10 Top Books On Car Stolen Keyless Entry

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Keyless Entry and Car Theft

The number of car thefts is growing, and thieves are finding new ways to get into vehicles. One of the most well-known methods is keyless entry.

The days of taking cars away by breaking windows and hotwiring them are long gone. They can now hack into the computers of a vehicle within a matter of minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction to the Push-to Start technology, millions of people have enjoyed the convenience to be in a position to start their vehicles without needing to look for a car key. Unfortunately, this same convenience makes vehicles more vulnerable to theft. Particularly, thieves have been able use a new technique called the relay attack to steal cars in a matter of seconds. This method uses an amplifier to amplify and capture the signal sent by the car's keyfob. It allows thieves to unlock the car and drive off.

The relay attack is actually an alteration of an older technique known as Man-in the-Middle attacks. This type of attack can be used in cybersecurity to intercept communications between two parties and alter it without the other knowing. In a relay attack, the attacker employs an electronic device that can capture and transmit the signal from the fob of the key in your car to another device in the vicinity. The second device is able to open the door and begin the engine of your vehicle in just a few just a few seconds.

Criminals can perform a relay attack by using a cheap and readily available device to pick up the signal from the key fob. Usually, thieves will work in pairs. One person will hold the relay amplifier while the other is outside in front of the victim’s house. The thief will then wave the device in front of the home of the victim and trick the car into thinking the key is within reach and allows it to open and start.

Some experts suggest keeping your key fob in a metallic container, signal-blocking pouch, or Faraday bag when it is not in use to stop this type of theft. This is a basic but ineffective method against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a much superior option, since it physically blocks the person who stole the vehicle from steering the vehicle after it was taken.

Many vehicle manufacturers have attempted to address this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems, which use encryption techniques and time-sensitive codes to guard against relay attacks. Criminals have developed devices that can defeat these measures. This is why the race is on to discover a way to stop relay crime without comprising the convenient nature of technology that is keyless.

Hacking

Many new cars are equipped with keyless entry systems which allow drivers to start and open their vehicle without needing the use of a physical key or button. However, these systems could be susceptible to a different kind of theft. The thieves could employ electronic devices that copy the signal from the key fob, and then transmit it to a accomplice who holds a transmitter close to the vehicle. The person who stole the car then unlocks it and is able to drive away. According to AAA, this method is known as a relay attack. It can be completed in between 20 and 30 seconds.

Thieves often employ cheap devices that mimic wireless key fob signal to record it and send it to an accomplice. When the victim clicks their key fob to unlock or start the vehicle, the thief could pretend to be the legitimate owner by sending a signal to the car's system, making it believe that a legitimate signal is being transmitted by the fob.

More sophisticated thieves have created devices that plug into a car's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port which is typically situated under the steering wheel. This port allows mechanics to connect to a diagnostic tool. The thief downloads the data from the computer in the car and creates an unlocked key fob that matches the specifications of the car. Most vehicles are susceptible to this kind of hacking.

Some thieves have employed TikTok challenges as a way to teach people to make cheap amplifiers which boost the signal of the key fob, making it possible for an accomplice unlock the car even when it is in the driveway. This has prompted companies such as Kia and Toyota to release software updates that block this vulnerability.

Experts suggest keeping your car keys further away from home, and even in the trunk, so that a thief has a harder time accessing the keys. You can also buy RFID pouches to help shield the signal from unauthorised use. Some of these pouches feature metal mesh linings, and can read more be purchased at a low cost of around $10. Just like your phone or computer it's essential to keep the software in your vehicle up-to date.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards

The latest car key fobs connect to vehicles using radio signals, allowing owners of the cars to unlock and start their vehicles without touching keys. These new technologies increase the risk of theft. The signal from a keyfob can be captured if the fob is left on a table near the front door or in the wallet. Then, they can copy it using simple devices called emulators, that are the size of handheld consoles. They can then open the car in a matter of minutes and drive off.

The crooks usually work in pairs. The crooks typically operate in pairs. One of them will be outside of your house equipped with a relay amplifier and the other one will be carrying a device that receives a signal from a keyfob. The thieves can then amplify the signal to make it strong enough to evade security systems inside your car.

Another method is to block the communication between the key fob and the car. Thieves accomplish this by using signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as a key fob. This muddles the signal, preventing it from reaching the car, which prevents the lock button from functioning.

Dealers in the auto industry must be on guard to guard their inventory as thieves become more sophisticated. Dealerships should install high-security perimeter fences that include cameras and secure entrances so that thieves cannot drive flatbeds with cars after hours. They should also train their employees on the proper handling of keys, which includes locking vehicles securely and storing keys safely when not being used.

Fortunately, technology is helping stop car thefts and combat the new thieves. For instance, some car manufacturers are developing key fobs that use active RFID chips with frequency-hopping technology to make it harder for thieves to amplify the signal from the key. Faraday cages are another way to block signals from a keyfob's signal to the car. Other defences include etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the windows, headlights and mirrors to prevent reuse or re-sale of your vehicle.

Theft of VIN

While keyless entry is convenient, it also creates new opportunities for thieves to rob vehicles. When your car recognises the signal that is sent by your wireless key or remote fob, it will unlock the door and begin the engine. If the signal isn't recognised the car will lock but will not start. You need to hold the key to activate the starter.

This is the reason it's crucial to keep your remote and key fob away from view, even when your car is parked. A criminal could use a tiny transmitter device to detect your signal and steal it. He can then open your door without removing the ignition or key.

In some instances criminals are capable of swapping out a vehicle's VIN and title to conceal their involvement in the stolen car. This practice is referred to as VIN switching and is on the rise. The thieves usually purchase a damaged vehicle through auctions or the police department, and then modify the VIN. They then make use of a valid VIN from another model and to obtain a brand new registration and title, and then sell the car to unwitting buyers.

The VIN is a well-known method to deter theft. Many companies provide kits for this, and in certain areas, the police department or AAA offers this service at no cost. It may seem counterintuitive to think that etching could discourage thieves. In the end, it makes it more difficult for dealers to purchase your car. However, a professional thief is aware that etching is a significant stumbling block and will probably deter them from the theft of your vehicle.

The NICB offers a free VINCheck online service that will determine if your car was ever reported as stolen or salvaged but not yet recovered. The service requires an active VIN to conduct a search and is accessible on their website. Additionally, a vast variety of crime-deterring products are available for your car, including audible and visible devices that serve as a deterrent for criminals. Some of them include the locking of your steering wheel, alarms and window etching.