5 Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry Tips From The Professionals
5 Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry Tips From The Professionals
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Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry
Car owners who toss keys on tables or near their front doors could be permitting thieves to steal the signal. This relay attack is one of the high-tech methods criminals are using to steal brand new keyless vehicles.
Keyless ignition cars emit an extremely low-power radio signal, in search of a fob to respond. If the signal can be recorded and recreated, it could be used unlock the car and to start it.
Relay Attack
Imagine your car being parked safely in the driveway, and the key fob safely inside your home. You might think that your vehicle is secure but sophisticated thieves are planning a heist without you being aware. These thieves use technology to snoop on vehicles through digital chinks. Known as relay theft, it's an increasingly common way to steal cars that have keyless entry.
Keyless entry cars are designed to operate via a signal that is transmitted from the car's remote control (RF) transmitter to the owner's key fob. To prevent unauthorized keyless entry, the RF transmitters in the key fob as well as in the car are programmed to only activate when they're within a certain distance from one another. However, thieves can bypass this restriction by using a technique known as the "relay-attack".
Two people are required to complete this: one person stands close to the car and uses a device that captures digitally the signal from the key fob. The other, standing by the house of the owner and using a second device to send the key fob's signal down to the car. This trickery fools the car into thinking the key fob is close enough to be able to unlock it and start the engine.
This type of heist used to require expensive equipment. But now, you can buy relay transmitters for inexpensive online market and carry out an heist in a matter of minutes. This is why it's so well-liked by car thieves.
All modern vehicles that have keyless access are at risk. Certain cars are more vulnerable to this kind of attack than others. In fact researchers have examined 237 popular vehicles and found that they can be targeted by this method.
Tesla cars are said to be less susceptible to this type of theft, however the company has not yet implemented UWB features to effectively conduct distance checks on the car's signal and protect against relay attacks. The company has said that they will implement this in the near future, however until then, they are vulnerable. That is why it's important to adopt a proactive approach to your security in your car and install an anti-theft tool that protects your keys and vehicle from these kinds of attacks.
CAN Injection Attack
Modern vehicles are designed to protect themselves from theft by exchanging cryptographic messages with the key to prove that it's genuine. This method is generally thought to be secure, however thieves have found a way to circumvent it. They impersonate a smart key, transmit messages to the vehicle, and then drive off. To do this they have access to the smart key's internal communication network.
Today, most cars are equipped with between 20 and 200 electronic control units, also known as ECUs, that control different aspects of the vehicle's operation. They communicate via an electronic network known as CAN bus. These ECUs enter a low power sleep mode to lower their power consumption. This mode is activated when the ECUs receive an "wake up" frame. These frames typically come from the door or smart key receiver ECU. These messages are not always encrypted or authenticated. This means that criminals can intercept them with a simple and cheap device.
They look for a place where they can connect directly to the CAN connection wires. They are usually hidden in the headlights, or in other places in the front of the vehicle. To get them, you need to remove the bumper and make holes in the headlamp assemblies. The criminals more info then use a device called an CAN injection attacker, which is used to send fake messages which trick the car's security systems to unlock it and disable its engine immobilizer.
These devices are for sale on the Dark Web, and work for the majority of major car manufacturers including BMW, Cadillac, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen, Maserati, and many more. Researchers who discovered the CAN Injection attack recommend that all car manufacturers fix this issue in their existing models. However, the thieves will continue taking any opportunity they can. The best we can do is try and prevent this by installing mechanical security measures such as Discloks on all of cars, and making sure that they are always parked in well-lit areas that are clearly visible to passers-by.
Jamming the Signal
In a different variation of the relay attack, thieves could use a gadget to jam the signal sent from a key fob when the vehicle is locked. The device could be found in the pocket of a burglar in a parking lot or in a hidden spot near the driveway being targeted. When owners hit the button to lock their fobs, and then walk away, they don't think about whether or not the car is really is locked. Instead, thieves can escape with the vehicle since the signal that normally locks the car is blocked by the crook's device.
They also have devices that amplify signals from the key fob to unlock vehicles. They can even accomplish this if the key is in the pocket of the driver or hanging from its hook in the home. After the car is unlocked, hackers can use a standard diagnosis port to program a blank fob.
To safeguard against this kind of attack, car makers have come up with a range of anti-theft gadgets. However, criminals are constantly looking for ways to defeat these measures.
For example, they've started using devices that transmit on the same radio frequency as remote key fobs in order to intercept their signals. The thieves can then copy the unlock code of the key fob and start the car with this fake signal.
This method is particularly popular in the US and Europe where a large number of cars are sold with wireless technology that allows owners to unlock and start their vehicle using a mobile app on their smartphone. This technique is likely to increase in popularity as more car manufacturers attempt to link their cars with their owners phones.
It is essential that drivers use best practices to park their vehicles. They should never leave their key fobs in the ignition, should always ensure that the car is securely locked when they're not using it and should use a steering wheel or gearstick lock, if they can. They should also consider having a tracking device fitted to their car in case it's stolen.
Flat Battery
This kind of attack happens more often than people realize. Thieves employ inexpensive devices to extend the signal from your key fob to unlock and begin a car even when it's shut off. They then simply drive the car around the corner or even to a trailer and then drive off with it. Installing an interruption switch to the starter circuit will protect your vehicle from this. Simpler versions include an ON/OFF button that interrupts the circuit. It costs about $15 and is simple to install by yourself.
Car thieves are always looking for new ways to enter vehicles and take them away. Car manufacturers, police and insurance companies are always trying to stay on top of the latest methods and offer more effective anti-theft systems for modern vehicles. But this doesn't stop thieves who can adapt quickly and find ways around the most recent anti-theft measures.
For example, many criminals use devices that operate on the same radio frequency as the fob to jam the signal. They put the device in their pockets or near their vehicle, and it stops the fob's lock signal from reaching the car and thereby leaving it unlocked. This can be done within minutes. The device is affordable and easily available on the internet.
Another option is to hack into the car's computer system. This is more difficult but still possible. All cars have an diagnostic port, and hackers have created devices that plug into them and let them access the software in the car. They can then program the fob with blank code to function. It is possible to do this with older cars also but it's more difficult if you remove the ignition.
As more vehicles are connected to drivers' phones and this method could become more popular too. Once a thief has the username and password to an application for vehicles they can open or start the vehicle using the app. You can safeguard yourself by not leaving valuables in your car and also by parking in a garage.