10 Car Stolen Keyless Entry-Related Projects To Extend Your Creativity

Keyless Entry and Car Theft

Car theft is on the rise and thieves have discovered new ways to get into vehicles. One of the most common methods is keyless entry.

The days of taking cars away by breaking windows and wiring them over. They can now hack into the computer systems of vehicles in minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction to the Push-to Start technology, millions of people have been able to be capable to start their cars without having to search for the car keys. However, this convenience also makes vehicles more vulnerable to theft. The relay attack is a brand new technique that thieves can use to steal cars in just a few seconds. This method uses an amplifier to amplify and capture the signal generated by the key fob of your car. It allows thieves to unlock the vehicle and then drive away.

The relay attack is a variant of an older method known as Man-in-the Middle attacks. This type of attack is employed in cybersecurity to intercept and alter the communications between two entities without the other party noticing it. 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 a device in the vicinity. This second device can unlock the door and start your car's engine in seconds.

Criminals can carry out a relay attack by using a cheap and readily available device to capture the signal from the key fob. Usually, thieves work in pairs, with one holding the relay amplifier, and the other person standing outside near the home of the victim. The thief wave the device in the direction of the victim's home, tricking the car into thinking the key is nearby.

Some experts recommend storing your key fob in a metallic container, signal-blocking pouch, or Faraday bag whenever not in use to stop this type of theft. But this is a basic solution that has been shown to not work against modern relay devices. A far better option is to invest in a steering wheel lock, that physically blocks the thief's ability to steer the vehicle once it's taken.

Many car manufacturers have tried to resolve this issue by introducing features such as secure keyless entry systems which use cryptographic methods with time-sensitive codes in order to defend against relay attacks. Criminals have created devices that can defeat these measures. The race is on to find a solution for relay crime that does not interfere with the security of technology that is keyless.

Hacking

A lot of new cars stolen with keyless entry come with keyless entry systems, which let drivers open and start their vehicle without needing a physical button or key. These systems are susceptible to a new kind of theft. The thieves could make use of electronic devices that replicate the signal from the key fob, and then transmit it to a accomplice holding an electronic transmitter near the vehicle. The thief can then unlock the car was stolen with keys inside and drive away. This is referred to as a relay attack and can be done in between 20 and 30 seconds, according to AAA.

Thieves typically use cheap devices to mimic wireless key fob signal to capture it and transmit it to a partner. Then, when the victim clicks their key fob to lock or start the car, the criminal can pretend to be the owner of the car by transmitting a response to the car's system that makes it believe that a legitimate signal is coming from the fob.

More sophisticated thieves have created devices that can be plugged into a car's On Board Diagnostics (OBD) port which is typically situated under the steering wheel. It allows mechanics to connect to a diagnostic tool. The thief downloads the information from the computer of the car and creates a blank key fob matching the specifications of the car. This kind of hacking is possible on nearly all vehicles.

Some thieves have employed TikTok challenges as a way to train people to create cheap amplifiers that increase the signal of the key fob, making it possible for an accomplice to open the door even when it is in the driveway. This technique has prompted manufacturers such as Kia and Toyota to perform software updates that prevent this vulnerability.

Experts suggest keeping your car keys away from home, and even in the trunk so that thieves have a tough getting access to them. You can also purchase RFID pouches that help to block the signal and prevent the use of your keys in a non-approved way. These pouches can be purchased for as little as $10. Some have metal mesh linings. Like your phone or computer it is essential to keep the software in your car up-to-date.

Radio Frequency Identification Cards

The latest car key fobs communicate with vehicles via radio signals, allowing the owners of the cars to open and start their cars without touching the key. However, these new technologies also increase the chance of theft. The signal from a keyfob's sensor can be recorded if the fob is left on a table near the front door or in the wallet. It is then possible to copy it using simple devices called emulators, that are the size of handheld consoles. They can then unlock the car in just a few minutes and drive away.

The crooks typically operate in pairs. One will be outside your house holding a relay amplifier, and the other one will hold the device that captures the signal from the key fob. The thieves can then amplify the signal to make it strong enough to be able to bypass security systems inside your car.

Another method of securing key fobs is by blocking the communication between keyfob and the vehicle. Thieves use signal jammers that emit the same radio frequencies as the key fob. This confuses the signal, preventing it from reaching the car, thereby preventing the lock button from functioning.

Dealers in the auto industry must be on guard to safeguard their inventory as thieves get more sophisticated. Dealerships need to install high-security perimeter fences with cameras and secure entrances, so that thieves cannot drive flatbeds with vehicles after hours. They should also educate employees on proper key handling practices that include locking vehicles securely and storing them in a safe location when they are not in use.

Luckily, technology is working to fight these new thieves and prevent car thefts. Some car manufacturers are developing key fobs that have active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology that makes it more difficult for thieves to amplify the signal of the keys. In addition, Faraday cages can be used to stop the transmission of signals from a key fob the car. Other defences include etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the headlights, windows, and mirrors to prevent the reuse or re-sale of your vehicle.

Theft of VIN

Keyless entry is useful, but it also provides new opportunities for thieves to take vehicles. When your car recognises the signal that is sent by your remote or wireless key fob, it will unlock the door and start the engine. However, what happens if your car keys are stolen the signal isn't recognized by your car, it will be locked, but it won't start. This is because you need to have the key in your palm to press an appropriate button on the fob to start the starter.

Even when your car is parked, it's essential to keep your remote and key fob hidden. A criminal can hijack your signal by using a tiny transmitter. Then, he can open your door and leave without ever touching the actual key or ignition.

Criminals may even change the VIN and title of a stolen car to conceal their involvement. This technique, referred to as VIN-switching, is on the increase. Typically, criminals purchase damaged vehicles through auctions or police departments, and then alter the VIN. They then use the genuine VIN of a different brand and model to obtain a new registration and title, and then sell it to people who are not aware.

A popular method of deterring theft is to have your VIN written into the glass of your car. There are a number of companies that offer kits to do this and in some locations the police department or AAA offers this service for free. It's a bit odd that etching could deter thieves, as it makes your car difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. But, a professional thief is aware that etching is a significant stumbling block and will probably deter them from stealing your vehicle.

The NICB also offers a no-cost online VINCheck service to check whether your vehicle is reported as salvaged or stolen vehicle but has not yet been recovered. The service requires an authentic VIN to perform a search and is accessible on their website. In addition, a wide variety of crime-deterring products are available for your car keys stolen as well as visible and audible devices that serve as a deterrent to criminals. These include alarms and locks for the steering wheel as well as window engraving.