The device, which allows a person to open car doors, start vehicles and drive them away suggests the auto industry is entering a perilous new frontier in which tech-savvy criminals can bypass the keyless theft-prevention countermeasures installed on certain recent models.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau said it had purchased the device “via a third-party security expert from an overseas company” that developed it “to provide manufacturers and other anti-theft organizations the ability to test the vulnerability of various vehicles’ systems.”
The so-called Relay Attack device demonstrates how thieves in certain instances have recently stolen vehicles that were supposed to be extremely difficult to swipe. The boxy device, about the size of a smartphone, is used to capture a signal from a nearby key fob before using the signal to gain entry illegally.
These 10 cars, trucks were the most stolen last year
NICB said it tested the device on used cars at participating dealerships, an auto auction, employee vehicles and other cars.
In 19 of its 35 tests, the device opened the vehicle. In 18 of those 19 entries, it was also able to start the vehicle and drive away.
In other words, more than 50% of the time the device allowed the would-be perpetrator to steal the vehicle.
“We’ve now seen for ourselves that these devices work,” NICB CEO Joe Wehrle said in a statement. “Maybe they don’t work on all makes and models, but certainly on enough that car thieves can target and steal them with relative ease. And the scary part is that there’s no warning or explanation for the owner.”
Thieves defeat keyless entry to break into cars
NICB believes thieves are using several varieties of wireless theft devices. The trend means that automakers must bolster cybersecurity in the vehicles, the group said.
The group suggested that vehicle owners take their remote fob or keys with them at all times and not leave any valuables in plain sight.
There is however a easy way to combat this.
Buy yourself a “faraday bag” to put your keys in, and stop the signal.
you can find them easily on ebay or amazon, here is an example,
Car Keyless Entry Fob Guard Signal Blocker Genuine Faraday Bag – theft prevention for any car
Did you know that while you are asleep, thieves can open and even operate your car without breaking into it? Putting your Car Keyless Entry Fob in one of our car key fob guard Faraday bags blocks thieves from amplifying your fobs signal and opening your car.
Did you know they can do it using your keyless entry fob? Yep, the one that you thought was “safe” in your house, on your kitchen bench, on your bedside table, or even in your hands right now while you read this.
It sounds crazy, but thieves using a signal amplifier can simply walk up to your car, open the door, steal your belongings, and then leave the car without any evidence of tampering. Try explaining that to your insurance company. Depending on car, they can drive it away too. Yes, REALLY!
Our “Military Spec” Key Fob Farady Bags can save you thousands of pounds in uninsurable contents loss or worse. Just put your keyless entry fob inside one of our key fob faraday bags and your car is protected.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Keyless-Entry-Fob-Guard-Genuine-Faraday-Bag-Theft-Prevention-Any-Car-/332253785034?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275
