Speak "Yes" To These 5 Car Stolen Keyless Entry Tips

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Keyless Entry and Car Theft

Car theft is increasing and thieves have found new ways to gain access to vehicles. Keyless entry is one of the most popular methods.

The days of stealing cars by breaking windows and wiring them long gone. Today, they can hack 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 being able to start their car without needing a key. Unfortunately, the same convenience can make vehicles susceptible to theft. Particularly thieves have been able to utilize a technique that is called the relay attack to steal cars in seconds. This technique uses a device to record and amplify the signal through the key fob of your car, allowing thieves to unlock and then drive away.

Relay attacks are a variation on an older technique known as Man-in-the-Middle attacks. This type of attack can be used in cybersecurity to snoop on communications between two parties and alter it without either party not knowing. In a relay attack, the attacker uses an electronic device to capture and transmit the signal from the key fob in your car to a device located nearby. The second device is able to unlock the door and start the engine of your vehicle in just a few just a few seconds.

Criminals can carry out a relay attack making use of a low-cost and readily available device to pick up the signal from the key fob. Usually, thieves will work in pairs. One person will hold the amplifier for relay while another is outside, near the victim’s house. The thief simply wave the device in front of the home of the victim and tricks the car into thinking the key is within reach and allows it to open and start.

To avoid this kind of theft, experts suggest that you store your key fob whenever not in use in a metal container or pouch. This is a straightforward but ineffective solution against modern relay devices. A better alternative is to purchase an ignition lock for the steering wheel, which physically blocks the criminal's ability to steer the vehicle once it is stolen.

Many car makers have attempted to resolve this issue by introducing features, such as secure keyless entry systems, which employ cryptographic techniques with time-sensitive codes in order to protect against relay attacks. However criminals have managed to create devices that can defeat these measures. The race is now on to find a solution to relay crime that does not hinder the ease of keyless technology.

Hacking

Many new cars are equipped with keyless entry systems which let drivers start and open their vehicle without the need of a physical key or button. These systems are vulnerable to a new type of theft. The thieves could 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 is then able to unlock the vehicle and then drive away. This is referred to as relay attack. It can be done in between 20 and 30 seconds according to AAA.

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

The more sophisticated thieves have developed devices that connect to the On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD) which is located usually under the steering wheel. This port permits mechanics to connect diagnostic tools. The thief is then able to download information from the car's computer and create an unlocked key fob that is compatible with the car's specifications. This type of hacking can be done on nearly all vehicles.

Some thieves have used TikTok challenges as a way to teach people to make cheap amplifiers which boost the signal from the key fob, making it possible for an accomplice unlock the car even when it is in the driveway. This method has led companies like Kia to release software updates that block the vulnerability.

Experts recommend keeping your car keys in a trunk, or a place further away from home so that a thief isn't able to easily access the keys. You can also invest in RFID pouches that help to protect the signal and discourage unauthorized use. They can be purchased for less than $10. Some are equipped with metal mesh linings. It is also essential to keep your car's software current and up to date, just as you would on your phone and computer.

Radio Frequency Identification Cards

The most recent car key fobs connect to vehicles using radio signals, which allows owners of cars to open and start their cars without touching a key. These new technologies 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, called emulators, that are the size of handheld consoles. They can then open the car in minutes and drive away.

The crooks typically operate in pairs. The crooks usually work in pairs. One of them will be in front of your home equipped with a relay amplifier and the other will have the device that receives the signal of a keyfob. The crooks can then amplify the signal to ensure it is strong enough to disable your car's security system.

Another popular tactic involves simply jamming the communication between the keyfob and the vehicle. The thieves use signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as a key fob. This blocks the signal and stops it from being picked up by the vehicle. The lock button will not work.

As thieves become more sophisticated in their tactics, auto dealers need to be alert in securing their inventory. Dealerships need to implement high-security perimeter fencing that includes cameras and a secure entrance so that thieves can't drive in flatbeds and vehicles after hours. They should also train employees on the proper handling of keys, including securely locking cars and keeping them in a secure place when they are not being used.

Technology is helping to stop car thefts and combat the new thieves. Certain car makers are creating key fobs with active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology that makes it more difficult for thieves to amplify the signal from the keys. Furthermore, Faraday cages can be used to stop the transmission of signals from a key fob to cars. Other defenses include etching last seven numbers of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the windows, headlights and mirrors to prevent the reuse or re-sale of your vehicle.

VIN Theft

While keyless entry is great for convenience however, it also creates new opportunities for thieves to rob cars. If your car recognizes a signal sent from your wireless remote or key fob, it will unlock the door and begin the engine. If the signal isn't recognized the car will lock but will not start. This is because you need to hold the key in your hand to press a button on the fob in order to start here the starter.

Even when your vehicle is parked, it is important to keep the remote and key fob hidden. A criminal can hijack your signal by using a tiny transmitter. He can then unlock your door without removing the ignition or key.

In certain instances criminals may be capable of swapping out the vehicle's VIN and title to hide their involvement in the stolen car. This practice, known as VIN-switching is on increasing. Typically, crooks buy a damaged car through auctions or police departments and then change the VIN. They then make use of a valid VIN from an alternative model and make the purchase of a brand new title and registration and then sell the vehicle to unwitting buyers.

A popular theft deterrent is to have your VIN etched into the windshield of your car. Numerous companies offer kits for this, and in certain locations, the police department or AAA provides this service free of charge. It seems counterintuitive that etching could deter thieves since it makes your car more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. However, a professional thief is aware that etching can be a significant stumbling block and will probably stop them from the theft of your vehicle.

The NICB provides a free VINCheck online service to determine if your vehicle has ever been reported as stolen or salvaged, but has not yet recovered. The service is available only on their website and requires the use of a valid VIN. There are also a range of security equipment that can deter criminals in your vehicle. They include audible and visual devices that discourage criminals. Some of them include the locking of your steering wheel, alarms and window etching.