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Keyless Cars Being Stolen in Minutes

Using equipment available for sale online, criminals are targeting keys-less vehicles, which can be taken away in a matter of minutes. Find out how thieves are able to bypass security features and how you can do to protect your vehicle.

Keep your key fob in a faraday bag, or an aluminium tin in order to block the signal. Also, consider fitting a lock for the steering wheel to prevent the car being taken away.

Relay Theft

It's easy to forget about the dangers of cars that don't have keys. They can expose your car to cybercriminals with high-tech devices. Relay theft is one of the latest hacking techniques that thieves employ.

Two criminals can steal your car with this method. The first thief, who is standing close to your home, uses equipment to amplify the signal of a key fob. Then, he transmits this amplified signal to the second thief in close proximity to your vehicle. The second thief could use their device to mimic your fob's signal and unlock the car or start the engine and take off with the car.

Online devices are accessible at a low cost. They can be put on any car, whether it's the latest SUV or the earliest Honda Civic. Certain types of vehicles are more at risk than others. Cars that are highly sought-after from thieves, whether due to their resale worth or the ease of dismantling parts and are often targeted by criminals. This is why you should always park in a well-lit spot and make sure you don't store anything valuable in the vehicle (including your owner's manual which may contain keys for valet service).

According to tracking company Tracker UK, the UK has witnessed a record number of thefts made using this method. In July 2023, they accounted for 98 percent of the stolen vehicles that the company was able to recover.

Experts recommend installing aftermarket security devices such as GPS trackers and alarms to decrease the chance of becoming a victim. They also recommend storing keys in a container made of metal, signal-blocking pouches or Faraday box, which can protect against relay attacks.

Dealerships can also help protect their inventory by implementing physical security measures, such as perimeter fencing, surveillance cameras and well-lit areas. In addition, they should instruct staff on proper key handling techniques and lockdown procedures to prevent thefts. If they are selling older vehicles, they should look into installing an ignition immobilizer from the dealer. This will stop thieves from driving off with the vehicle, after tricking the system into believing that it is still on the dealership lot.

Theft of Transponders

As car manufacturers update their keyless technology to make cars more secure, thieves are upgrading their own equipment to keep up. Criminals use relay attacks to steal keyless cars. Two people collaborate. The thief is waiting in the vicinity of the victim's house with a device that detects a signal coming from the key fob. This is then relayed to a friend who is near the vehicle. If the signal copied is detected the door is opened and the car begins to move - all without the need for the actual key to be present. This has been recorded on home security cameras, which show the cars being driven off within a matter of seconds.

This is a growing threat to owners of all kinds and models, with even older luxury vehicles at risk. Tracker UK, a tracking company in the UK, said that 98% of the high-tech vehicles it retrieved last year were stolen using keyless systems. Older luxury vehicles with less sophisticated keyless systems are at the highest risk such as Mercedes C- and E-Class, BMW 3 Series, Land Rover Discovery and Jaguar XF models.

Another way of stealing keys is code stealing that can occur when you're not paying careful attention to where you place your key fob. For instance, you may place it in your pocket when you're at home and forget to retrieve it when you leave. If your fob is within range of an in-home intelligent security or hub that can be hacked, it is possible to gain access to the vehicle's control systems. A hacker with a basic understanding of electronics can alter the code of the vehicle to do whatever they want, for instance, the ignition off and drive away.

It is important to protect your vehicle and be aware of these attacks. You can lower the risk of theft by parking your car in a secure or gated garage. If this isn't possible, install a motion-sensored video camera that can see your driveway. You can also purchase signal blocking items such as boxes or bags that are designed to stop thieves from hijacking the signals from your key fob in the event that they are in close proximity to a jammer.

Theft of programming

The technology used in keyless cars makes them more convenient for us, but it also makes it easier for thieves to steal. The "relay attack" is a common way to steal a car with keyless entry systems. It involves crooks working in pairs and using equipment to record the signal that your fob sends when it is within the reach of the door or ignition to unlock and start your vehicle.

The keyless system is based on radio signals that are low-power and only operate when the key fob is near the doors or ignition. However, a skilled hacker can make use of specially designed equipment to increase the amount of communication between the vehicle and the fob, greatly expanding the range of the system. This enables a criminal to trick the vehicle to believe that the fob is within close proximity to begin or unlock it, when it is only within a few meters of the victim's pocket or at home.

Certain cars come with an additional security feature that blocks the ignition when the fob is too far away, but this only is applicable if the vehicle been programmed to recognize the fob's signals at a certain frequency. If a hacker can obtain the coding of the car's system, they can reprogram the fob to function at whatever frequency the car is programmed to recognize and thus bypass the security feature.

The On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD) is typically situated under the steering wheel, could be used by thieves to steal the code of your keyless transmission. This device, known as more info a key programmer, is available online for less that $1,000. The tool can download specific information of your vehicle to a blank keyfob permitting the fob to unlock and start the vehicle as in the manner of a genuine thing.

They are easily available on the internet and allow criminals to target a variety of makes and models. But the most popular cars that have keyless entry are the ones from premium brands like BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Jaguar, and these are the most frequently targeted by thieves. Tracker, an insurance company discovered that luxury models contributed to about half of all high-tech thefts it helped to recover.

Theft of Lockout

Criminals are able to easily exploit the flaws of keyless entry systems. While the old method of smashing car windows and hotwiring cars is still popular, more criminals are using high-tech techniques that allow them to rob cars without entering homes. In fact, according to data from the company that tracks Tracker, car thefts have increased to an all-time record in the U.K., with keyless car thefts accounting for a significant portion of the total.

These new techniques are not just less expensive than traditional car thefts, they can be accomplished within a matter of minutes. A team of two thieves, for instance could use devices that capture the signal from the keyfob, and sends it directly to the transmitter in the hands of the other person who is stealing. This allows the other person to unlock the vehicle and drive it away. These devices can be purchased for just $100 and are compatible with various car models.

In addition to these advanced methods, thieves are capable of capturing the data sent by a key fob and then duplicate and upload to a blank key fob. These keys that have been cloned will be able to unlock and start a vehicle, even if the original key isn't present.

ADAC's research revealed that a variety of popular vehicles including the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Prius are at risk of this kind of theft. In fact, a single key can unlock multiple vehicles using this method, which means that it is no longer necessary to target specific brands or models.

Automobile manufacturers are now offering preventative measures to protect their vehicles from these new threats. For instance, Kia has created a faraday bag that can be placed in the pocket of the driver's key fob to block signals and protect it against theft. Other options include creating additional keys and keeping them in safe but easily accessible places or installing cameras around your home and driveway, or using apps to ensure you don't forget your car. It's important to check the battery level of your key fob frequently to ensure that it isn't going flat.