Keyless entry systems vulnerable to high-tech car thieves

[emthree4me]

Not sure if this is a repost
but how are you guys going to counteract this security breach on car fobs.
This is very alarming, but havent heard anyone being a victim yet.

ref: http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/auto...h-car-thieves/

Remote keyless entry has been around for a while – since the late 1980s, in fact – and today it’s almost standard on all new cars. But the pervasiveness of this feature is not without consequence. As researchers in Switzerland point out, the technology can make vehicle theft a breeze for a savvy thief.

Remote keyless-entry systems use radio waves that typically are specific to a manufacturer, and the signals are usually encrypted. When your vehicle’s key fob is within 20 feet of the car, you’re allowed to transmit a signal to unlock the doors, pop the trunk, remote start your car (when equipped) or activate the car alarm.

Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that these encrypted signals are easy to intercept and trick.

Keyless entry systems are vulnerable to car thieves.The theft works by setting up two antennas, one near the targeted vehicle and one near the holder of the key fob — be it in a purse, bag or pocket. This equipment can usually be purchased for $100 to $1,000. The person with the antenna aimed at the owner of the key fob needs to get within 26 feet of the target. In a store, this could be a few aisles away, so as to not arouse suspicion.

Once the antenna is near the intended victim’s key fob, the key transmits a low-power signal to the antenna, which is then relayed to the antenna near the vehicle. Once that occurs, the thief can unlock the doors and drive away (if the vehicle has push-button start).

The Swiss researchers hacked into eight car manufacturers’ passive-entry systems using this method. No cryptology or protocol could stop it.

[GOLFFRR]

i was just reading about this on yahoo.com pretty crazy. just goes to show no matter what you do if the bad guys want what you got they will get it. this reminds me of the article i read earlier this month about how they can still your credit card info by walking within a few feet of you you!

[NYCMCBM3]

scary shit

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

ithis reminds me of the article i read earlier this month about how they can still your credit card info by walking within a few feet of you you!

Not magnetic strip credit cards. Only works with RFID cards.

[GOLFFRR]

i thought i read that they can just walk by you and this device they have just read your number right off the card?

[Rydawg1]

I saw these on that old Billy Mays shows and they work, watch the video on the main page. I use them.

http://www.idstronghold.com/

[1sikbmr]

to be honest... comfort access or not if a thief wanted your car that bad they will find a way to get it...

[Eau Rouge]

Originally Posted by 1sikbmr

to be honest... comfort access or not if a thief wanted your car that bad they will find a way to get it...

True, but I would just as soon the thief have to tow the thing than drive off in it.

I would like to see BMW and other auto manufacturers include as standard, or at the very least offer as an option, a passive biometrics based anti-theft system on its vehicles.

One possible solution that I've looking at is...
http://www.automobile-security.com/security.htm

[Stainless 45]

What if you don't have comfort access, just a regular key fob, then is this still a problem?

[sheepboy]

Don't you guys have car insurance?

[NYCMCBM3]

^lol

[drjoe66]

Originally Posted by Stainless 45

What if you don't have comfort access, just a regular key fob, then is this still a problem?

Sure. It still transmits a signal when you unlock, right?

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by drjoe66

Sure. It still transmits a signal when you unlock, right?

Yes, the car could be gotten into, but starting the car would not be possible, I assume, since the key would need to be inserted.

[Eau Rouge]

Originally Posted by sheepboy

Don't you guys have car insurance?

Cute!

The insurance company will give you money as compensation for the stolen vehicle. If I had wanted money, I would have kept my money instead of buying the car in the first place. Does that help clarify the matter?

I don't know if you've ever dealt with insurance companies, but I have, and none of them remind me of a "good neighbor"; not even the one that gets my six month premium payments.