Experts ​alerted motor trade to security risks of ‘smart key’ systems which have now fuelled highest level of car thefts for a decade

Experts ​alerted motor trade to security risks of ‘smart key’ systems which have now fuelled highest level of car thefts for a decade.

  • krellor@kbin.social
    63·
    9 months ago

    I’m not sure about what the article is referencing, which is probably a little more exotic, but relay attacks are very common against keyless cars. Keyless cars are constantly pinging for their matching fob. A relay attack just involves a repeater antenna held outside the car that repeats the signal between the car and the fob inside the house. Since many people leave the fob near the front of the house, it works and allows thieves to enter and start the car. Canada has has a big problem with car thieves using relay attacks to then drive cars into shipping containers and then sell them overseas.

      • krellor@kbin.social
        51·
        9 months ago

        I did read the article. I’m unfamiliar with the “hacking” tools or methods they mention given they use terms like emulator. I was simply sharing one wireless attack that is common in certain areas and why.

    • BearOfaTime@lemm.eeEnglish
      11·
      9 months ago

      Don you have a good article discussing how this communication from car to key fob works?

      Every fob like this that I’ve seen isn’t effective unless the key is close to the car (inches), because it uses a no-power system in the key fob, similar to a card reader (so no battery required in the fob to unlock car and start engine, once in close proximity). I’ve tested this on a few cars by removing the battery in the key fob.

      Other functions (door locks, remote start etc), seem to be provided by conventional key fob electronics.

      I’m sure there are several different ways this is accomplished, so any insight would be useful.

      Thanks!