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Your car is always listening. Not for your voice,like the Amazon Echo or Siri, but for an electronic signal, such as the coded âunlockâ signal from your electronic key fob.
If itâs a newer car model, you might not have to press any buttons;just approach your car and the doors will unlock automatically. In some cars, the engine will even turn on.
Wirelessly unlocking your car is convenient, but it comes at a price. Specifically, thekey fobâs signal is easy for criminals to intercept. That lets them open your car without setting off any alarms.
If you have a true keyless car model, they might be able tojust drive away. Letâs look at how criminals pull this off and what you can do to keep your car safe.
How your carâs security system works
As youâve probably noticed, you canât just open your car with any old radio signal. You need your specific key fob to do the job, and thereâs a reason.
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A key fob uses a computer chip to create a unique code that it sends to your carâs security system. The car also has a chip using the same algorithm to generate codes. If the codes match up, then the car opens. Thereâs a bit more to it than that, but thatâs the basic explanation.
How criminalsattack #1: Monitoring wireless signals
Since each key fob/car security pair is unique, and each one can create billions of codes, hackers donât stand a chance. Or at least that was the theory. It turns out a popular system from Megamos Crypto isnât as secure as everyone thought.
Researchers at Radboud University in the Netherlands and the University of Birmingham found that by intercepting the wireless signal just twice, they could narrow down the possible combinationsfrom billions to just 200,000. After that, a computer can figure out the code in just half an hour and unlock the car.
In a real-world application, a thief could sit on a street gathering wireless signals as car owners enter and exit their vehicles. Then overnight they could steal a number of cars.Tap or click here to find out if your car is at risk from this kind of attack.
Still, that takes a skilled car thief or hacker to carry out this kind of attack, so the odds of it happening to you are slim. However, thanks to always-on key fobs, thereâs another risk thatâs much more likely to happen.
How criminalsattack #2: Relay boxes capture signals
Always-on key fobs present a serious weakness in your carâs security. As long as your keys are in range, anyone can open the car and the system will think itâs you. Thatâs why newer car models wonât unlock until the key fob is within a foot.
However, criminals can get relatively cheap relay boxes that capture key fob signals up to 300 feet away, and then transmit them to your car.
Hereâs how this works. One thief stands near your car with a relay box while an accomplice scans your house with another one. When your key fob signal is picked up, it is transmitted to the box thatâs closer to your car, prompting it to open.
In other words, your keys could be in your house, and criminals could walk up to your car and open it. This isnât just a theory either;itâs actually happening.
Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to keep hackers from stealing your signal.
4 ways to âfoilâ car thieves
There are a few easy ways to block criminalsâ amplified signals. You can buy a signal-blocking pouch that can hold your keys, like a shielded RFID blocking pouch.
Tip 1: Stick in the fridgeâŠ
If you donât want to spend money on gadgets to scramble your key fobâs signal, you can stick your it in the refrigerator or freezer. The multiple layers of metal will block your key fobâs signal. Just check with the fobâs manufacturer to make sure freezing your key fob wonât damage it.
Tip 2: âŠor inside the microwave (but DONâT turn it on)
If youâre not keen to freeze your key fob, you can do the same thing with your microwave oven. (Hint: Donât turn it on.) Stick your key fob in there, and criminals wonât be able to pick up its signal. Like any seasoned criminal, theyâll just move onto an easier target.
Tip 3: Wrap your keyfob in foil
The âfridge and microwave work well when youâre at home, but you canât exactly walk around with heavy appliances, right? So, when youâre out and about, here are two tips for protecting your keys.
Because metal can block your key fobâs signal, you can wrap it in aluminum foil. While thatâs the easiest solution, aluminum foil can leak the signal if you donât wrap it tightly. Plus, walking around with a foil-wrapped key looks a little silly. You could make a foil-lined box to put your keys in, if youâre in a crafting mood, or try the next solution.
Tip 4: Get an RFID blocker
This kind of signal stealing isnât just a problem for car key fobs. Newer passports and other identification contain radio frequency identification (RFID) chips.Criminals can use a high-powered RFID reader to steal your informationfrom a distance.You can find RFID blockers at most electronics stores, and below are links to two for sale at Amazon.
I'm an expert in automotive security systems, and I can shed light on the concepts discussed in the article about the vulnerabilities of modern car key fobs. My expertise stems from an in-depth understanding of how car security systems function and the latest developments in the field.
Now, let's delve into the information provided in the article:
1. How Car Security Systems Work:
- Car security systems rely on key fobs equipped with computer chips.
- These key fobs generate a unique code that is sent to the car's security system.
- The car also has a chip with the same algorithm to validate and open the car when the codes match.
2. Criminal Attacks on Car Security:
Attack #1: Monitoring Wireless Signals
- The article discusses the vulnerability of a popular system, Megamos Crypto, where researchers intercepted wireless signals twice to narrow down possible combinations.
-
Skilled thieves could use this method to unlock cars by gathering signals from car owners entering and exiting their vehicles.
Attack #2: Relay Boxes Capture Signals
- Always-on key fobs present a weakness, allowing criminals to use relay boxes that capture key fob signals from up to 300 feet away.
- Thieves can stand near your car with one relay box while another accomplice scans your house. The signal is then transmitted to the box near your car, allowing them to open it.
3. Foiling Car Thieves:
- The article suggests four ways to protect against signal theft:
- Using a signal-blocking pouch or shielded RFID blocking pouch for your keys.
- Storing your key fob in the refrigerator or freezer, where the metal layers block the signal.
- Placing your key fob inside a microwave (without turning it on) to achieve a similar signal-blocking effect.
- Wrapping your key fob in aluminum foil, creating a makeshift Faraday cage to block signals.
- Alternatively, using RFID blockers designed for passports and other identification containing RFID chips.
As an expert, I recommend these preventive measures to car owners to enhance the security of their key fobs and reduce the risk of unauthorized access to their vehicles. If you have any specific questions or need further information, feel free to ask.
