The Reasons Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry Is A Lot More Hazardous Than You Thought
The Reasons Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry Is A Lot More Hazardous Than You Thought
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Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry
If car owners place their keys on the table or at their doors, they could unknowingly allow thieves to hijack their signal. This relay attack is a sophisticated method used by criminals to steal new keyless vehicles.
All keyless ignition cars emit an low-power radio signal that is in search of a fob to respond. If the signal is captured and recreated, it can be used unlock the car and to start it.
Relay Attack
Imagine your car safely parked in your driveway with your key fob in your home. You might think that your vehicle is secure, but sophisticated thieves are planning a heist without you knowing. Instead of slamming windows or jiggling locks, they are using technology to gain access to cars through digital cracks in their armor. This method of stealing vehicles with keyless access is called relay theft.
The keyless entry system in cars is controlled by a signal sent by the car's radio transmitter to the key fob. To stop unauthorized keyless entry, the RF transmitters in the key fob as well as in the car are programmed to only be activated when they're within a specific distance from each other. However, thieves can circumvent this limitation using a technique known as the relay-attack.
Two people are required to complete this: one stands near the car and uses a device that captures an electronic version of the signal from the key fob. The other, standing by the owner's house is using a different device to send the key fob signal back to the car. This trickery tricks the car into believing that the key fob is at an adequate distance to unlock and start the vehicle.
This type of attack was once a costly process that required expensive equipment. You can now buy a relay transmitter for a small price online and carry out an heist in just a few minutes. This is the reason why car thieves love it.
While some cars are less susceptible to this type of theft than others, all modern vehicles that have keyless entry are at risk. In fact researchers have tested 237 popular vehicles and found that they can be all stolen using this method.
Tesla vehicles are believed to be less susceptible to this kind of theft. However Tesla hasn't implemented UWB technology to allow it to perform distance checks and stop attacks via relay. The company has promised to make this happen in the near future, but for now they are vulnerable. Installing an anti-theft system that safeguards your keys and your car against these types of attacks is a proactive way to ensure the security of your car.
CAN Injection Attack
Modern vehicles can defend themselves against thieves by transferring encrypted messages using the key in order to prove its authenticity. The system is thought to be secure, however criminals have found ways to circumvent it. They simply pretend to be the smart key and send messages to the car, letting it unlock the doors, disable its engine immobilizer, and let them drive away. To do this they have access to the smart key's internal communications network.
Most cars today are equipped with between 20 and 200 electronic control units, or ECUs, that control different aspects of the vehicle's operation. They communicate via a network called CAN bus. These ECUs enter a low-power sleep mode to reduce their power consumption. This mode is activated when ECUs receive an "wake up" frame. These frames are usually sent by the ECU that controls the smart key or door. However the messages aren't usually encrypted or authenticated so they could be snatched by criminals who have a low-cost and basic device.
To accomplish this, they must look for a location where they can connect directly to the CAN bus connection wires. They usually are hidden in the headlights, or in other areas of the front of the vehicle. To gain access to them, you can remove the bumper and make holes in the headlamp assemblies. The criminals then employ a device dubbed an CAN injection attacker, which is used to send fake messages which fool the security systems of the car into unlocking it and disengaging the engine immobilizer.
These devices can be purchased through the Dark Web and work with all major car makers including BMW and Cadillac, Chrysler, Fiat and Ford, Honda, Hyundai and Jeep, Lexus and Nissan, Renault and Toyota, Volkswagen and Maserati. The researchers who discovered this CAN Injection attack are recommending that all car makers address the issue in their current models, but the fact is that thieves will continue to steal everything they can lay their hands on. We can prevent this by implementing mechanical safety measures like Discloks in all our vehicles and parking them in well-lit, well-lit areas.
Blocking the Signal
In a different variant of the relay attack, thieves can employ a device to block the signal from an electronic key fob if the vehicle is locked. The device could be hidden in the pocket or hiding where a burglar is hiding on a parking lot, or in the driveway being targeted. Once owners hit the lock button on their fobs and leave, they don't think about whether or not the car actually locks. The device used by the crook interferes with the signal to lock the vehicle. Thus, thieves are able to drive away with the vehicle.
They also get more info have devices that amplify signals from the key fob to unlock vehicles. They can even do this while the key is in the driver's pocket or hanging from its hook inside the house. Once the car has been locked, hackers can use a standard diagnosis port to create a blank fob.
To guard against this kind of attack, car makers have come up with a range of anti-theft gadgets. But, thieves are constantly trying to beat these measures.
For example, they've started using devices that transmit on the same frequency as remote key fobs to intercept their signals. The thieves can then copy the key fob's unlock code and then start the car with this fake signal.
This technique is especially popular in the US and Europe where a lot of automobiles are sold with wireless technology that allows owners to unlock and start their vehicle using a mobile app on their smartphone. This technology is expected to gain popularity as more and more manufacturers try to connect their vehicles with their owner's smartphones.
In addition to installing anti-theft technologies in vehicles, it's crucial for drivers to use the best practices when they park their vehicles. It is not a good idea to leave key fobs in the ignition. They should always ensure that their car is fully locked when they're not using it and should use the steering wheel or a gearstick lock, if it is possible. They should also think about fitting a tracking device to their vehicle in the event it is stolen.
Flat Battery
This kind of attack is more frequent than most people realize. Thieves make use of inexpensive devices to extend the signal from your key fob to unlock and start the car, even if it's switched off. Then they drive the car to a trailer or around a corner and take it away. Installing an interrupter switch for the starter circuit will protect your vehicle from this. Simpler versions include an ON/OFF button that shuts off the circuit. It's priced at around $15 and is easy enough to put in yourself.
Car thieves are always searching for new ways to rob vehicles. Car manufacturers, police and insurance companies are always trying to stay on top of the latest methods and offer better anti theft systems for modern vehicles. However, this isn't stopping thieves who easily adapt and find ways around the most recent anti-theft measures.
For example, many criminals use a device that works on the same frequency as the fob to jam the signal. They put the device in their pockets or near their vehicle, and it stops the fob's lock command from reaching the vehicle which leaves the vehicle unlocked. This can be done in seconds. The device is affordable and easily available online.
Hacking the computer system of the car is another option. This is more difficult but still feasible. Hackers have developed devices that plug into the diagnostic port of all vehicles and allow them to connect to the software. They can then program a blank fob to function. It is possible to do this on older cars as well however it is more difficult without removing the ignition.
This technique could become more popular if more vehicles are connected to drivers' mobile phones. Once a burglar has the username and password to an application for vehicles, they can unlock or start the vehicle with the app. You can guard yourself by not leaving valuables in your car and also by parking in garages.