Keyless Entry and Car Theft

The number of car burglaries is rising and thieves are discovering new ways to get into vehicles. One of the most common methods is keyless entry.

There is no longer a time when thieves smashed windows and hotwired vehicles to steal. They are now able to hack the computer systems of vehicles in a matter of minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction to the Push-to Start technology, millions of people have been able to be capable to start their vehicles without having to search for keys to their car. However, this convenience makes vehicles more vulnerable to theft. The relay attack is a novel technique that thieves use to steal cars within minutes. This method uses an amplifier to capture and amplify the signal generated by the car's keyfob. It allows thieves to unlock the car and then drive away.

The relay attack is actually a variant of an older technique referred to as Man-in-the Middle attacks. This kind of attack can be used in cybersecurity to intercept communications between two entities and alter it without not knowing. In a relay attack, the attacker uses an electronic device to record and transmit the signal from the key fob in your car to another device nearby. This second device can open the door and begin the engine of your car in a matter of minutes.

Criminals can perform a relay attack by making use of a low-cost and readily available device to capture the signal from a key fob. Most often, thieves operate in pairs. One person will hold the relay amplifier, while another is outside, near the victim’s house. The thief wave the device in the direction of the victim's home, tricking the car into thinking the key is in close proximity.

Some experts recommend storing your key fob in a metallic container, signal-blocking pouch, or Faraday bag when it is not in use to stop this kind of theft. But this is a basic solution that has been shown to be ineffective against modern relay devices. The best option is to invest in the use of 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 solve this problem by introducing features, such as secure keyless entry systems which use cryptographic methods with time-sensitive codes in order to protect against relay attacks. However criminals have been able to develop devices that defeat these measures. The race is now on to find a solution for the problem of relay crime that does not interfere with the security of technology that is keyless.

Hacking

Many new cars stolen with keyless entry come with keyless entry systems that permit drivers to start and open their vehicle without having to use the use of a key or button. However, these systems could be susceptible to a different type of theft. The thieves may employ electronic devices that copy the signal of the key fob and then transmit it to a accomplice holding a transmitter close to the vehicle. The thief then has the ability to unlock the vehicle and then drive away. This method is called a relay attack and can be completed within 20 to 30 seconds, according to AAA.

Thieves often employ cheap devices to imitate wireless key fob signal to capture it and send it to an accomplice. The thief can then pretend to be the owner of the car when the victim presses the key fob to start or lock the vehicle. They do this by sending a response that appears to the car stolen lost spare key's computer as authentic signal.

More sophisticated thieves have developed devices that plug into the car's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port that is usually situated under the steering wheel. It allows mechanics to connect an instrument for diagnostics. The criminal then downloads information from the computer of the my car was Stolen with the keys in it and creates an empty key fob that is compatible with the specifications of the car. Nearly all cars are vulnerable to this kind of hacking.

Some thieves have even made use of TikTok challenges to teach people how to create inexpensive amplifiers that enhance the signal from an electronic key fob. They also allow an accomplice to unlock the car from a distance, even though it's in the driveway. This method has led companies like Kia to release software updates that mitigate the vulnerability.

Experts recommend that you keep your car keys in a trunk or location that is further away from your home, so that a burglar isn't able to easily access them. You can also buy RFID pouches to protect the signal from unauthorized use. These pouches can be bought for just $10. Some have metal mesh linings. It is also essential to keep your car's software up to current, just like you would with your computer and phone.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards

The most recent car key fobs make use of radio signals to communicate with the vehicle and allow owners to unlock their cars and even start them without having to touch the key. These new technologies increase the chance of theft. Thieves can steal the signal from a key fob if it is left on a table close to the front door of the house or in a pocket, and they can clone the signal using devices the size of handheld gaming consoles called emulators. They can then open the car in a matter of minutes and drive away.

Typically, crooks operate in pairs. One will be outside your house holding a relay amplifier, and the other will hold the device that collects the signal from a key fob. The crooks can then amplify the signal until it is strong enough to evade your car's security systems.

Another method is to block communication between the key fob and the car. Thieves do this by using signal jammers that emit the same radio frequencies as a key fob. This confuses the signal, preventing it from being interpreted by the car, thereby preventing the lock button from functioning.

Auto dealers must be vigilant to protect their inventory as thieves become more sophisticated. Dealerships must install high-security perimeter fencing with cameras and a secure entrance to prevent thieves from driving in flatbeds with vehicles after hours. They should also instruct employees on proper key handling practices that include locking vehicles securely and keeping them in a secure location when not being used.

Fortunately, technology can help stop car thefts and fight the new thieves. Some car manufacturers are working on key fobs that have active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology that makes it harder for thieves to amplify the signal from the keys. Faraday cages are a different way to prevent signals from a keyfob to the car. Other defences include etching the last seven digits of your vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the headlights, windows and mirrors to prevent the sale or reuse of your vehicle.

VIN Theft

Keyless entry is useful, but it also opens up new possibilities for thieves to steal cars. Your car will open the doors and start its engine when it detects the signal transmitted by your wireless key fob or remote. If the signal isn't recognized, your car will still lock, but it won't start. You need to hold the key to turn on the starter.

This is why it's important to keep your remote and key fob out of view, even when your car is parked. A criminal can use a small transmitter to intercept your signal and then steal it. Then, he can open your door and drive away without ever touching the actual physical ignition or key.

In certain instances, criminals are even capable of swapping out a vehicle's VIN and title to conceal their involvement in the stolen key fob car. This technique, referred to as VIN-switching is on increasing. The thieves will usually buy damaged vehicles at an auction or from the police department and then alter the VIN. They then use the genuine VIN of a different brand and model to obtain an updated registration and title, and then sell it to uninitiated buyers.

A popular method of deterring theft is to have your VIN inscribed into your vehicle's glass. Many companies offer kits for this, and in certain locations, the police department or AAA offers this service at no cost. It's a bit odd that etching can deter thieves since it makes your vehicle more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. Professional thieves will stay away from your vehicle because they know that etching is a major obstacle to their pursuit.

The NICB also offers a no-cost VINCheck online service that will determine whether your vehicle has been reported as salvaged or stolen and is not yet recovered. The service is only available on their website and requires the use of a valid VIN. In addition, a wide variety of crime-deterring products are available for your car, including audible and visible devices that act as a deterrent to criminals. These include alarms and locks for the steering wheel and window engraving.