10 Healthy Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry Habits
10 Healthy Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry Habits
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Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry
Car owners who leave their keys on tables or near their front door could be allowing thieves to hijack the signal. This relay attack is just one of the high-tech methods criminals are using to steal new keyless cars.
Keyless ignition vehicles emit a low power radio signal to locate an appropriate fob. If the signal is captured and recreated, it could be used unlock the car, and also to start it.
Relay Attack
Imagine your car safely at your driveway, with your key fob in your home. You're confident that your car is safe, but unnoticed by you, sophisticated thieves are plotting a heist. They use technology to snoop on vehicles through digital chinks. Also known as relay theft, it's an increasingly common way to steal cars that have keyless entry.
The keyless entry system in cars is controlled by a signal by the car's RF transmitter to the key fob. To prevent unauthorized keyless entry, the RF transmitters in the key fob as well as in the car are programmed to only activate when they're within a certain distance from each other. However, thieves can circumvent this limitation employing a method known as the'relay-attack'.
To do so, two people work in tandem: one stands by the car with an instrument that records digitally the key fob's signal. The other, standing by the house of the owner and using a second device to transmit the key fob signal back down to the car. This trick tricked the car into thinking that the key fob is near enough to allow it to unlock and start the engine.
In the past, this type of attack required expensive equipment to perform. However, now you can purchase relay transmitters for low cost online and conduct a heist in minutes. This is why it's so popular among car thieves.
All modern vehicles with keyless access are vulnerable. Some cars are more vulnerable to this type than others. In fact, researchers have tested 237 vehicles that are popular and found that they can all be stolen using this method.
Tesla cars are said to be less susceptible to this type of theft, however, the company has not yet implemented UWB features to effectively perform distance checks on the car's signal and stop relay attacks. The company has stated that they will implement this feature in the near future, but until then they are vulnerable. Installing an anti-theft device that guards your car and your keys against such attacks is a proactive way to ensure the security of your vehicle.
CAN Injection Attack
Modern vehicles can defend themselves from thieves by exchanging encrypted messages with the key to prove its authenticity. This method is generally thought to be secure, however thieves have found a way 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.
Today, most automobiles are equipped with between 20 to 200 electronic control units (or ECUs) that control various aspects of the car's operation. They communicate via the CAN bus network. To ensure that power consumption is low the ECUs are put into the sleep mode at low power. This mode is activated when they receive a 'wake up frame. These frames are usually sent through the door or a smart key receiver ECU. However the messages aren't usually encrypted or authenticated and, therefore, can be intercepted by criminals using a cheap and basic device.
They search for a location where they can connect directly to the wires for CAN connection. They're usually hidden within the headlights or in front of the vehicle, and can be accessed by pulling the bumper off and cutting holes in the headlamp assembly to expose them. The thieves employ an instrument known as an CAN injection attack. It is used to send fake messages which trick the car's safety systems into unlocking and disengaging the engine immobilizer.
These devices are available for sale on the Dark Web, and work for most of the major car makers including BMW, Cadillac, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen, Maserati, and more. The more info researchers who discovered this CAN Injection attack are recommending that all car manufacturers fix the issue in their current models, but the fact is that the thieves will continue to take anything they can get their hands on. The best we can do is attempt to stop this from happening by installing security measures that are mechanical like Discloks on all our cars and ensuring that they're always parked in well-lit areas that are easily visible to pedestrians.
Blocking the Signal
In a different variant of the relay attack, thieves could use a gadget to jam the signal sent from an electronic key fob if the car is locked. The device could be found in the pocket or hidden place of a thief on a parking lot, or near the driveway being targeted. Once owners hit the button to lock their fobs and walk away they don't consider whether or not the car is really locked. Instead, thieves could take off with the car because the signal that normally locks the car has been blocked by the device of the criminal.
They also make use of devices that amplify signals from the key fob to unlock vehicles. The crooks can accomplish this even when the key is in a pocket of a driver, or hanging from a hook inside the home. When the car is unlocked, they can use an ordinary diagnostic port or computer hackers to program a blank key fob and gain control over the vehicle.
Car manufacturers have come up with various anti-theft devices to guard against these kinds of attacks. But thieves always find ways to defeat these measures.
They've started using devices that transmit at the same frequency as remote keyfobs in order to intercept signals. The crooks then copy the unlock code of the key fob and then start the car with this fake signal.
This technique is particularly popular in the US in which many vehicles are equipped with wireless technology. Owners can start and unlock their car through a mobile application on their phone. This technology is likely to be more commonplace as more companies attempt to link their cars with their owners smartphones.
It is important that drivers follow the right procedures when parking their vehicles. They shouldn't leave their key fobs in the ignition. They should always ensure that the car is securely locked when they're not in it and should use the steering wheel or a gearstick lock, if it is possible. It is also recommended to think about installing a tracking device on their vehicle in the event it's stolen.
Flat Battery
This kind of attack is more common than people think. The thieves make use of low-cost devices that increase the signal of your key fob to unlock and start your car even when it's off. Then they drive the car to an unmarked trailer or around a corner to take the vehicle away. Installing a starter circuit interruption switch can protect your vehicle from this. The simplest ones just have an ON/OFF switch that shuts off the starter circuit. It is priced at around $15 and is simple to install.
Car thieves are always searching for new ways to take vehicles. Police, car manufacturers and insurance companies are always trying to keep up with the latest tactics and provide better anti theft systems for modern vehicles. But this doesn't stop thieves who can adapt quickly and find ways to circumvent the latest anti theft measures.
For instance, many criminals employ devices that operate on the same frequency as the fob to block the signal. They put the device in their pocket or somewhere close to their vehicle, and it blocks the fob's lock signal from reaching the vehicle, leaving the vehicle unlocked. This can be done within minutes. The device is affordable and readily available online.
Another strategy is to hack the car's computer system. This is more difficult but still possible. Hackers have developed devices that connect to the diagnostic port of all vehicles and allow them to connect to the software. From there, they are able to program the blank key fob to start working. It is possible to do this on older vehicles too but it's more difficult without removing the ignition.
This technique could become more popular if more vehicles are connected with drivers' mobile phones. Once a burglar has gained the username and password to a vehicle app they are able to open the car or get it started using the app on their phone. You can protect yourself by not putting valuables inside your car, and also by parking in a garage.