15 Documentaries That Are Best About Car Stolen Keyless Entry

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Keyless Entry and Car Theft

Car theft is increasing and thieves have discovered new ways to gain access to vehicles. One of the most well-known methods is keyless entry.

The days of stealing cars through breaking windows and hotwiring them are over. They can now hack into the computer systems of vehicles in a matter of minutes.

Relay Attack

Since the introduction of technology called Push-to-Start millions of drivers have benefited from being able to start their vehicle without having to reach for a key. However, this same convenience makes cars more vulnerable. Particularly, thieves have been able employ a new method known as the relay attack to steal cars in a matter of seconds. This method uses an amplifier to amplify and capture the signal generated by the car's keyfob. It allows thieves to unlock the car and then drive away.

The relay attack is an alteration of an older technique known as Man-in-the Middle attacks. This type of attack can be used in cybersecurity to snoop on communications between two entities and alter it without either party knowing. In a relay attack, the attacker uses an electronic device to record and transmit the signal from the key fob in your car to a second device located nearby. The second device is able to open the door and begin the engine, effectively taking your car in a matter of seconds.

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

Some experts suggest storing your key fob in a steel container, signal-blocking pouch, or Faraday bag whenever not in use to avoid this kind of theft. This is a simple 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 driving the vehicle once it was stolen.

Many car manufacturers have attempted to tackle this issue by introducing features like secure keyless entry systems, which use encryption techniques and time-sensitive codes to protect against relay attacks. Criminals have created devices that can defeat these measures. As a result, the race is on to discover a way to stop criminals who use relays without compromising the convenience of technology that is keyless.

Hacking

A lot of new cars come with keyless entry systems, which allow drivers to open and start their car without the need of a physical key or button. These systems are vulnerable to a new kind of theft. The thieves may make use of electronic devices that replicate the signal of the key fob and then transmit it to a accomplice who is holding an electronic transmitter near the vehicle. The thief then has the ability to unlock the vehicle and drive away. According to AAA, this method is referred to as relay attack. It can be accomplished in 20 to 30 second.

Thieves typically use cheap devices to imitate the wireless key fob signal to capture it and transmit it to an accomplice. The thief can then pretend to be the owner of the vehicle when the victim presses the key fob button to start or close the vehicle. They do this by sending a response that appears to the car system as a genuine signal.

The more sophisticated thieves have designed devices that plug into the On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD), which is typically located beneath the steering wheel. This port permits mechanics to connect diagnostic tools. The thief downloads the information from the computer of the car and creates an empty key fob that is compatible with the car's specifications. This kind of hacking can be done on almost all vehicles.

Some thieves have even used TikTok challenges to teach people how to create inexpensive amplifiers that increase the signal from an electronic key fob. They also allow an accomplice to unlock the car from a distance, while it's parked in the driveway. This method has led companies like Kia to issue software updates that eliminate the vulnerability.

Experts suggest keeping your car keys farther away from your home, and even in the trunk, so thieves have a difficult to gain access to the keys. 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 just $10. Some have metal mesh linings. It's also important to keep your car's software up to date, just as you would with your smartphone and computer.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards

The most recent car key fobs connect to vehicles using radio signals, allowing owners of cars to open and start their vehicles without touching a key. These new technologies increase the likelihood of theft. The signal from a keyfob can be recorded if the device is placed on a desk near the front door or in a wallet. It is then possible to copy it using simple devices, called emulators, that are the size of handheld consoles. From there, they are able to open the car and drive it away in just a few minutes.

The crooks usually work in pairs. The crooks usually work in pairs. One will be in front of your home with a relay amplifier, and the other will have the device that captures the signal from the keyfob. The thieves can then amplify the signal until it becomes strong enough to evade security systems inside your car.

Another method of securing key fobs is by blocking the communication between key fob and the vehicle. The thieves do this using signal jammers that emit the same radio frequency as the key fob. This confuses the signal, which prevents it from being received by the car, which prevents the lock button from functioning.

As thieves become more sophisticated in their methods, auto dealers need to be alert in securing their inventory. Dealerships must install high-security perimeter fencing with cameras and a secure entryway so that thieves can't drive in flatbeds and vehicles after hours. They should also instruct employees on proper key handling practices that include locking vehicles securely and placing them in a secure location when not in use.

Fortunately, technology can help stop car thefts and fight the new thieves. Some car manufacturers are developing keyfobs with active RFID chips and frequency-hopping technology, which makes it difficult for thieves to amplify the signal of the keys. Faraday cages are another way to stop signals from a keyfob to the car. Other options include engraving the last seven digits of your vehicle Identification Number (VIN), on the windows, headlights, and mirrors in order to prevent the resale or reuse of your vehicle.

VIN Theft

Keyless entry is useful, but it also provides new opportunities for thieves to steal cars. When your car recognises the signal from your wireless remote or key fob, it will unlock the door and start the engine. If the signal is not acknowledged, the vehicle will still lock, but it will not start. You must hold the key to turn on the starter.

Even when your car is parked, it's essential to keep your remote and key fob from being seen. A criminal can use a small transmitter device to pick up your signal and then steal it. He can then open your door without touching the ignition or key.

In some cases, criminals are even able to swap out the vehicle's VIN and title to conceal their involvement in the theft of the vehicle. This technique, referred to as VIN-switching is on the increase. The thieves will usually buy damaged vehicles through auctions or the police department, and then alter the VIN. They then use the legal VIN of a different brand and model to obtain an updated registration and title, and then sell it to people who are not aware.

The VIN is a very popular method to deter theft. Many companies provide kits for this, and in some locations, the police department or AAA offers this service at no cost. It seems counterintuitive that etching would deter thieves, as it makes your car more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. But, a professional thief knows that etching will be an important obstacle and will probably deter them from stealing your vehicle.

The NICB also offers a free online VINCheck service to check whether your vehicle has been reported as a salvaged or stolen and is not website yet recovered. The service is available only on their website and requires a valid VIN. There are a myriad of crime-deterring devices for your vehicle. These include audible as well as visual devices that deter criminals. These include the locking of your steering wheel and alarms as well as window etching.