The 10 Most Scariest Things About Keyless Cars Being Stolen

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Keyless Cars Being Stolen in Minutes

Using equipment available for sale on the internet, criminals are focusing their efforts on keys-less vehicles, which can be taken away in a matter of minutes. Find out how thieves can bypass security features on your car and what you should do to safeguard it.

Keep your key fob in a faraday bag or an aluminium tin in order to block the signal. Consider installing an electronic lock for steering to prevent your car from being stolen.

Relay Theft

It's easy to forget about the dangers of cars that don't have keys. They can make your car vulnerable to high tech criminals. One of the latest hacking techniques used by thieves is known as "relay theft."

Two criminals could steal your car using this method. The first thief who is positioned near your house, uses equipment to boost the signal of the fob of a key. He then transmits the amplified signal to the second thief who is in close proximity to your car. The second thief then uses their device to imitate the fob's signal to open the car or to start the engine. This allows them to leave with the vehicle.

Online, these devices are available at a low cost. They can be utilized on any type of car, from the newest SUVs to the earliest Honda Civics. Certain types of vehicles are more at risk than others. Cars that are in high demand from thieves, whether due to their resale worth or the ease of dismantling components and are often targeted by criminals. This is why it is important to park in a safe area and make sure you don't leave anything valuable in the car (including your owner's manual which may contain a valet key).

In the UK the United Kingdom, thefts involving this method are at an all-time high according to tracking company Tracker UK. In July 2023, they were responsible for 98% of the stolen cars the company helped recover.

Experts recommend installing aftermarket security devices such as alarms and GPS trackers to decrease the chance of becoming a victim. They also suggest keeping keys in containers made of metal, signal-blocking bags or Faraday boxes which can help to stop relay attacks.

Dealerships can help protect their inventory by taking physical security measures, like perimeter fencing, surveillance camera systems and well-lit areas. They should also instruct their staff on how to handle keys and lockdown procedures to avoid theft. If they decide to sell older vehicles, they should look into a dealer-installed ignition immobilizer. This will stop thieves from driving away with the car after fooling the system into thinking it's still in the dealership lot.

Theft of Transponders

In order to stay up with the latest developments in technology and technology, thieves upgrade their equipment to match. One method criminals are using is referred to as a relay attack which is when two people work together to steal a car with a keyless. The thief is positioned in the vicinity of the victim's house using a device that detects a signal from the key fob. This signal is then relayed by a partner waiting close to the vehicle. The car will start if the copied signal is recognized. This has been documented on security cameras in homes, 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. In fact, the tracing firm Tracker UK reported that keyless thefts make up 98% of all the high-tech vehicles it helped recover last year. And older luxury cars with lower-end keyless systems are the most at risk, including Mercedes C- and E-Class, BMW 3 Series, Land Rover Discovery and Jaguar XF models.

Another way of stealing keys is code theft that can occur when you're not paying pay attention to where you put your key fob. For example, you might keep it in your pocket while you're at home and forget to take it when you leave. If your fob is in range of an in-home intelligent hub or security system, it can be hacked to gain access to the vehicle's control systems. A hacker with a solid understanding of electronics can then modify the car's software to do whatever they want it to do, for instance, to disable the ignition and then drive off.

These attacks pose a risk to anyone who owns a keyless car, but it's important to be aware and take steps to protect your vehicle. You can lower the risk of theft by parking your car in a gated or locked garage. If this isn't possible, install a motion-sensored video camera that can view your driveway. You can also purchase signal blocking items like boxes or bags that are designed to stop thieves from stealing the signals from your key fob in the event that they are close to a jammer.

Programming Theft

The technology in keyless cars makes them more comfortable for us, but it can also make it easier for thieves to take. The "relay attack" is a popular method to steal a car with keyless entry systems. It involves crooks working in pairs and using equipment to intercept the signal that your fob sends as it comes within the reach of the door or ignition to unlock and start your vehicle.

The keyless system relies upon low-power radio waves that only work if the fob is located close to the ignition or door. A skilled hacker can make use of specially-designed devices to enhance the connection between the fob and the vehicle, increasing the capabilities of the system. This enables a criminal to fool the vehicle into believing that the fob is within close proximity to start or unlock it, when it could be a few metres away in the victim's home or pocket.

Some cars have an extra security feature that blocks the ignition if the fob is too far away. However, this only works if the vehicle has been programmed to recognize the fob's signals at a specific frequency. Hackers who have the code for the car system are able to modify the key fob's programming so that it works at the frequency read more that the car has been programmed to recognize. This bypasses the security feature.

The On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD) is typically located under the steering wheel, can be used by car thieves to steal the code of your keyless transmission. This device, also known as a 'key programmer' can be purchased online for less that $1,000. This tool can download the car's particular information onto a blank key fob, permitting it to unlock and start your vehicle just like the genuine one would.

They are readily accessible online, and allow criminals to target a wide variety of makes and models. However, the most sought-after cars that have keyless entry are models from luxury brands like BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Jaguar and are the ones most frequently targeted by thieves. Tracker an insurance company discovered that luxury models were responsible for up to half of all high-tech thefts it helped to recover.

Theft of Lockout

Criminals are able to exploit the weaknesses of keyless entry systems. The traditional method of smashing a car's window and then hotwiring the vehicle is still common, but increasing numbers of thieves are turning to more sophisticated techniques that can steal vehicles without breaking into homes. According to data collected by the company that tracks Tracker the theft of cars has 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 only cheaper than traditional car thefts, they can be done in a matter minutes. A team of two thieves, for instance could employ a device that intercepts the signal from the keyfob and sends it directly to the transmitter in the hand of the other thief. The other thief is then able to unlock the car and drive away. The devices employed by these criminals are available for just $100, and they work well on a wide range of makes and models.

The thieves are now able to as well as using these advanced methods, encrypt the data that is sent from the key fob. They can then clone it and transfer it to an empty fob. These cloned keys will then be able to unlock and start vehicles, even if the original key is not present.

ADAC's research revealed that a large number of popular cars, including the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Prius are at risk of this kind of theft. In reality a single key could unlock multiple vehicles with this method, which means that it's no any longer necessary to target specific manufacturers or models.

To protect cars from these new threats, car manufacturers are now offering security measures. Kia for instance has created faraday pouches which can be tucked into the keyfob pocket of the driver's car to block signals and protect it from being stolen. Other options include creating spare keys and keeping them in secure and accessible places, installing surveillance cameras around your driveway and home and using apps to ensure that you do not leave your car unattended. Also, it's recommended to regularly check the status of your battery on your key fob to avoid it becoming dead.