The Most Successful Car Stolen Keyless Entry Gurus Are Doing 3 Things

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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 one of the most commonly used methods.

There is no longer a time when thieves broke windows and wired vehicles to steal. Now they can hack into the computer systems of vehicles in minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction of Push-to-Start technology, millions of drivers have enjoyed the convenience of having the ability to start their car without needing keys. However, this same convenience makes vehicles more susceptible to theft. In particular thieves have been able to use a new technique called the relay attack to steal cars in a matter of seconds. This method uses an instrument to capture and amplify the signal from your car's key fob, permitting thieves to unlock the car and then drive away.

The relay attack is actually a variant of an older method known as Man-in-the Middle attacks. This type of attack is utilized in cybersecurity to intercept and alter the communications between two entities without either party being aware of it. In a relay attack, the attacker uses an electronic device to capture and transmit the signal from the key fob in your car to another device located nearby. The second device can be used to open the door and start the engine, thereby stealing your vehicle in seconds.

In order to carry out an attack via relay criminals need only an affordable, easily accessible device that is able to pick up and amplify the signal coming from your key fob. Most often, thieves operate in pairs. One person holds the relay amplifier while the other stands outside near the victim’s house. The thief will then wave the device in the front of the house of the victim and tricks the car into thinking that the key is in range and allows it to open and start.

To prevent this type theft, some experts suggest that you keep your key fob whenever not being used in a metal container or pouch. This is a simple but ineffective solution against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a much superior option, since it physically prevents the thief from steering the vehicle after it was taken.

Many vehicle manufacturers have tried to address this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems, which use cryptographic methods and time-sensitive codes to protect against relay attacks. However criminals have managed to create devices that defy 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 does not require keys.

Hacking

Many new cars have keyless entry systems that allow drivers to start and open their car without any physical button or key. These systems are susceptible to a new kind of theft. Thieves may use electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob, and then transmit it to a transmitter held by a accomplice who is standing close to the car. The thief then unlocks the vehicle and takes off. This method is called relay attack. It can be completed in between 20 and 30 seconds according to AAA.

Thieves can often use inexpensive devices to mimic the wireless key fob signal to capture it and send it to an accomplice. When the victim clicks their key fob to lock or open the car, the criminal can pretend to be the legitimate owner by transmitting a response to the car's system, making it think a genuine signal is coming from the fob.

The more sophisticated thieves have designed devices that can plug into the On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD) which is located usually beneath the steering wheel. This port allows mechanics to connect diagnostic tools. The thief downloads the data from the computer of the car and creates a blank key fob matching the car's specifications. Nearly all cars are vulnerable to this type of hacking.

Some thieves have even used TikTok challenges to teach people how to create cheap amplifiers that boost the signal from the key fob, and permit an accomplice to unlock the vehicle from a distance, even though it's in the driveway. This technique has led manufacturers like Kia to release software updates that mitigate the vulnerability.

Experts recommend keeping your car keys farther away from home, and even in the trunk so that thieves have a difficult getting access to them. You can also buy RFID pouches to help shield the signal from unauthorised use. They can be purchased for just $10. Some come with metal mesh linings. Like your phone and computer it's essential to keep the software on your vehicle up-to date.

Radio Frequency Identification Cards

The most recent car key fobs connect to vehicles using radio signals, which allows owners of cars to unlock and start their cars without touching a key. However, these advanced technologies also increase the chance of theft. The signal from a keyfob's sensor can be captured if the fob is placed on a desk near the front door or in the wallet. It is then possible to copy it using simple devices known as emulators, which are the size of handheld consoles. From there, they can open the car and drive it away in just a few minutes.

Typically, crooks work in pairs. The crooks typically work in pairs. One of them will be outside of your house equipped with a relay amplifier and the other will be equipped with a device that records the signal of the keyfob. The thieves can then amplify the signal until it becomes strong enough to bypass the security systems in your vehicle.

Another method of securing key fobs is by blocking the communication between keyfob and the vehicle. The thieves do this using signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as the key fob. This confuses the signal, preventing it from being received by the car, which prevents the lock button from working.

As thieves become more sophisticated in their methods auto dealers must be on guard to protect their inventory. Dealerships should install high-security perimeter fencing that includes cameras and a secure entryway to ensure that thieves aren't able to drive in flatbeds and vehicles after hours. They should also educate employees on proper key handling practices and lock vehicles securely and keeping them in a secure location when they are not in use.

Technology is helping stop car thefts and tackling the new thieves. For instance, some automobile manufacturers are creating key fobs that use active RFID chips that incorporate frequency-hopping technology to make it more difficult for thieves to amplify the signal emanating from the key. Faraday cages are another method to block signals from a keyfob's signal to the car. Other defenses include engraving the last seven digits from your vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the headlights, windows, and mirrors in order to prevent the resale or reuse of your vehicle.

VIN Theft

Keyless entry is convenient, but it also opens up new opportunities for thieves to take vehicles. When your car recognises a signal sent from your wireless remote or key fob, it will unlock the door and start the engine. However, if the signal isn't detected by your car, it will be locked, but it won't start. You must hold the key to activate the starter.

Even when your vehicle is parked, it's crucial to keep the remote and key fob hidden. Criminals can use a small transmitter device to detect your signal and hijack it. Then, he's able to open your door and leave without ever having to touch the actual key or ignition.

In some cases criminals are capable of swapping a vehicle's VIN and title to conceal their involvement in the theft of the car. This practice is known as VIN switching and is on the rise. The thieves usually purchase a damaged vehicle through auctions or the police department and then change the VIN. They then use the genuine VIN of a different model and model to get a new title and registration and then sell it to uninitiated buyers.

A popular check here method of deterring theft is to have your VIN written into the windshield of your car. There are many companies that offer kits for this, and in certain areas, the police department or AAA offers this service for free. It is a bit counterintuitive to think that etching could deter thieves since it makes your car difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. But, a professional thief is aware that etching is a significant stumbling block and will probably deter them from taking your car.

The NICB also offers a no-cost VINCheck online service that will determine whether your vehicle has been reported as a salvaged or stolen but has not yet been recovered. The service is available only on their website and requires an authentic VIN. There are also a range of security devices that deter criminals from your vehicle. They include audible and visual devices that discourage criminals. These include alarms and locks for the steering wheel as well as window engraving.