9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Keyless Cars Being Stolen

Keyless Cars Being Stolen in Minutes

Criminals target keyless cars that can be stolen within minutes using equipment sold online. Learn how thieves can evade security features in your car and what you can do to protect it.

Keep your key fob in a faraday bag, or an aluminum tin to block the signal. Consider installing a steering lock to prevent your vehicle from being driven away.

Relay Theft

The ease of using keyless cars can make it easy to forget that they could also make your vehicle vulnerable to high-tech criminals. One of the most recent methods of hacking used by thieves is known as "relay theft."

This method lets two criminals work together to steal your car. One thief stands by your house with equipment that can boost the signal for the fob of a key, and then transmit that signal amplified over a distance to the other thief who is standing near your vehicle. The second thief can then use their device to mimic your fob's signal and unlock the car or start the engine, allowing them to take off with the car.

They can be purchased online at a bargain price. And they can be used on any kind of vehicle including the most modern SUVs to the earliest Honda Civics. Certain cars are more at risk than others. Cars that are highly sought-after from thieves, whether due to their resale worth or for the ease of dismantling components typically are targeted by criminals. This is why it is important to park in a safe area, and don't store anything valuable in the car (including the owner's manual that could contain a valet key).

In the UK The thefts that are facilitated by this method are at an all-time high, according to tracking company Tracker UK. In July 2023, they accounted for 98 percent of the cars stolen car with keys left in it that Tracker UK recovered.

Experts suggest installing aftermarket security systems like alarms and GPS trackers to lower the risk of becoming a victim. They also suggest storing keys in a metal container, signal-blocking pouch, or Faraday box, which will stop relay attacks.

Dealerships can also protect their inventory by implementing robust physical security measures like perimeter fencing, surveillance cameras and well-lit areas. In addition, they must educate employees on proper procedures for handling keys and lockdown procedures to avoid thefts. If they are selling older vehicles, they should consider a dealer-installed ignition immobilizer. This will prevent thieves from escaping with the car, after tricking the system into believing it is still on the dealership lot.

Theft of Transponders

In order to stay up to date with the latest technologies and technology, thieves upgrade their equipment to keep up. One method criminals are using is referred to as a relay attack, which is where two people collaborate to steal a vehicle that is keyless. The thief is outside the victim's house with a device that picks up the signal from a key fob, which is relayed to a partner who is seated near the car. The car will begin to start if the copied signal is recognized. This has been captured on security cameras in homes that show cars being driven away within a matter of seconds.

Even luxury cars that are older are at risk. Tracker UK, a tracking company in the UK said that 98% of high-tech vehicles it found in the last year were stolen through keyless systems. Older luxury vehicles with less sophisticated keyless systems are most at risk such as Mercedes C- and E-Class, BMW 3 Series, Land Rover Discovery and Jaguar XF models.

Another method of theft via keyless is code theft, which can happen when you're not paying pay attention to where you put your key fob. You might not remember to remove it from your pocket when you leave the house. If your fob is in the 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 solid knowledge of electronics can reprogram the car to do whatever they want it to accomplish, like turning off the ignition and drive off.

It is crucial to safeguard your vehicle and be aware of these attacks. You can reduce the risk of theft by parking your vehicle in a gated or locked garage. If that's not feasible then you should consider installing a motion sensor camera that has a view of your driveway. You can also purchase signal blocking items like bags or boxes designed to stop thieves from taking over the signals of your key fob when they are located close to the jammer.

Theft of programming

The technology used in keyless cars makes them more convenient for us, but it also makes them easier for thieves to take. The most common method of stealing a vehicle through keyless entry systems is called a "relay attack". The thieves operate in pairs, using equipment to record your fob's signal when it is near the ignition or door to unlock your vehicle.

The keyless system works by relying on radio signals that are low-power and only operate when the key fob is in close proximity to the doors or ignition. A skilled hacker, can use specially-designed equipment to enhance the connection between the fob and the vehicle, thus extending the capabilities of the system. This can be used to make the vehicle believe that the fob is in close proximity to start or unlock it, but it is only mere meters away in the victim's pocket or at home.

Certain cars come with an additional security feature that turns off the ignition if the fob is too far away, however this only is applicable if the vehicle been programmed to recognize the fob's signal at a certain frequency. If hackers can gain access to the coding of the car's system, they could reprogram the fob to work at whatever frequency the car is programmed to recognize and thus bypass this security feature.

The On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD), which is usually situated under the steering wheel, can be used by car criminals to get the coding of your keyless transmission. This device, referred to as a 'key programmer', is available on the internet for less than $1000. This tool can download the specific data of your car to a blank keyfob which allows the fob to be unlocked and start the car as in the manner of a genuine thing.

They are readily accessible online and allow criminals to target large range of makes and models. The most well-known keys-free entry vehicles are those produced by luxury manufacturers such as BMW Audi Mercedes and Jaguar. These are the ones that are targeted the most. Tracker, an insurance company, found that luxury models were responsible for up to half of all high-tech thefts that it assisted in recovering.

Lockout Theft

While keyless entry vehicles are a fantastic convenience, it doesn't need long for criminals to spot weaknesses in the system. While the traditional method of smashing the windows of cars and hotwiring cars is still common, more and criminals are using high-tech techniques that permit them to steal cars without entering homes. According to the data of tracking company Tracker car thefts in the U.K. have reached an all-time peak, with keyless thefts accounting for a significant portion of the total.

These new methods aren't just less expensive than traditional car thefts, they can be done within a matter of minutes. A team of two thieves, for example could use a device that intercepts the signal from the keyfob, and sends it directly to the transmitter in the hand of the other criminal. This enables the other thief to unlock the car and drive away. These devices can be bought for as little $100 and work on a variety of car models.

The thieves can now, in addition to these advanced methods, encrypt the data sent from the key fob. They can then clone it and upload it to an unlocked fob. These keys that have been cloned will be capable of unlocking and launching the vehicle, even when the original key isn't present.

ADAC's research has revealed that a variety of popular vehicles including the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Prius, are vulnerable to this kind of theft. A single key can be used to unlock multiple vehicles using this method. This means that it is not necessary to target specific vehicle models or brands.

To ensure that cars are safe from these new threats, car manufacturers are now offering security measures. Kia, for example, has developed a faraday pouch that can be placed in the keyfob of the driver's pocket to block signals and protect it from being stolen. Other options include making spare my keys were stolen and storing them in secure yet accessible locations, installing surveillance cameras around your driveway and at home, and using apps that ensure that you do not leave your car unattended. Finally, it's recommended to check regularly the battery status of your my key fob was stolen fob in order to avoid it becoming dead.