PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Car owners should be aware of a growing threat: key fob hacking. As technology advances, so do the methods of car thieves. Security experts are warning that the convenience of keyless entry systems can be exploited, leaving your vehicle vulnerable to sophisticated theft techniques.
The AAA has issued warnings about these new methods that thieves are using to break into and steal cars. The vulnerability lies in the signal emitted by your key fob. This signal, intended to wirelessly unlock your car, can be intercepted and amplified by thieves using readily available technology.
“With these amplifiers, they’re able to get in and sometimes even start a vehicle,” explained Diana Gugliotta, Director of Public Affairs for AAA Northeast, in a recent statement. This isn’t some futuristic scenario; it’s a present-day risk for owners of modern vehicles.
Law enforcement officials confirm that this type of car theft is on the rise, directly linked to the increasing popularity of push-to-start vehicles. These keyless systems, while convenient for drivers, have inadvertently created a new avenue for criminal activity.
Todd McGhee, a law enforcement and security analyst, highlighted the specific vulnerability: “And those vehicles are the keyless-start capability vehicles, so if you have a car where you could just press a button to start your car, you could potentially be vulnerable to this type of a hack.” If your car starts with the push of a button, you should be particularly aware of these risks.
Fortunately, there are practical steps you can take to minimize your risk. Experts recommend simple yet effective strategies to safeguard your vehicle from key fob hacking.
One of the easiest precautions is to increase the distance between your key fob and the exterior of your home. Thieves use signal amplifiers to boost the fob’s signal from outside your house. By placing your keys further inside your home, away from doors and windows, you make it significantly harder for these devices to reach your fob’s signal.
For enhanced protection, consider storing your key fob in a Faraday bag or a metal box. These specially designed containers block electromagnetic fields, preventing the fob’s signal from being intercepted. Radio frequency identification (RFID) blocking bags are readily available and offer a robust layer of security.
A low-cost, surprisingly effective method is to wrap your key fob in aluminum foil. This everyday household item acts as a shield, blocking the radio waves emitted by your fob and preventing signal amplification.
Furthermore, security analyst McGhee suggests another preventative measure: “Also, another way that a person could look at their owner’s manual, there’s a way to shut off that fob from emitting that signal.” Many vehicles have a feature to deactivate the key fob’s signal when not in use, offering an additional layer of security. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to disable this feature.
The rise in key fob hacking is compounded by another alarming trend: social media challenges that demonstrate and encourage car theft. Earlier this year, a TikTok trend emerged, showing individuals, particularly juveniles, how to steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles using methods unrelated to key fob hacking but indicative of a broader issue of vehicle security vulnerabilities being exploited and amplified through social media.
AAA emphasizes the dangerous consequences of these trends, noting that they can lead to inexperienced individuals engaging in risky behavior with stolen vehicles. “The national traffic highway safety administration is actually started to track these crashes related to these challenges and already have found 14 crashes and 8 fatalities in respect to these hacks,” Gugliotta stated, highlighting the serious safety implications.
It’s also important to note that while keyless entry systems are the primary target of these hacks, even traditional car keys are not immune. AAA reports that social media trends have also targeted vulnerabilities in traditional key systems, prompting manufacturers like Kia and Toyota to release software updates to mitigate these risks.
In conclusion, the answer to “Can Key Fobs Be Hacked?” is a definitive yes. However, by understanding the risks and taking proactive measures, car owners can significantly reduce their vulnerability to these modern car theft techniques. Simple changes in key storage habits and utilizing signal-blocking methods can make a real difference in protecting your vehicle. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and take steps to secure your car in this evolving landscape of automotive security threats.
