Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry

If car owners throw their keys on the table or near their doors, they could unknowingly allow thieves to hijack their signal. This relay attack is a high-tech method used by criminals to steal keys from new vehicles.

Keyless ignition cars emit an extremely low-power radio signal, in search of a fob that can respond. If the signal is captured and recreated, it can be used to unlock the car and begin it up.

Relay Attack

Imagine your car parked in your driveway with your key fob in your home. You're confident that your vehicle is secure, but unseen by you sophisticated thieves are planning an attack. They use technology to hack into vehicles via digital chinks. This method of stealing cars that have keyless access is called relay theft.

Cars equipped with keyless entry are designed to function using a signal sent from the remote control (RF) transmitter to the owner's key fob. To ensure that keyless entry is not accessed by intruders the RF transmitters on the key fob and the car are programmed to activate when they are within a certain distance of each other. However, thieves can bypass this restriction by employing a technique called the "relay-attack".

To do so, two people work in tandem One stands near the car, using a device that captures a digitized version of the key fob's signal. The other, who is at the home of the owner, uses a second device to transmit the key fob's signal to the car. This trickery fools the car into thinking the key fob is near enough to be able to unlock it and begin the engine.

In the past, this kind of attack required expensive equipment to perform. You can now buy a relay transmitter for a small price on the internet and complete a heist within minutes. This is why it's so popular among car thieves.

All modern vehicles with keys are at risk. Some cars are more susceptible to this type of attack than others. In fact researchers have tested 237 popular cars and found that they can all be stolen car keys replacement using this method.

Tesla vehicles are believed to be less susceptible to this type of theft, however Tesla hasn't yet implemented UWB features that would effectively perform distance checks on the car's signal to stop relay attacks. The company has stated that they will implement this in the future but until then they are vulnerable. Installing an anti-theft device that protects both your car and your keys against such a threat is a proactive way to ensure your car's security.

CAN Injection Attack

Modern vehicles can defend themselves from thieves by exchanging encrypted messages with the key in order to confirm its authenticity. The system is thought to be secure, but thieves have found ways around it. They fake the identity of a smart key, transmit messages to the vehicle and then drive away. To do this, they gain access to the smart keys' internal communications network.

These days, most cars are fitted with between 20 and 200 electronic control units (or ECUs) which control different aspects of the car's operation. They communicate with each other using an electronic network referred to as CAN bus. To keep power consumption low the ECUs go into the sleep mode at low power. This mode is activated when they receive a wake up frame. These frames typically come via the door or smart key receiver ECU. However, these messages aren't always authenticated or encrypted and, therefore, can be intercepted by criminals using a cheap and simple device.

To accomplish this, they search for a spot that allows them to connect directly to the CAN bus wires. They are usually hidden in the headlights or in other areas of the front of the vehicle. To get them, you must remove the bumper and cut holes in the headlamp assemblies. The criminals then employ a device dubbed an CAN injection attacker to send out fake messages that can trick the car's security systems into unlocking the car and disengaging its engine immobilizer.

These devices are available for sale on the Dark Web, and work for the majority of major car makers including BMW, Cadillac, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen, Maserati, and more. Researchers who have discovered the CAN Injection attack recommend that all car makers address this issue in their existing models. However, these thieves will continue taking any opportunity they can. The best we can do is to attempt to stop this from happening by installing mechanical security measures such as Discloks on all of our vehicles, and making sure that they are located in areas with adequate lighting that are clearly visible to passers-by.

Jamming the Signal

In a variant of the relay attack, which employs a device that can be used to block the signal sent by the key fob when the vehicle is locked. The device could be found in the pocket or hiding where a burglar is hiding on a parking lot, or even near the driveway that is being targeted. Once owners hit the lock button on their fobs, and then walk away, they don't think about whether or not their car stolen with keys in it progressive is really locked. Instead, thieves can take off with the car because the signal that normally locks the car has been blocked by the device of the criminal.

The crooks also make use of devices to amplify the signal from the key fob to unlock vehicles. The crooks can do this even if the key is in the driver's pocket, or hanging from a hook inside the home. When the car keys stolen is unlocked, they can use an ordinary computer hacker to program the blank key fob and gain control of the vehicle.

To guard against this kind of attack, car manufacturers have come up with a range of anti-theft devices. However, thieves are always looking for ways to defeat these measures.

For example, they've started using devices that transmit on the same frequency as remote key fobs in order to intercept their signals. The thieves copy the unlock code of the key fob and start the vehicle using this fake signal.

This method is especially popular in the US, where many cars are equipped with wireless technology. Owners can unlock and start their vehicle by using a mobile app from their mobile. This technology will likely be more commonplace as more manufacturers try to link their cars with their owners phones.

In addition to implementing anti-theft systems in vehicles, it's vital for drivers to follow the best practices when they park their cars. They should not leave their keys in the ignition and always lock the car when not in it. If possible they should also utilize the gearstick or steering locking device. They should also consider installing a tracking device to their vehicle in the event that it's stolen car keys change locks.

Flat Battery

This kind of attack is more prevalent than many people believe. Thieves use inexpensive devices to extend the signal from your key fob to open and start a car keys stolen no spare even when it's switched off. They then drive the car around a corner or onto a trailer to then drive off with it. Installing an interruption switch to the starter circuit will protect your vehicle from this. Simpler versions have an ON/OFF button that interrupts the circuit. It is priced at around $15 and is simple to install.

Car thieves are always working on new ways to get into vehicles and steal them. Police, car manufacturers and insurance companies are always trying to keep up with the latest methods and offer better anti-theft systems for modern vehicles. But this isn't stopping thieves who adapt quickly and find ways to bypass the latest anti theft measures.

A lot of thieves block the signal using a device that uses the same radio frequency as the fob. They put the device in their pocket or in a location near their vehicle, and it prevents the fob's lock signal from reaching the vehicle and thereby leaving it unlocked. This can be done in a matter of seconds. The device is cheap and easily accessible online.

Hacking the computer system of the car is an alternative option. This is more difficult but possible. Every car has a diagnostic port, and hackers have designed devices that connect to them and let them access the software in the car. They can then program a blank fob to function. This can also be done on older vehicles, but it is more difficult without removal of the ignition lock.

As more vehicles are connected to drivers' phones, this method may be more popular. Once a thief gets the username and password to a vehicle app, they can then open the car or get it started by using the app on their phone. You can guard yourself by not putting valuables inside your car, and by parking in a garage.