Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry
If car owners throw their keys on the table or near their doors, they could unknowingly be allowing thieves to hijack their signal. This relay attack is a high-tech technique used by criminals to steal keyless vehicles.
All keyless ignition cars emit a low-power radio signal seeking a compatible fob that can respond. If the signal is captured and recreated, it can be used unlock the car, and also to start it.
Relay Attack
Imagine your car safely parked in your driveway with your key fob inside your home. You're sure that your car is secure, but unseen by you, sophisticated thieves are plotting a heist. Instead of breaking windows or jimmying locks, they are using technology to gain access to cars through digital chinks in their armor. Known as relay theft, it's becoming a common method of stealing vehicles with keyless entry.
Cars equipped with keyless entry are designed to function using an electronic signal that is sent by the car's remote control (RF) transmitter to the owner's key fob. To ensure that keyless entry is not unauthorized the RF transmitters on the key fob and in the car are programmed to only be activated when they're within certain distance of each other. However, a thief can override this restriction using a technique known as the'relay attack'.
To accomplish this, two people work together one is positioned by the car, using a device that captures an electronic version of the key fob's signal. The other, who is at the owner's house, uses a second device to transmit the key fob's signal to the car. This trickery fools the car into believing the key fob has traveled a distance sufficient to allow the vehicle to start and unlock. vehicle.
This kind of heist used to require expensive equipment. But now, you can buy a relay transmitter on the low cost online and conduct the heist in just a few minutes. This is the reason it's well-liked by car thieves.
While certain vehicles are less vulnerable to this kind of theft than others, all modern vehicles that have keyless entry are vulnerable. Researchers have tested 237 popular cars and found that all of them are susceptible to being stolen through this method.
Tesla cars are said to be less vulnerable to this type of theft, but the company has not yet implemented UWB features that could effectively check distances on the car's signal and stop relay attacks. The company has said it will make this happen in the near future, but until then, they remain vulnerable. Installing an anti-theft system that protects both your car keys and your keys against such a threat is a proactive method to ensure the security of your vehicle.
CAN Injection Attack
Modern vehicles can defend themselves against thieves by transferring encrypted messages using the key to confirm its authenticity. The system is believed to be secure, but criminals have found ways to circumvent it. They pretend to be a smart key, send messages to the vehicle and then drive away. To do this, they gain access to the smart keys' internal communications network.
Today, most cars are fitted with between 20 and 200 electronic control units (or ECUs) that manage different aspects of the car's operation. They communicate with one another using an electronic network referred to as CAN bus. These ECUs are put into a low power sleep mode to decrease their power consumption. This mode is activated when ECUs receive a "wake up" frame. These frames are usually sent by the ECU that controls the smart key or door. However the messages aren't usually encrypted or authenticated so they can be intercepted by criminals who have a low-cost and basic device.
They look for a place that allows them to connect directly to the wires for CAN connection. They usually hide in the headlights, or in other locations in the front of the vehicle. To get them, you must remove the bumper and make holes in the headlamp assemblies. The thieves then employ a device dubbed an CAN injection attacker to send fake messages that can trick the car's security systems into unlocking it and disengaging its engine immobilizer.
These devices are for purchase on the Dark Web, and work for all major car manufacturers including BMW, Cadillac, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen, Maserati, and more. The researchers who discovered this CAN Injection attack are recommending that all car makers address the issue in their current models, but the reality is that the thieves will continue to take anything they can get their hands on. The best thing we can do is attempt to stop this from happening by installing security measures that are mechanical like Discloks on all cars, and making sure that they're always located in areas with adequate lighting that are clearly visible to passers-by.
Jamming the Signal
In a variant of the relay attack, which employs a device, thieves can jam the signal from the key fob when the vehicle is locked. The device could be in the pocket or hidden the location of a thief in a parking lot, or in the driveway being targeted. When owners press the lock button on their fobs, and then walk away they don't consider whether or not their car is actually locks. The device used by the crook blocks the signal that locks the vehicle. Therefore, thieves could leave the vehicle.
They also make use of devices that amplify signals from the key fob to unlock vehicles. The crooks are able to do this even if the key is inside a driver's pocket or hanging on an outside hook in the home. When the car is locked, they can use an ordinary diagnostic port or computer hacker to program the blank key fob and gain control of the vehicle.
Automobile manufacturers have developed various anti-theft devices to safeguard against these types of attacks. But thieves always come up with new ways to beat these measures.
They've been using devices that transmit at the same frequency as remote keyfobs in order to intercept signals. The thieves then copy the unlock code from the key fob and begin the vehicle with this fake signal.
This technique is particularly popular in the US in which many vehicles come with wireless technology. Owners can start and unlock their car through a mobile application from their mobile. This technique is likely to increase in popularity as more car manufacturers attempt to link their cars with their owners phones.
In addition to installing anti-theft technologies in vehicles, it's vital for drivers to follow the best practices when they park their vehicles. It is not a good idea to leave key fobs in the ignition. They should always ensure that their car is securely locked when they're not there and should make use of the steering wheel or a gearstick lock, if it is possible. They should also consider installing a tracking device to their car in case it is stolen.
Flat Battery
This kind of attack happens more often than we think. Thieves employ inexpensive devices to extend the signal from your key fob to open and start a car even when it's turned off. They then drive the car around the corner or onto a trailer to leave with it. It is possible to protect your car from this by installing an interrupter switch for the starter circuit. The simplest ones just have an ON/OFF switch that shuts off the starter circuit. It's about $15 and is easy enough to install by yourself.
Car thieves are always searching for new ways to take vehicles. Police, car manufacturers and insurance companies are always trying to keep up with the latest methods and offer better anti theft systems for modern vehicles. But this doesn't stop thieves who can easily adapt and find ways around the latest anti-theft technology.
Many thieves jam the signal using devices that use the same radio frequency as the fob. The device is placed in the pocket or close to the vehicle, and stops the fob from transmitting the signal to the car. This can be done within minutes. The website device is affordable and easily available on the internet.
Hacking the computer system of the car is another option. This is more difficult but nevertheless possible. Hackers have developed devices that connect to the diagnostic port of all cars and allow them to connect to the software. They can then program a blank fob to work. It is possible to do this on older cars as well, but it's more difficult without taking out the ignition.
As more vehicles are connected to the phones of drivers the method is likely to be more popular. Once a criminal has the username and password to the vehicle app they are able to unlock the car or start it using the app on their phone. You can guard yourself by not leaving valuables in your car and also by parking in garages.