- Car thieves can use relay devices to amplify the signal from your wireless key fob and use it to unlock your car, even if it’s inside your home.
- Storing your key fob in a Faraday bag or using a physical steering wheel lock can protect you from car theft.
- As technology evolves, so do criminal techniques. Staying informed is another important way to protect yourself.
They appear like ghosts outside the house at night, one holding up an antenna and the other crouching next to a car parked in the driveway. Within seconds, your car is lost and another victim becomes a victim as technology designed to make it easier to unlock and start your vehicle causes a surge in car thefts.
Automotive technology is evolving, and many new cars now use wireless key fobs and push-button starters instead of traditional metal keys. The fob sends a short-range signal so the door automatically unlocks when the driver approaches the car. This saves you from having to take out your keys when your hands are full with groceries.
But the technology also makes things easier for thieves. Wireless fobs continue to emit a signal even when not in use. Thieves roam neighborhoods at night, looking for cars parked outside to carry out so-called relay attacks. They use portable equipment that can pick up weak signals from fobs inside homes or parking lots and relay it to transmitters that can replicate the signal.
A new trend of “illegal travel” is emerging
Authorities are urging automakers to mitigate security vulnerabilities and warn owners of the risks.
So how can you reduce the chance of your car being lost within 60 seconds? “It’s relatively easy for drivers to protect themselves,” says UK-based automotive risk intelligence firm Thatcham. said Steve Launchberry, Principal Engineer for Automotive Security at Research. Here are some tips:
Use a signal blocker
A simple but effective way to prevent car thieves from stealing your key fob signal is to use a Faraday bag or pouch. Lined with a conductive metal mesh that blocks the transmission of electromagnetic signals.
Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant Anthony Walsh demonstrates a steering wheel lock at a crime prevention event held in Washington on November 7, 2023. A physical lock attached to the steering wheel acts as a visible deterrent to car theft. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade Rose, File)
Pouches aren’t expensive, and you can also get boxes with the same functionality. However, experts recommend testing them to make sure they work. Just put your keychain inside and approach your car. If the door does not unlock automatically, the signal is blocked.
It’s also important to remember to keep all key fobs in your car, including spares, and remember to use it whenever you leave your car.
However, ignore any advice on the internet that tells you to put it in the microwave or freezer. It won’t be as effective as a Faraday bag and you risk damaging your keys.
Get some old-fashioned rock
Try the old-fashioned solution of using a physical lock. Some police forces advise car owners to use these to reduce the temptation to steal their cars. The reason is that would-be thieves may be deterred by the effort required to break through the lock and turn their attention to easier targets instead.
A lock in the form of a disc or long rod is fixed to the steering wheel, making it difficult to maneuver. There are also versions that prevent the car from going into gear. The downside is that it takes extra time to install and remove when you’re not driving.
Change settings
In many cars, you can disable the wireless settings to prevent the door from being opened remotely. For Ford, Honda, and Audi, use the touchscreen menu. If you have a Toyota vehicle, you can temporarily disable the signal by holding down the lock button on the fob and pressing the unlock button twice at the same time. If done correctly, the indicator light on the fob should flash four times. Note that the next time you press either button, remote unlocking will be re-enabled.
This method varies by make and model, so consult your owner’s manual for exact instructions. If this sounds complicated, check out this step-by-step YouTube video. Remember that in most cases you will need to manually press the unlock button on the fob.
Automakers are starting to add motion sensors to key fobs. If the sensor doesn’t detect any recent movement, for example because it was left on the kitchen counter after you got home, the fob will go into sleep mode and stop transmitting. If you don’t have this feature, check with your dealer to see if an upgrade is available.
If you buy a used car, some experts advise reprogramming the key in case the previous owner kept one of the fobs.
Beware of new methods
Researchers have discovered a new method of car theft that does not target radio signals. Controller Area Network (CAN) is a “feature in modern cars that allows different components and systems to communicate, but it has recently become a target and exploited by thieves,” Thatcham’s Launchbury said.
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The network allows sensors and control modules to communicate directly with each other without going through a central node. Thieves typically take advantage of this by removing the headlights and connecting a device that can “inject” a signal to access the network from outside the car, tricking the car into unlocking and starting.
Automakers are working to improve CAN security, but “there are steps drivers can take now to add an extra layer of security and deter criminals,” such as using physical locks, Launchberry said. said.
He said aftermarket electronic immobilizer systems “neutralize criminals’ theft tools” and may even provide discounts on auto insurance. Thatcham and other companies also offer them, but the downside is that they are quite expensive.
