Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry
If car owners throw their keys on the table or at their doors, they could not realize that they are allowing thieves to steal 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 in search of a fob to respond. If the signal can be recorded and recreated, it could be used unlock the car and start it.
Relay Attack
Picture your car parked securely in the driveway, with the key fob tucked away in your home. You're confident that your vehicle is secure, but unseen by you sophisticated thieves are planning a heist. Instead of slamming windows and jiggling locks, thieves are leveraging technology to gain access to cars through digital chinks in their armor. This method of stealing vehicles with keys is known as relay theft.
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 stop unauthorized keyless entry, the RF transmitters in the key fob as well as in the car are programmed to only be activated when they're within certain distance of each other. However, a thief can bypass this limitation with an attack known as the'relay attack'.
Two people are required to do this: one stands close to the car and uses a device that captures a digitalized version of the the key fob. The other, in the vicinity of the owner's house is using a different device to transmit the key fob signal back to the car. This trick tricks the car into thinking the key fob is close enough to allow it to unlock and start it up.
This type of heist was once a costly process that required expensive equipment. It is now possible to purchase an inexpensive relay transmitter online and pull off an heist in just a few minutes. This is why car thieves love it.
All modern cars with keyless access are vulnerable. Certain cars are more susceptible to this type than others. Researchers have tested 237 popular cars and found that all of them are susceptible to being stolen using this method.
Tesla vehicles are believed to be less prone to this kind of theft. However, the company hasn't yet implemented UWB technology that would allow it to conduct distance checks and stop attacks via relay. The company has stated that they will make this happen in the near future, but until then they are still vulnerable. That's why it's essential to adopt a proactive approach to your security in your car and install an anti-theft tool that safeguards your keys and car from these types of attacks.
CAN Injection Attack
Modern cars are designed to protect themselves from thieves by exchanging cryptographic data with the key to prove that it's genuine. The system is considered to be secure, but criminals have found ways to circumvent it. They fake the identity of a smart key, transmit messages to the vehicle and then drive away. To do that they gain access to the smart key's internal communication network.
Nowadays, the majority of automobiles are equipped with between 20 to 200 electronic control units (or ECUs) that manage different aspects of the car's operation. They communicate using a network called CAN bus. To ensure that power consumption is low, these ECUs are put into the sleep mode at low power. This mode is activated when they receive a 'wake up' frame. These frames are typically sent from the door or smart key receiver ECU. These messages are not always authenticated or encrypted. This means that thieves can take them over with an inexpensive and simple device.
To do this, they look for a place where they can directly connect to the CAN bus connection wires. They're usually hidden in the headlights or in front of the car, and can be accessed by pulling the bumper and cutting holes in the headlamp assembly to expose the wires. The criminals then use a device called a CAN injection attacker to send out fake messages that fool the security get more info systems of the car to unlock it and disable its engine immobilizer.
The devices are available for sale on the Dark Web, and work for the majority of major car manufacturers which include BMW, Cadillac, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen, Maserati, and many more. Researchers who discovered the CAN Injection attack recommend that all car makers fix this in their existing models. However, the thieves will continue to steal whatever they can. We can prevent this by installing mechanical safety measures like Discloks in all our vehicles and parking them in well-lit and visible areas.
Jamming the Signal
In a variant of the relay attack, which makes use of a device that is able to block the signal sent by the key fob when the car is locked. The device could be found in the pocket of a burglar in a parking space or in a hiding spot close to the driveway that is being targeted. When owners press the lock button on their fobs and walk away, they don't think about whether or not their car is actually locks. The device of the crook blocks the signal that locks the vehicle. Thus, thieves are able to leave the vehicle.
They also use devices that amplify signals from the key fob to unlock vehicles. They may even do this while the key is in the pocket of the driver or hanging from a hook inside the house. Once the car has been locked, hackers can use an ordinary diagnosis port to program a blank fob.
Car manufacturers have developed various anti-theft devices to guard against these kinds of attacks. However, criminals are constantly trying to beat these measures.
For instance, they've been using devices that transmit on the same frequency as remote key fobs to intercept their signals. The thieves can then copy the unlock code of the key fob and then start the car using this fake signal.
This technique is especially popular in the US and Europe where a lot of cars are equipped with wireless technology that allows owners to unlock and start their vehicles by using a mobile application from their phones. This technology is expected to become more popular as more and more manufacturers attempt to link their vehicles to owners' smartphones.
In addition to installing anti-theft technologies in vehicles, it's important for drivers to leverage best practices when parking their vehicles. It is not advisable to leave the key fobs in ignition and secure the car when not in it. If possible, they should also use the gearstick or steering locking device. They should also think about installing a tracking device to their vehicle in the event that it gets stolen.
Flat Battery
This type of attack occurs more often than people realize. The thieves use cheap devices that extend the signal from your key fob in order to unlock and start your car when it's off. They then simply drive the car around the corner or onto a trailer to take off with it. It is possible to protect your car from this by installing an interrupter for the starter circuit. Simpler versions come with an ON/OFF button that interrupts the circuit. It is priced at around $15 and is simple to install.
Car thieves are always seeking new ways to rob vehicles. The police as well as car manufacturers and insurance companies are always trying to keep up to their tactics and provide better anti-theft systems for the latest cars. But that doesn't stop the thieves who are able be quick to adapt and discover ways to bypass the latest anti-theft measures.
For instance, many thieves use devices that operate on the same frequency as the fob in order to block the signal. The device is tucked away in the pocket or close to the vehicle, and stops the fob from sending the lock command to the car. This can be accomplished in just a few seconds. The device is inexpensive and readily available on the internet.
Another strategy is to hack into the car's computer system. This is more difficult, but possible. All cars have an diagnostic port, and hackers have created devices that connect to them and let them access the car's software. They can then program the fob with blank code to work. It is also possible to do this on older cars, although it is more difficult to do so without removing the ignition lock.
As more vehicles are linked to the phones of drivers, this method may be more popular. Once a burglar has the username and password to a vehicle application, they can unlock or start the vehicle with the app. You can help defend yourself from these kinds of attacks by not leaving valuables in your car and parking it in a garage or secured parking lot.