10 Unexpected Car Stolen Keyless Entry Tips

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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 common methods.

There is no longer a time when thieves broke windows and hotwired cars to steal them. Today, they can hack a vehicle's computer systems within minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction of Push-to-Start technology millions of drivers have enjoyed the convenience of being able to start their vehicle without having to reach for keys. Unfortunately, this same convenience makes vehicles more vulnerable. The relay attack is a brand new method that thieves can employ to steal cars in a matter of minutes. This technique makes use of an amplifier to record and amplify the signal sent by the key fob of your car. It allows thieves to unlock the car and drive off.

Relay attacks are a variation of an older technique called Man-in the-Middle Attacks. This type of attack is used in cybersecurity to disrupt and alter the exchange of information between two parties without either party realizing it. In the scenario of a relay attack, the attacker uses a device to capture the signal from your car's key fob, then transmits that signal to another device located close to. The second device is able to open the door and start your car's engine in just a few seconds.

Criminals can carry out an attack making use of a low-cost and readily available device to pick up the signal from the key fob. Usually, thieves work in pairs, with one holding the relay amplifier, and the other person standing outside close to the house of the victim. The thief waves the device towards the home of the victim, luring the car into thinking that the key is nearby.

Some experts suggest storing your key fob in a metal container, signal-blocking pouch, or Faraday bag when it is not in use to stop this kind of theft. This is a straightforward but ineffective solution against modern relay devices. A far better option is to purchase a steering wheel lock, that physically blocks the thief's ability to steer the vehicle after it is stolen.

Many car manufacturers have attempted to tackle this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems, which use encryption techniques and time-sensitive codes in order to protect against relay attacks. However, criminals have been able to create devices that can defeat these measures. As a result, the race is on to find a solution to relay crime while preserving the convenient nature of keyless technology.

Hacking

Many new cars are fitted with keyless entry systems which let drivers open and start their vehicle without the need for an actual key or button. However, these systems can be vulnerable to a new type of theft. Thieves can use electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob, and then transmit it to a transmitter that is held by an accomplice standing near to the car. The thief then unlocks the vehicle and is able to drive away. This is known as relay attack and can be done in 20 to 30 seconds, according to AAA.

Often, thieves can use inexpensive devices that mimic wireless key fob signals in order to capture the signal and relay it to a third party. The thief will then appear to be the owner of the car when the victim presses the key fob to begin or close the vehicle. They do this by sending a response that appears to the car's system as authentic signal.

The more sophisticated thieves have created devices that connect to the On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD) which is typically located beneath the steering wheel. This port allows mechanics to connect diagnostic tools. The thief can then download data from the car's computer and create an empty key fob that matches the car's specifications. Almost all vehicles are vulnerable to this kind of hacking.

Some thieves have utilized TikTok challenges as a way to teach people to make cheap amplifiers that increase the signal from the key fob, making it possible for an accomplice unlock the car while it is parked 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 a place further away from home, so that a burglar isn't able to easily access the keys. You can also purchase RFID pouches to protect the signal from misuse. Some of these pouches come with metal mesh linings and are available at a low cost of around $10. Like your computer and phone it's essential to keep the software on your car up-to-date.

Radio Frequency Identification Cards

The most recent car key fobs communicate with vehicles via radio signals, which allows owners of cars to open and start their cars without touching the key. However, these new technologies also increase the chance of theft. Thieves can capture the signal from a key fob, if it is placed on a table near the front door of the house or in a pocket and they are able to duplicate the signal with simple devices that are similar to handheld gaming consoles, also known as emulators. They can then open the car in minutes and drive away.

Typically, crooks work in pairs. One will be outside your home, holding website a relay amplifier, and the other will hold the device that records the signal from the key fob. The criminals will then amplify the signal so that it is strong enough to disable your car's security system.

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

Dealers of automobiles must be vigilant to protect their inventory from theft as thieves become more sophisticated. Dealerships need to implement high-security perimeter fencing, with cameras and a secure entrance so that thieves can't drive on flatbeds with vehicles after hours. They must also train their employees on proper handling of keys, which includes locking cars securely and storing them safely when not in use.

Fortunately, technology can help stop car thefts and combat these new thieves. For instance, some car makers are developing key fobs with active RFID chips with frequency-hopping technology to make it harder for thieves to amplify the signal from the key. Faraday cages are another method to stop signals from a keyfob's to the vehicle. Other options include etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the headlights, windows, and mirrors to prevent re-sale or re-use of your vehicle.

VIN Theft

Keyless entry is convenient, but it also opens up new possibilities for thieves to steal vehicles. If your car detects the signal that is sent by your wireless remote or key fob, it will unlock the door and start the engine. If the signal isn't recognised, your car will still lock, but it will not start. You must hold the key to turn on the starter.

This is why it's essential to keep your remote and key fob out of view, even when your car is in a parking spot. A criminal could steal your signal by using a tiny transmitter. Then, he is able to open your door and leave without ever touching the actual physical ignition or key.

Criminals are even able to swap out the VIN and the title of a stolen vehicle to conceal their involvement. This is known as VIN switching and is currently on increasing. The thieves will usually buy a damaged vehicle at an auction or from the police department, and then change the VIN. They then use a legitimate VIN from another model and the purchase of a brand new registration and title, and then sell the car to unwitting buyers.

The VIN is a well-known method to deter theft. Many companies offer kits for this, and in some areas, the police department or AAA provides this service at no cost. It might seem counterintuitive to think that etching could deter thieves. In the end it makes it more difficult for dealers to buy your vehicle. A professional thief will avoid your car due to the fact that they know that etching is a significant stumbling-block.

The NICB offers a no-cost VINCheck online service that will determine if your car has ever been reported as stolen or salvaged but not yet recovered. The service is only available on their website and requires an authentic VIN. There are also a variety of security equipment that can deter criminals in your car. These include audible and visual devices that deter criminals. Some of them include the locking of your steering wheel as well as alarms and window etching.