but unseen by you sophisticated thieves are planning a heist. Instead of breaking windows or jimmying locks, these thieves are using technology to hack into vehicles using digital chinks in their armor. This method of stealing vehicles with keyless access is called relay theft.

Cars with keyless entry are designed to operate via signals that are transmitted by the car's remote control (RF) transmitter to the owner's key fob. To prevent keyless entry by unauthorised persons the RF transmitters on the key fob and the car are programmed to turn on when they are within a specified distance from one another. However, thieves can bypass this restriction by using a technique known as the relay-attack.

To do so two people work in tandem: one stands by the car with the device that captures an electronic version of the key fob's signal. The other, who is at home with the owner is using a second device to transmit the signal from the key fob back to the car. This trickery tricks the car into believing the key fob has reached a distance sufficient to allow it to be opened and started the vehicle.

In the past, this type of heist required expensive equipment in order to execute. You can now buy a cheap relay transmitter online and pull off a heist within minutes. This is the reason it's well-liked by car thieves.

All modern cars with keys are at risk. Some cars are more vulnerable to this type than others. In fact, researchers have tested 237 popular vehicles and found that they could all be stolen using this method.

Tesla vehicles are believed to be less prone to this kind of theft. However, the company hasn't yet implemented UWB technology to allow it to perform distance checks and stop attacks via relay. The company has said that they'll implement this in the future but until then they are vulnerable. Installing an anti-theft device that safeguards your car and your keys against these types of attacks is a proactive way to ensure your car's security.

CAN Injection Attack

Modern cars are designed to shield themselves from theft by exchanging cryptographic messages with the key to prove it's genuine. This method is generally thought to be secure, but thieves have found a way to circumvent it. They can impersonate the smart key and send other messages to the vehicle letting it unlock the doors, turn off its engine immobilizer, and then go on their way. To do that, they get access to the smart key's internal communications network.

The majority of cars today are fitted with between 20 and 200 electronic control units, also known as ECUs, that manage various aspects of the vehicle's operation. They communicate with one another using the CAN bus. To reduce power consumption, these ECUs go into sleep mode with low power that is activated when they receive a wake up' frame. These frames are typically sent by the ECU that controls the smart key or door. However the messages aren't usually authenticated or encrypted so they could be snatched by criminals who have a low-cost and basic device.

To accomplish this, they must look for a location that allows them to connect directly to the CAN bus connector wires. They usually are hidden in the headlights, or in other locations in the front of the vehicle. To gain access to them, you need to remove the bumper and cut holes in the headlamp assemblies. The criminals then employ a device known as an CAN injection attacker, which is used to send fake messages which fool the security systems of the car to unlock it and disable the engine immobilizer.

The devices are available for sale on the Dark Web, and work for all major car makers, including BMW, Cadillac, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen, Maserati, and many more. Researchers who have discovered the CAN Injection attack recommend that all car makers address this issue in their existing models. However, these thieves will continue taking any opportunity they can. The best thing we can do is make an effort to prevent this from happening by putting in mechanical security measures like Discloks on all our vehicles and ensuring that they are always parked in well-lit areas that are clearly visible to people passing by.

Jamming the Signal

In a different variant of the relay attack, thieves get more info may make use of a device to block the signal from the key fob when the car is locked. The device could be found in the pocket or hidden where a burglar is hiding on a parking lot, or even near the driveway that is being targeted. The owners don't know if the vehicle is locked after pressing the lock button. Instead, thieves can escape with the vehicle because the signal that normally locks the car is blocked by the crook's device.

They also make use of devices that amplify signals from the key fob to unlock vehicles. The crooks can do this even if the key is in the driver's pocket, or hanging from a hook inside the home. Once the car is unlocked, they can use the standard diagnostic port or computer hacker to program a blank key fob and gain control of the vehicle.

Car manufacturers have come up with various anti-theft devices to protect against these types of attacks. However, thieves will always come up with new ways to beat these measures.

For instance, they've begun using devices that transmit on the same frequency as remote key fobs to intercept their signals. The crooks then copy the unlock code from the key fob and begin the vehicle with this fake signal.

This method is very popular in the US and Europe where many vehicles are sold with wireless technology that lets owners unlock and start their vehicle by using a mobile application from their phones. This technology is expected to become more popular as more and more car manufacturers attempt to link their vehicles to owners' smartphones.

In addition to incorporating anti-theft technology in vehicles, it's vital for drivers to follow the best practices when they park their vehicles. It is not advisable to leave the keys in ignition and always lock the car when they are not in it. If possible it is also recommended to use a gearstick lock or steering device. It is also recommended to think about fitting a tracking device to their vehicle in the event that it is stolen.

Flat Battery

This kind of attack is more common than most people realize. Thieves employ inexpensive devices to extend the signal from your key fob to open and start the car, even if it's turned off. They then simply drive the car around the corner or onto a trailer to take off with it. Installing a starter circuit interruption switch will protect your vehicle from this. Simpler versions come with an ON/OFF button that shuts off the circuit. It costs around $15 and is simple to install.

Car thieves are constantly searching for new ways to rob vehicles. The police, car makers and insurance companies are constantly trying to keep up to their tactics and develop better anti-theft systems for modern vehicles. However, this isn't stopping thieves who be quick to adapt and find ways to bypass the latest anti-theft technology.

For instance, a lot of thieves use devices that operate on the same frequency as the fob to block the signal. They put the device in their pocket or near their vehicle, and it stops the fob's lock command from reaching the car which leaves the vehicle unlocked. This can be done within minutes. The device is affordable and available on the internet.

Hacking the computer system of the car is an alternative option. This is more difficult but nevertheless feasible. Hackers have created devices that connect to the diagnostic port of all vehicles and permit them to connect to the software. They can then program a blank fob to function. This is also possible on older vehicles, however it is more difficult to do without taking off the ignition lock.

This method could become more popular if more vehicles are connected with drivers' phones. Once a burglar has access to the username and password to a vehicle application they can open or start the vehicle by using the app. You can guard yourself by not leaving valuables inside your car, and parking in garages.