9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Keyless Cars Being Stolen

Keyless Cars Being Stolen in Minutes

Criminals target cars with keys that are able to be stolen car keys from house in minutes using equipment sold online. Learn how thieves can evade security features in your car and what to do if your car keys are stolen you should do to secure it.

Keep your key fob inside a faraday bag, or an aluminum tin to block the signal. Consider installing a steering lock to stop your vehicle from being driven away.

Relay Theft

It's easy to overlook the dangers of cars that don't have keys. They can expose your car to cybercriminals with high-tech devices. Relay theft is one of the latest hacking techniques that thieves use.

This method lets two criminals work in tandem to steal your car. One thief is at your home and is equipped with a device that amplifies the signal for the fob of a key, and then transmit the amplified signal over a distance to the other thief who is standing near your car. The second thief could use their device to mimic the signal of your fob and then 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 installed on any vehicle, whether it is the latest SUV or the oldest Honda Civic. Certain vehicles are at greater risk than others. Cars that are highly sought-after from thieves, whether due to their resale value or the ease of dismantling parts and are often targeted by criminals. This is why you must park in a well-lit spot and make sure you do not leave valuable items in the vehicle (including the owner's manual, which may include a valet key).

According to the tracking company Tracker UK, the UK has witnessed a record number of thefts using this technique. 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 such as alarms and GPS trackers to lower the risk of becoming a victim. They also suggest storing keys in containers made of metal, signal-blocking bags or Faraday boxes which can help to prevent relay attacks.

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

Transponder Theft

In order to stay up with the latest developments in technology, thieves upgrade their equipment to be compatible with the latest technology. One technique used by criminals is referred to as a relay attack, which is when two individuals collaborate to steal a keyless car. A thief waits outside the home of the victim with a device which detects a signal coming from the key fob. The signal is relayed to a friend who is close to the car. If the copied signal is detected the door is opened and the car begins to move and the car starts - without the necessity for the actual key to be in the car. This has been captured on security cameras at home, which show the cars being driven off in seconds.

Even luxury cars that are older are at risk. Tracker UK, a tracking company in the UK stated that 98% of high-tech vehicles it recovered last year were robbed using keyless systems. Older luxury cars with keyless systems that are not as sophisticated are most at risk such as Mercedes C- and E-Classes, BMW 3 Series models, Land Rover Discovery, and Jaguar XF.

Code theft is another way to steal a car key. This could occur if you don't pay attention to where you put your key fob. For example, you might keep it in your pocket when you're at home and forget to pick it up when you leave. If your fob is in the range of an intelligent hub or home security system, you are able to hack it to gain access to vehicle control systems. A hacker with a solid understanding of electronics can then reprogram the car to perform whatever they want it to accomplish, like turning off the ignition and drive off.

It is essential to secure your vehicle and be aware of attacks. You can lower the risk of theft by parking your vehicle in a secured or gated garage. If this is not possible you can install a motion sensored video camera that can view your driveway. You can also purchase signal-blocking accessories such as boxes and bags, which are designed to stop thieves from stealing your key fob's signals if they are within the vicinity of an electronic jammer.

Theft of programming

The technology that is used in keyless vehicles makes them more convenient for us, however it can also make them more easy for thieves to steal. The "relay attack" is a popular method to steal a car with keyless entry systems. It involves criminals 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, allowing it to unlock and start your vehicle.

The keyless system is based on radio waves with low power that only work if the fob is located close to the doors or ignition. A skilled hacker, however can make use of specially-designed equipment to amplify the communication between the fob and the vehicle, increasing the capabilities of the system. This can be used to trick the vehicle to believe that the fob is within close proximity to begin or unlock it, even though it could be mere meters away in the victim's home or pocket.

Certain vehicles have an additional security feature that turns off the ignition when 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. If a hacker is able to obtain the coding for the car's system, they could reprogram the fob to function at whatever frequency the car is programmed to recognize and thus bypass this 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, referred to as a key programmer, is available on the internet for less than $1,000. The program can then transfer the car's unique information onto an unlocked key fob, which allows it to unlock and start your car just as the real one would.

These tools are easily accessible online and allow criminals to target a variety of types and makes. However, the most popular vehicles with keyless entry are the ones from premium brands such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Jaguar, and these are the most frequently targeted by thieves. In fact the insurance company Tracker has found that luxury models account for more than 50% of the high-tech theft claims that it helps recover.

Lockout Theft

Criminals can easily exploit the weaknesses of keyless entry systems. The old method of smashing the car's windows and hotwiring the vehicle is still used, but more and more criminals are turning to advanced techniques that can steal vehicles without breaking into homes. In fact, according to data collected by tracking company Tracker, car thefts have reached an all-time high in the U.K., with keyless car thefts accounting for a significant portion of the total.

Many of these innovative techniques are not just less expensive than traditional car theft but they can be done in a matter of minutes. For example, a team of two thieves could employ a device to intercept the signal from the key fob and send it directly to the transmitter in the other thief's hand. The other thief is then able to unlock the car and drive away. These devices can be bought at a cost of just $100 and can be used on various automobile models.

In addition to these high-tech methods, thieves are now capable of capturing the data sent by a key fob that they can copy and upload to an empty key fob. The cloned keys will be capable of unlocking and starting vehicles, even if the original key is not present.

ADAC's research revealed that hundreds of popular car models, such as the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Golf are vulnerable to this kind of theft. In reality one key can unlock multiple vehicles using this method, which means that it is no any longer required to target specific manufacturers or models.

Manufacturers of cars now offer preventative measures to protect their vehicles from these new threats. Kia for instance has created an faraday pouch that can be put in the keyfob of the driver's pocket to block signals and stop it from being stolen. Other options include making spare keys and keeping them in secure and accessible locations, installing surveillance cameras around the driveway and at home and using apps to ensure you don't leave your car key stolen from house unattended. It's important to monitor the battery level of your key fob frequently to ensure it doesn't go flat.