Car theft is evolving, and modern technology, while convenient, has introduced new vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity experts are raising alarms about a sophisticated method of vehicle theft known as Key Fob Signal Theft. This isn’t about forced entry or hot-wiring; it’s about tech-savvy criminals exploiting the very technology designed to make our lives easier. Are you unknowingly at risk?
Understanding Key Fob Signal Theft: How Thieves Hack Your Car
Gone are the days when car thieves relied solely on brute force. Today, they’re leveraging readily available technology to bypass your vehicle’s security system. The convenience of keyless entry and ignition systems, which rely on radio waves transmitted from your key fob, has inadvertently created a new avenue for theft.
Moshe Shlisel, a global cybersecurity expert and CEO of GuardKnox Cyber Technologies, emphasizes the urgency of this issue. “The problem is, this is not a story, it’s reality,” he stated, highlighting that these thefts are not theoretical but a present danger. These “smart” key systems, while offering features like remote unlocking and ignition, operate on non-secure commercial radio waves, making them susceptible to exploitation.
AAA also underscores the dual nature of your key fob, noting on their website, “You may think of your car key as little more than a tool to start the car. But have you ever considered that it may also be the best tool to prevent your car from being stolen?” Understanding how thieves exploit these systems is the first step in protecting your vehicle.
Common Methods of Key Fob Signal Theft
Criminals employ several techniques to steal your car’s key fob signal, most notably the Relay Attack and Code Grabbing:
-
Relay Attack: This method involves two individuals working in tandem. One thief, equipped with a signal-capturing device, approaches your home to intercept the signal emanating from your key fob, even if it’s inside. This signal is then relayed to an accomplice near your car, who uses another device to mimic the key fob’s signal, unlocking and starting the vehicle. As AARP explains, “An accomplice waits nearby at the car door, usually with another device, to open the car when the signal is received,” effectively tricking the car into believing the legitimate key fob is present.
-
Code Grabbing: This technique targets drivers in public places like parking lots. When you press your key fob to lock your car, a thief using a code-grabbing device can intercept and record the radio frequency signal. This copied code can then be used to unlock your car at a later time. These devices are surprisingly affordable and readily available, making this a widespread threat. AARP points out the implications of code grabbing: “thieves don’t have to track cars to the owner’s abode. Often, orders for high-end luxury cars are placed in advance, so thieves sit and wait until the right model drives into the parking lot and follow it to a spot.” This emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and manual locking when possible.
Is your key fob safe? How to keep your car's key fob safe.
The speed at which these thefts can occur is alarming. The Master Locksmiths Association in Warwickshire, England, estimates that copying a key fob signal and stealing a car can take as little as 20 to 30 seconds. This speed and ease of execution underscore the need for proactive preventative measures.
Simple Yet Effective Tips to Prevent Key Fob Signal Theft
Protecting yourself from key fob signal theft doesn’t require complex solutions. According to cybersecurity expert Moshe Shlisel, the most crucial step is simple: “car consumers should always store their key fob in a metal container or a metal wire bag often called a Faraday cage.” This action effectively blocks the key fob’s signal, preventing thieves from intercepting it.
Shlisel warns against leaving key fobs exposed: “Anytime it’s just sitting on a table or carried in a pants pocket, it can be hacked.” The accessibility of hacking tools and online tutorials further exacerbates the risk, making preventative measures even more critical.
Practical Steps to Secure Your Key Fob:
-
Faraday Cage or Metal Container: The most recommended method is to store your key fob inside a Faraday bag or a metal container, like a coffee can or metal box, when at home. This disrupts the radio waves, preventing signal transmission and interception.
-
Distance Matters: Keep your key fob as far away from your vehicle as possible when at home. Signal relay attacks rely on proximity, so increasing the distance weakens the signal and reduces the risk. “Just don’t leave the key fob next to the door at home if you’re parking nearby,” advises Shlisel.
-
Aluminum Foil as a Last Resort: In a pinch, wrapping your key fob in multiple layers of aluminum foil can act as a makeshift Faraday cage, blocking the signal. While not as durable as a dedicated Faraday bag, it’s a readily available temporary solution.
Real-World Examples and the Growing Threat of Car Hacking
Recent incidents and rising car theft statistics highlight the tangible threat of key fob signal theft. In Ann Arbor, police investigated thefts in November that appeared to be linked to key fob vulnerabilities. One victim, Kevin Cox, reported his Ford F-150 stolen from his home, despite both sets of keys being inside. Security footage revealed thieves using signal-enhancing devices to carry out the theft, even disabling the vehicle’s location tracking feature.
Similar car hacking incidents have been reported across the US, including in Texas and Florida, demonstrating the widespread nature of this problem. Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) further emphasizes the escalating threat. In October, they reported “near record levels of vehicle theft” in the U.S., with nearly 500,000 vehicles stolen in the first half of 2023 alone, a 2% increase compared to the previous year.
Taking Proactive Measures Against Key Fob Theft
While technology introduces vulnerabilities, understanding these risks and taking simple precautions can significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim of key fob signal theft. As Moshe Shlisel explains, the system relies on “pairing” between the key fob and the vehicle, similar to Bluetooth devices. Disrupting this communication is key to prevention.
Despite efforts to develop more secure systems, vulnerabilities persist, and key fob replacements can be costly, sometimes reaching up to $1,000. AAA’s advice to consider your key fob as a security tool reinforces the idea that proactive measures are essential.
By implementing these simple yet effective strategies – storing your key fob in a Faraday cage or metal container, maintaining distance, and being mindful of your surroundings – you can significantly strengthen your vehicle’s security and protect yourself from the growing threat of key fob signal theft.