Keyless entry, once reserved for luxury cars, is becoming a more common feature. Indeed, some websites now estimate that 70% of cars made today have the technology.
In theory, keyless entry should mean that your car can only be unlocked by proximity to your individual key fob. However, thieves are using increasingly sophisticated methods to bypass your security.
To explain how, let’s start by looking at the technology itself.
How does keyless entry work?
Keyless car entry needs a fob in order to work. This fob issues a radio frequency signal that is received by your car. This signal is encrypted to make it safer.
When you are close enough to your car, the car will receive the signal and unlock. This means that you don’t need to have it in your hand or press a single button.
The signal doesn’t work over huge distances, but a fob that is within 5 to 10 feet of your car should open it.
Other versions require you to touch the handle of your car door first. Once you touch it, your car will begin looking for a signal. When it detects the signal from your fob, it will then unlock.
When you walk away from your car and the signal is removed, your keyless entry car will lock.
How do thieves steal keyless entry cars?
As we said earlier, a keyless entry car should only be able to unlock if your fob is in close enough proximity.
However, it is possible for thieves to amplify or intercept the coded radio signal being sent by your fob.
This is particularly the case if you keep your key fob near your car. For example, you may keep it near the front door. Thieves can then pick up the signal from outside, amplify it and send it to an alternative transmitter. They use this transmitter as a fake car fob to get your car to unlock. This method, known as the relay technique, allows thieves to unlock your car without setting foot inside your property.
It is also possible for thieves to stop your car from locking. Ordinarily, increased distance between your fob and your car should cause it to lock. However, thieves can intercept this signal and clone it. This means that as you walk away from your car, it may not lock. This gives the thieves easy access to your vehicle.
If a thief cannot copy or intercept your key’s signal, your car can still be stolen if they are able to access your OBD (On Board Diagnostics) port.
OBD ports are designed to be easily accessed for car maintenance, which means that they are not encrypted. If a thief can get to one, they can use a reader to gain access to your car’s electronic systems. This means that they can disable any immobilisers, change your key’s codes and start the car. These readers are readily available online.
To get access to the port, which is usually under the steering wheel or in the driver’s footwell, the thief will probably break a window. It is possible to do this without setting off the car’s alarm, but even if the alarm does go off, the thief can quickly stop it via the OBD port.
Keyless entry car theft can also be facilitated using a device known as an ‘emulator’, a device that looks like a games controller and can be bought online. When the car looks for a signal, the emulator can mimic the key’s signal to trick the system into unlocking. Hyundai IONIQ 5s models are particularly vulnerable to this, although the manufacturer is taking steps to rectify the situation.
Which keyless cars are most stolen?
While we have mentioned the Hyundai Ioniq 5S, the most up to date Home Office data shows that the Ford Fiesta is actually the most stolen car, while the Focus came in a close second. Both vehicles are available with keyless entry.
How to prevent keyless car theft
This may all sound a bit intimidating, but there are steps you can take to minimise the risk of your car being stolen.
Keep your key fob in a safe place
Keeping your car fob too close to your car is a risk, so start keeping it further away. This will make it harder for thieves to pick up your signal. Alternatively, get in the habit of turning off the signal from your fob when you are not using it.
You can also buy Faraday bags to keep your car fob in. These bags prevent your fob from emitting a signal. The bags are lined with metal, which effectively isolates your car fob from any receivers.
Always manually check that your car door is locked
It is nice to assume that your car locks as you walk away, but if the signal is intercepted this may not be the case. It’s therefore worth checking that your car has indeed locked once you get out of it.
Park behind a barrier
You don’t always need a sophisticated solution to this problem. Parking your car in a locked garage, secure car park or behind a barrier will make it harder for thieves to actually access your car and then drive it away.
Add other security devices
If thieves do gain access to your car, you can make things more difficult for them by having additional security devices fitted. This can include steering, clutch pedal and gear stick locks.
OBD port locks are also available. These can be physical, which require a key or code, or electronic. The latter work alongside immobilisers. When you turn off your car, the immobiliser will then prevent further communications between the electronic systems in your car and the OBD port.
It is also worthwhile fitting and installing the most up-to-date immobilisers. They may not deter a thief, but they can slow them down. Another good idea is to add a GPS tracker to your car so that its movements can be traced. Some will alert you via an app when your car is in motion.
Move the OBD port
OBD ports are easy to find and tend to be located in similar areas, no matter what type of car you have. However, it is possible to buy wires which allow you to move your OBD port. This can confuse or slow down a thief. Bear in mind that engineers and mechanics will still need to access this port, so it cannot be completely inaccessible.
Are keyless entry cars harder to insure?
Cars with keyless entry are becoming more popular targets for thieves, some brands more than others.
For this reason, some keyless car owners are finding it harder to get insurance. A few are being turned down altogether.
Taking careful keyless car security measures is therefore a good idea as this will help to reduce thefts and the risk to insurers.
If you would like to talk to us about your Car Insurance options, please get in touch. Our experienced team will be able to discuss your needs and explore the best options for you.
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