A Step-By-Step Guide To Choosing Your Car Stolen Keyless Entry

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Keyless Entry and Car Theft

Car theft is on the rise and thieves have found new ways to gain access to vehicles. One of the most common methods is keyless entry.

Gone are the days when thieves broke windows and wired cars to steal. They can now hack into the computer systems of vehicles in minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction of technology called Push-to-Start millions of motorists have enjoyed the convenience of having the ability to start their car without reaching for a key. However, this convenience makes vehicles more vulnerable to theft. Particularly the past, thieves have been able to utilize a technique that is called the relay attack to steal cars in a matter of seconds. This method makes use of devices that capture and amplify the signal that is sent through the key fob of your car, allowing thieves to unlock and then drive away.

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

To perform an attack using relays, criminals simply need a cheap, readily available device that can 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 is outside in front of the victim’s house. The thief swizzles the device in the direction of the victim's home, tricking the car into thinking the key is close by.

Some experts suggest keeping your key fob in a metal container, signal-blocking pouch or Faraday bag when it is not in use to prevent this kind of theft. This is a basic 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's been stolen.

Many car manufacturers have tried to solve this problem by introducing features, such as secure keyless entry systems which employ cryptographic techniques with time-sensitive codes to defend against relay attacks. However criminals have managed to create devices that can defeat these measures. This is why the race is on to find a way to combat criminals who use relays without compromising the convenient nature of keyless technology.

Hacking

A lot of new cars come with keyless entry systems that allow users to open and start their vehicle without using any physical button or key. However, these systems could be susceptible to a new kind of theft. Thieves may utilize electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and send it to a transmitter carried by an accomplice standing close to the car. The person who stole the car then unlocks it and drives away. According to AAA the method is referred to as a relay attack. It can be completed in between 20 and 30 seconds.

Often, thieves can make use of inexpensive devices that mimic wireless key fob signals to collect the signal and relay it to a third party. The thief can then pretend to be the owner of the car when the victim presses the key fob button to start or close the vehicle. They accomplish this by sending a signal that appears to the car's computer as an authentic signal.

More sophisticated thieves have developed devices that can be connected into a car's On Board Diagnostics (OBD) port that is usually located beneath the steering wheel. This port allows mechanics to connect a diagnostic tool. The thief then downloads data from the computer of the car and creates an unlocked key fob that matches the specifications of the car. This type of hacking is possible on nearly all vehicles.

Some criminals have even used TikTok challenges to teach people how to make cheap amplifiers that boost the signal of an electronic key fob. They also allow an accomplice to unlock the vehicle from a distance, even though it's in the driveway. This technique has led manufacturers like Kia to issue software updates that eliminate the vulnerability.

Experts recommend keeping your car keys away from home, and even in the trunk, so that thieves have a difficult time accessing the keys. You can also purchase RFID pouches that help protect the signal from unauthorized use. Some of these pouches feature mesh linings made of metal, and can be purchased on the low end for about $10. Similar to your phone or computer it is essential to keep the software on your vehicle up-to date.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards

The latest car key fobs use radio signals to communicate with the vehicle, allowing owners to unlock their cars and even start them without having to touch the key. Unfortunately, these new technologies are also increasing the possibility of theft. Thieves can steal the signal from a key fob if it is placed on a table near the front door of the home or in a pocket, and they are able to duplicate the signal using simple devices that are the size of handheld gaming consoles, also known as emulators. They can then open the car in a matter of minutes and drive off.

The crooks typically operate in pairs. One will stand outside your house holding a relay amplifier, and the other one will hold the device that records the signal from a key fob. The thieves can then amplify the signal until it becomes strong enough to evade security systems in your car.

Another popular tactic is to block the communication between the key fob and the car. Thieves do this by using signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as the key fob. This muddles the signal, which prevents it from being received by the car, thereby preventing the lock button from working.

Dealers in the auto industry must be on guard to guard their inventory from theft as thieves become more sophisticated. Dealerships need to implement high-security perimeter fencing, with cameras and a secure entrance to ensure that thieves aren't able to drive on flatbeds with vehicles after hours. They should also educate employees on the proper handling of keys and lock vehicles securely and placing them in a secure location when not in use.

Fortunately, technology is helping stop car thefts and fight these new thieves. Certain car makers are creating key fobs with active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology, which makes it harder for thieves to amplify the signal of the keys. In addition, Faraday cages can be used to block the transmission of signals from a key fob to a car. Other defenses include etching last seven digits of your vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the headlights, windows, and mirrors to stop sale or reuse of your vehicle.

Theft of VIN

Keyless entry is practical, but it opens up new possibilities for thieves to steal cars. When your car recognises the signal that is sent by your wireless remote or key fob, it will unlock the door and start the engine. If the signal is not acknowledged, the vehicle will lock, but it will not start. This is because you have to hold the key in your hands to press an appropriate button on the fob in order to activate the starter.

Even when your car is parked, it's crucial to keep the remote and key fob hidden. A criminal can hijack your signal by using a tiny transmitter. He will then be able to open your door without touching the ignition or key.

In certain instances criminals may be capable of swapping a vehicle's VIN and title to conceal their involvement in here the theft of the vehicle. This technique, referred to as VIN-switching, is currently on increasing. The thieves usually purchase damaged vehicles at an auction or from the police department and change the VIN. They then use a legitimate VIN from a different model and make to obtain a brand new registration and title, and then sell the vehicle to unwitting buyers.

The VIN is a very popular method to deter theft. There are several companies that offer kits for this, and in certain areas, the police department or AAA provides this service for free. It seems counterintuitive that etching would discourage thieves, since it makes your vehicle more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. However, a professional thief knows that etching will be a significant stumbling block and will likely avoid taking your car.

The NICB also offers a no-cost VINCheck online service that will determine whether your vehicle has been reported as salvaged or stolen but has not yet been recovered. The service requires an authentic VIN to conduct a search and is accessible via their website. There are also a variety of security devices that deter criminals from your vehicle. These include audible and visual devices that are able to deter criminals. These include alarms and locks for the steering wheel, as well as window scratching.