12 Companies Are Leading The Way In 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 in just a few minutes. Find out how thieves are getting around security features and how you can do to secure your vehicle.

Keep your key fob in a faraday pouch or aluminum tins to block its signal. Also, consider fitting a lock for the steering wheel to stop your car from being taken away.

Relay Theft

The convenience of keyless vehicles can make it easy to forget that they can also make your car vulnerable to hackers with the latest technology. One of the latest techniques for hacking that thieves employ is known as "relay theft."

Two criminals can steal your car using this method. The first thief who is positioned near your home, utilizes equipment to boost the signal from the key fob. He then transmits this amplified signal to the second thief who is standing near your car. The second thief could make use of their device to mimic your fob's signal and unlock the car or start the engine which allows them to drive off with the vehicle.

On the internet devices are accessible at a low cost. They can be fitted to any vehicle, regardless of whether it is the latest SUV or the earliest Honda Civic. Certain cars are more at risk than others. Cars that are highly sought-after from thieves, either due to their resale value 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 make sure you don't leave anything valuable in the vehicle (including your owner's manual which may contain the 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 percent of the stolen vehicles that the company was able to recover.

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 pouches or Faraday box, which will prevent relay attacks.

Dealerships can help protect their inventory by installing physical security measures, including perimeter fencing, surveillance cameras and well-lit areas. They should also train their employees on how to handle keys and lockdown procedures in order to prevent thefts. If they are selling older vehicles and want to consider installing an ignition immobilizer by the dealer. This will stop thieves from stealing the car after fooling the system into thinking it's still parked on the dealership lot.

Transponder Theft

In order to keep up with the latest technology the thieves update their equipment to be compatible with the latest technology. Criminals use a relay attack to steal cars that are keyless. Two people collaborate. The thief is in front of the house of the victim with a device that picks up the signal from a key fob, and then relayed to a partner who is seated near the vehicle. If the copied signal is detected, the door unlocks and the car begins to move and the car starts - without the requirement for the actual key to be in the car. Security cameras in homes has revealed this happening with stolen cars being driven away in seconds.

This is a growing threat to owners of all kinds and models, putting older luxury cars at risk. Tracker UK, a tracking company in the UK said that 98% of the high-tech vehicles it found last year were robbed using 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 keyless theft is code theft that can occur when you're not paying attention to where you place your key fob. For instance, you may place it in your pocket while you're at home and forget to take it when you leave. If your fob is within range of an intelligent hub or home security system, you could hack it to gain access to vehicle control systems. A hacker with a solid understanding of electronics can reprogram the vehicle to do what they want, like disabling ignition and driving away.

These attacks pose a risk to anyone who owns keys-less cars However, it's crucial to be aware here and take steps to protect your car. You can reduce the danger by parking in a secure garage or gated secure car park. If that's not possible you could consider installing a motion-sensored camera that has a view of your driveway. You can also buy signal-blocking accessories like boxes and bags, which are designed to stop thieves from stealing your key fob's signals if they're in close proximity to an electronic jammer.

Programming Theft

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

The keyless system works by relying on low-power radio signals that only operate when the key fob is near the doors or ignition. A clever hacker, however can make use of specially-designed devices to amplify the communication between the fob and the vehicle, extending the range of the system. This allows criminals to trick the vehicle into believing that the fob is near enough to allow it to start or unlock it even though it could be just a few feet away from the victim's home or inside their pocket.

Certain cars come with security features that prevent ignition when the key fob is not close enough. However this feature only works if the vehicle has been programmed so it is able to recognize the signal of the fob at a certain frequency. Hackers who have the code for the car system are able to modify the key fob's programming so that it functions at the frequency that the car is programmed to recognize. This bypasses the security feature.

Criminals can get the coding of your car's keyless transmission simply by installing a device called a "key programmer" which can be purchased on the internet for less than $1,000 to the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, usually located beneath the steering wheel. This tool is able to download the specific information about your car to a blank keyfob, which allows the fob to be unlocked and start the car as if it were the real thing.

They are easily available on the internet and allow criminals to target many different makes and models. The most well-known keys-free entry vehicles are those made by luxury manufacturers like BMW Audi Mercedes and Jaguar. These are the ones that are targeted the most. In fact, the insurance company Tracker has found that luxury models account for up to 50% of all high-tech theft cases it helps to recover.

Theft of a Lockout

Although keyless entry cars are a fantastic convenience, it doesn't require any experience to spot weaknesses in the system. While the old method of smashing car windows and hotwiring cars is still popular, more and the thieves are using advanced methods that allow them to rob cars without entering homes. According to data from 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 large proportions of the total.

Many of these new techniques are not only less expensive than traditional car theft but they can be done in just a few minutes. A team of two thieves, for instance could use devices that capture the signal from the keyfob and sends it directly to the transmitter in the hands of the other person who is stealing. This enables the other criminal to unlock the vehicle and then drive away. The tools used by criminals can be bought for just $100 and work well with a variety of makes and models.

The thieves are now able to as well as using these high-tech techniques, capture the data sent from the key fob. They can then clone the data and upload it to a blank fob. These keys that have been cloned will be capable of unlocking and launching a vehicle, even if the original key isn't present.

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

To help keep cars safe from these new threats, car manufacturers are now offering preventative measures. Kia, for example, has developed faraday pouches which can be tucked into the keyfob of the driver's pocket to block signals and protect it from being stolen. Other options include creating spare keys and placing them in secure but accessible places and installing surveillance cameras around your driveway and at home, and using apps that ensure you do not leave your car unattended. It's important to check the battery level of your key fob regularly to ensure it doesn't go flat.