10 Car Stolen Keyless Entry-Related Projects That Stretch Your Creativity
Keyless Entry and Car Theft
The number of vehicle thefts is increasing, and thieves are finding new ways to get into vehicles. Keyless entry is one of the most common methods.
There is no longer a time when thieves broke windows and wired vehicles to steal. They can now hack into the computer systems of vehicles in minutes.
Relay Attack
Since the introduction of technology called Push-to-Start millions of drivers have enjoyed the convenience of having the ability to start their car without needing a key. However, this same convenience can make vehicles more vulnerable to theft. The relay attack is a new method that thieves can employ to steal cars within minutes. This method makes use of an amplifier to record and amplify the signal sent by the key fob of your car. It allows thieves to unlock the vehicle and then drive away.
Relay attacks are a variation of an older technique called Man-in-the-Middle attacks. This type of attack is used in cybersecurity to intercept and alter the communications between two entities without either party realizing it. In a relay attack, the attacker uses an electronic device that can capture and transmit the signal from the fob of the key in your car to a second device in the vicinity. The second device is able to open the door and start the engine, thereby taking your vehicle away in a matter of minutes.
In order to carry out an attack via relay, criminals simply need a cheap, readily available device that can pick up and amplify the signal emanating from your key fob. Typically, thieves work in pairs. One person holds the relay amplifier, while the other is outside in front of the victim's home. The thief will then wave the device in the front of the house of the victim, which tricks the car stolen keyless entry into thinking the key is in range and allows it to be opened and started.
Some experts suggest storing your key fob in a metallic container, signal-blocking pouch, or Faraday bag whenever not in use to prevent this kind of theft. This is a basic but ineffective solution against modern relay devices. A steering wheel lock is a better option, as it physically stops the thief from driving the vehicle once it's been stolen car key what to do.
Many car manufacturers have attempted to tackle this problem by introducing features such as secure keyless entry systems, which use cryptographic techniques and time-sensitive codes to guard against relay attacks. Criminals have created devices that are able to 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 keyless technology.
Hacking
Many new cars come with keyless entry systems that permit drivers to open and start their vehicle without using the use of a key or button. However, these systems could be susceptible to a new type of theft. Thieves can employ electronic devices to copy the signal from the key fob and transmit it to a transmitter held by an accomplice standing close to the car. The thief then unlocks the vehicle and drives away. According to AAA this method is referred to as relay attack. It can be completed within 20-30 seconds.
Thieves can often use inexpensive devices that mimic the wireless signal from the key fob to record it and send it to an accomplice. The thief will then appear to be the owner of the car when the victim presses the key fob to begin or close the vehicle. They accomplish this by sending a signal that appears to the car's computer as an authentic signal.
The more sophisticated thieves have designed devices that can plug into the On-Board Diagnostics port (OBD), which is usually located beneath the steering wheel. This port allows mechanics to connect diagnostic tools. The criminal then downloads data from the computer in the car and creates an empty key fob that is compatible with the specifications of the car. This kind of hacking is possible with virtually all cars.
Some thieves have even used TikTok challenges to instruct people on how to build cheap amplifiers that boost the signal from an electronic key fob. They also allow an accomplice to unlock the car from a distance while it's in the driveway. This method has led to manufacturers like Kia and Toyota to perform software updates which block this vulnerability.
Experts suggest that you store your car keys in a trunk, or a space that is far from home to ensure that thieves isn't able to easily access the keys. You can also invest in RFID pouches that help to shield the signal and deter unauthorised use. These pouches can be purchased for just $10. Some come with metal mesh linings. Like your computer and phone it's essential to keep the software on your vehicle up-to date.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cards
The latest car key fobs use radio signals to communicate with the vehicle, allowing owners to unlock their vehicles and start them without needing to touch a key. Unfortunately, these new technologies also increase the risk of theft. Thieves can capture the signal from a key fob if it is placed on a table close to the front door of the home or in a pocket and they can clone the signal using devices that are the size of handheld gaming consoles called emulators. They can then open the my Car key fob was stolen (g28carkeys69632.Ssnblog.com) in minutes and drive away.
Typically, crooks work in pairs. The crooks usually operate in pairs. One of them will be in front of your home with a relay amplifier and the other will have the device that captures a signal from a keyfob. The thieves will then amplify the signal until it becomes strong enough to bypass the security systems in your vehicle.
Another technique that is popular is blocking the communication between key fob and the vehicle. The thieves use signal jammers which emit the same radio frequency as the key fob. This blocks the signal and prevents it from being recognized by the vehicle. The lock button is not working.
As thieves become more sophisticated in their tactics, auto dealers need to be alert in securing their inventory. Dealerships need to install high-security perimeter fences with cameras and secure entrances to ensure that thieves cannot drive flatbeds on cars at night. They should also educate employees on proper methods of handling keys and lock vehicles securely and storing them in a safe location when not in use.
Luckily, technology is working to fight these new thieves and to prevent car thefts. For instance, certain automobile manufacturers are creating key fobs that use active RFID chips with frequency-hopping technology to make it harder for thieves to amplify the signal coming from the key. Faraday cages are another method to prevent signals from a keyfob's to the car. Other defences include etching the last seven numbers of your vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the windows, headlights and mirrors to stop sale or reuse of your vehicle.
Theft of VIN
While keyless entry is great for convenience but it also opens up new opportunities for thieves to steal vehicles. Your car will unlock the doors and start its engine when it recognizes the signal sent by your wireless remote or key fob. If the signal isn't recognized by your car stolen lost spare key, it will be locked, but it won't start. This is because you have to have the key in your palm to press a button on the fob to activate the starter.
This is why it's essential to keep your remote and key fob away from view even when your vehicle is stationed. A criminal can use a small transmitter to intercept your signal and steal it. He will then be able to unlock your door without touching the ignition or key.
In some cases criminals may be capable of swapping a vehicle's VIN and title to hide their involvement in the theft of the car. This practice is known as VIN switching and is on the rise. The thieves typically purchase damaged vehicles at auction or from the police department and change the VIN. They then make use of a legitimate VIN from a different model and make an attempt to get a new title and registration and then sell the vehicle to unsuspecting buyers.
The VIN is a very popular method to deter theft. Numerous companies offer kits for this, and in certain places the police department or AAA provides this service free of charge. It seems counterintuitive that etching could deter thieves, as it makes your car more difficult to sell to chop shops and other dealers. A professional thief would avoid your vehicle because they know that etching can be a major stumbling-block.
The NICB offers a no-cost VINCheck online tool to find out if your vehicle was ever reported as stolen key fob or salvaged, but was not yet recovered. The service requires an active VIN to perform a search and is available through their website. In addition, a large range of products to deter crime are available for your car that include audible and visible devices that serve as a deterrent for criminals. Some of them include the locking of your steering wheel as well as alarms and window etching.