Posted on 05/16/2022 6:01:34 AM PDT by Red Badger
Car thieves are turning to a two-person system that, with the help of technology, allows them to pop the locks on cars with keyless entry and then – if the vehicle has keyless start – drive off.
“They’re very bold,” Jason Flenniken of south Austin, Texas said, according to WOIA-TV.
Flenniken said his neighborhood has been hit by thieves using what are known as relay devices to get into locked vehicles.
“There were at least three people that were roaming around our particular street,” said Flenniken. “I know in the neighborhood that night we had a lot more valuables stolen, and two actual cars were taken that night.”
Two people are needed to make a relay theft work.
One goes to the front door of an unsuspecting house, because many people store key fobs near the front door.
Thief One captures and amplifies the signal from the fob just inside the door.
WARNING: Car thieves have been using “relay attacks,” where they use equipment to remotely amplify wireless key fob signals to gain access to a victim’s car & start the ignition. Here’s how to prevent it. #SFPD https://t.co/SSfHC4NQlh pic.twitter.com/iZhBBc6uZ3
— San Francisco SAFE (@SFSAFE) January 24, 2020
Meanwhile, Thief Two is waiting by the car, holding a second hacking device near the car door.
The car, engineered to do as the key fob says, opens the door, giving the thieves the opportunity to either take the car’s content or, in some cases, the car itself.
“With a relay attack all you’re really doing is kind of putting an extension cord on your key fob,” said Flenniken. “It’s too easy to do, unfortunately.”
“A lot of drivers are not aware of this ability for thieves to steal their vehicle by simply just standing outside of their home,” Daniel Armbruster of AAA Texas said.
“This can happen to you. It’s not something that’s just a high-tech idea or sci-fi fantasy. This really is happening and, of course, many drivers are finding out the hard way,” he said.
Armbruster said one simple solution is the best defense.
“Don’t leave your key fob in an area near the front door,” said Armbruster. “When you’re at home, store your car keys or fob in a metal cabinet or with some sort of device that protects the radio signal from being intercepted.”
Flenniken said that from now on, his key fob will go in a metal box to block the fob’s signal from being transmitted.
“We actually ordered one. Put that by your front door and just drop your keys in that,” said Flenniken. “You have to set yourself up to not be an easy target.”
That's why we don't live in the cities, isn't it!
More and more, I'm glad to be living in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by neighbors who are armed to the teeth--neighbors of the old school, though many are quite young, peaceful, kind, honest people, who have quietly withdrawn from the outside decadence but woe to anyone who threatens them or the rest of us.
That’s the catch. They don’t have to break in. The data from the key can be stolen from outside the front door if the key is close enough to the door.
I’m not sure how proximity keys work. But that is exactly what they do. They sense the key close to the car and the car unlocks. I suspect it’s some sort of RFID chip.
Just checked with our favorite gearhead/mechanic/autotech. He says the info is accurate.
Would you like him to give you a call...?
Why, so some idiot can waste more of my time?
Couldn’t agree more.
I live in a neighborhood of Russians and Eastern Europeans - they escaped commie dictators and oppressive governments and don’t want the same here - they want what my family wants - peace and quiet, a safe area for themselves, their children and elderly, responsive police, good schools and parks not taken over by homeless (as so many have been in this part of California). So far so good. They are all friendly and kind - and very grateful to be here.
I am sure all them are armed - and ready.
Unfortunately, I have immediate family in the city of San Francisco - I stay outside of the city and either they visit me or I über in.
You didn’t answer the question. Why do you use blogs as sources of information?
Thanks, null. You got my attention. I’m sure that would happen. Maybe just leaving the keys in a faraday bag would do it. Does that work?
Rolling codes are not a new thing - but the thing is, the algorithm for the rolling code is known. This is how aftermarket companies are able to make new fobs to replace OEM ones and have them match up with the OEM security computer. If I have a rolling code from your existing key fob, I can start to predict the next code. If I have multiple rolling code samples, I can use a computer to generate new valid codes and your car is now mine.
Rolling codes prevent “dumb” playback attempts, where you simply record and playback the code. They do not prevent attacks where the rolling codes are extrapolated.
They do periodically transmit and they can certainly be tricked into responding if you amplify the car’s broadcast on a keyless-go car.
See my post above. This is a vulnerability of keyless-go cars that you don’t have to press a button to unlock. How do you think the car knows you’re in the area?
See my reply above, too.
So now I store the key fob in my microwave oven? Cool!
Why the F would they transmit a continuous signal? You only need a signal when you’re locking and unlocking the GD car doors!
Then press “POPCORN”...........................
Geek nerd Jimmy needs to be hanged from the neck until dead alongside the car thieves.
Unfortunately, my son's wife insisted on staying there; so I have family there also. So far the children have resisted the madness, despite the relentless indoctrination. Some of my more distant relatives have not been so lucky--and so wise.
The dedication, tech know-how and determination suggests these people could succeed at any number of legitimate endeavors.
Keyless go - where the car unlocks as you approach it without having to hit a button, and can be driven off without putting a key in a slot.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.