Concerned about the security of your modern vehicle? You should be. Keyless car theft, also known as relay theft, is a growing problem where criminals use readily available technology to scan for and exploit the signals from your key fob. They are essentially scanning for door locking systems, seeking vulnerabilities in keyless entry to steal your car in broad daylight, or right from your driveway. This article will break down exactly how thieves scan for your car’s door locking signals, how this “relay attack” works, and most importantly, what you can do to prevent it. Understand the risks, learn if your car is vulnerable, and discover the best tips to protect your keyless entry vehicle from being targeted by tech-savvy thieves.
Understanding Keyless Car Theft: The Scan and Steal Method
Keyless car theft, often referred to as relay theft or relay crime, is a method where thieves use electronic devices to capture the radio signal emitted by your key fob. These devices essentially “scan” for the signal that your car is constantly broadcasting, seeking to detect and amplify it to unlock and start your vehicle without needing the physical key. This sophisticated technique bypasses traditional security measures and has become a significant concern for car owners worldwide.
How Thieves Scan for and Steal Your Car: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
To understand how to protect yourself, it’s crucial to know the mechanics of a keyless car theft, focusing on how thieves scan for your key’s signal:
Step 1: Signal Scanning and Capture – A thief, positioned near your home or even in a public parking lot, uses a relay device. This device acts as a scanner, actively searching for and capturing the unique radio frequency signal emitted by your key fob. The key doesn’t need to be in sight; the device is designed to detect signals even through walls or doors.
Step 2: Signal Relay and Amplification – Once the device captures your key’s signal, it instantly amplifies and relays it to a second device, typically held by an accomplice positioned near your car. This relayed signal tricks your car into thinking that the actual key fob is in close proximity.
Step 3: Unlocking and Ignition – Believing the key is nearby due to the relayed signal, the car’s security system disengages. The accomplice can then open the car doors, start the ignition, and drive away – all within a matter of seconds.
“Keyless car theft can take only 20-30 seconds”
This entire process, from scanning for the signal to driving off, can be executed in under 30 seconds, making it a swift and efficient method for car theft.
Scanning Range: How Close Do Thieves Need to Be to Scan Your Keys?
Thieves don’t need to be right next to your keys to perform a relay attack. The devices they use are capable of scanning and capturing signals from a distance of a few meters. This means if your keys are left close to doors or windows, even inside your house, thieves outside can easily scan and intercept the signal. Understanding this scanning range is crucial in determining how to store your keys safely and prevent signal interception.
Cars with keyless entry are at risk to relay theft
The Speed of the Scan: How Quickly Can Keyless Car Theft Occur?
As mentioned earlier, keyless car theft is alarmingly quick. The scanning and relay process is designed for speed and efficiency. Once thieves have positioned themselves to scan for your key’s signal, the actual theft can be executed in as little as 20 to 30 seconds. This rapid execution makes it difficult to detect or prevent in real-time, highlighting the need for proactive preventative measures.
Scanning Equipment: What Devices Do Thieves Use?
The equipment used in keyless car theft, often called relay devices or scanners, is specialist electronic gear designed to capture and re-transmit radio signals. These devices are becoming increasingly accessible, contributing to the rise in relay attacks. While the exact specifications can vary, the core function is to scan for, amplify, and relay the key fob’s signal to the vehicle.
Is Your Car at Risk? Identifying Keyless Entry Systems
Not all cars are vulnerable to relay theft. The risk specifically applies to vehicles equipped with keyless entry systems. Here’s how to determine if your car has keyless entry and is therefore susceptible to scanning attacks:
- Keyless Start Button: If your car starts with a button press while the key fob remains in your pocket or bag, it likely has a keyless entry system.
- Proximity Sensors: Keyless entry cars automatically unlock when you approach the vehicle with the key fob.
- No Need to Press Buttons on Fob to Unlock: If you don’t need to physically press buttons on your key fob to unlock your car as you approach, it’s a keyless system.
If you need to press a button on your key fob to unlock your car, then your vehicle is not considered keyless entry and is not vulnerable to this specific type of scanning theft. For those with keyless entry, understanding the preventative measures is essential.
Top Tips to Prevent Thieves from Scanning Your Car Door Locks
Protecting your keyless entry car from scanning and relay attacks requires adopting a combination of security habits and tools. Here are effective measures you can implement right away:
1. Utilize a Signal Blocking Pouch (Faraday Bag) for Key Fob Protection
A Signal blocking pouching can protect your keys | Image provided by Solon Security
A Faraday bag, or signal blocking pouch, is one of the most effective and affordable ways to prevent thieves from scanning your key fob signal. These pouches are lined with metallic materials that block electromagnetic fields, preventing your key fob from transmitting its signal.
Why use a Faraday Bag?
- Signal Isolation: The metallic lining effectively blocks radio waves, ensuring thieves cannot scan or intercept your key’s signal.
- Simple and Cost-Effective: Faraday bags are relatively inexpensive, starting from around £5, and are easy to use daily.
- Versatile Protection: Besides car keys, these pouches can also protect credit cards and mobile phones from RFID and NFC scanning.
To use a Faraday bag effectively, always store your key fob inside the pouch when at home and in public places. Ensure the pouch is properly sealed to maximize signal blocking.
2. Disable Keyless Fob Wireless Signals (If Possible)
Some keyless fobs come with a feature that allows you to manually deactivate the wireless signal. This is often referred to as “sleep mode.” Consult your car’s manual to check if your key fob has this functionality and how to activate it. Disabling the signal when you are at home or in a secure location completely eliminates the risk of signal scanning and relay theft. If your manual doesn’t provide instructions, contact your vehicle manufacturer for guidance.
3. Employ Physical Security Measures: Steering Wheel Locks and Car Alarms
A Steering Wheel Lock can prevent keyless car theft
While keyless theft is technologically advanced, physical security measures can still be highly effective deterrents.
- Steering Wheel Locks: These mechanical devices physically lock the steering wheel, making it impossible to steer the car. They are a visible deterrent and a robust physical barrier against theft. Look for steering wheel locks with third-party approvals like “Sold Secure,” which indicates they have been tested against criminal tools.
- Car Alarms: Installing or ensuring your car has a functioning alarm system adds another layer of security. Alarms not only deter thieves but also alert you and others if someone attempts to break into or move your vehicle. Approved alarms can also sometimes reduce your car insurance premiums.
4. Park Strategically: Utilize Garages and Secure Parking
Where you park your car can significantly impact its vulnerability to keyless scanning theft.
- Garage Parking: Parking your car in a garage, especially overnight, is an excellent deterrent. It increases the distance between your car and potential thieves scanning for signals, making signal interception more difficult.
- Defensive Driveway Parking: If you don’t have a garage, park your car as close to your house as possible. This reduces accessibility for thieves and makes scanning from the street less effective.
- Well-Lit Areas: When parking on the street, choose well-lit areas. Thieves are less likely to operate in areas with high visibility.
Consider enhancing your home security with motion-detector lighting and CCTV cameras as additional deterrents, especially if you regularly park on a driveway or street.
5. VIN Etching: Make Your Vehicle Less Desirable
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching involves engraving your car’s VIN or registration number onto the windows and headlights. This makes it significantly harder for thieves to resell the car or its parts, as the etched markings are permanent and link the parts back to your vehicle. VIN etching acts as a deterrent, making your car less attractive to thieves targeting vehicles for quick resale after keyless theft.
6. Keep Your Car Tidy: Reduce Temptation for Opportunistic Thieves
While not directly related to keyless scanning theft, keeping your car tidy and free of valuables can prevent opportunistic break-ins, which can sometimes be associated with car theft attempts. Hide any electronic devices, remove suction cup marks from Sat-Navs, and keep your glove box empty and open to show there’s nothing to steal.
7. Secure Lost or Stolen Keys: Reprogram Your Locks
If you lose your car keys or suspect they have been stolen, it’s critical to act immediately. Contact a certified auto locksmith to reprogram your car’s locks and keys. This ensures that the lost or stolen keys can no longer be used to access or start your vehicle, preventing theft even if the keys fall into the wrong hands.
8. Reprogram Keys for Second-Hand Vehicles
When purchasing a second-hand vehicle, there’s always a risk that not all sets of keys have been handed over. To eliminate any potential security risks from previous owners, have your car keys reprogrammed by an auto locksmith. This will ensure that only your current keys are programmed to operate the vehicle, enhancing security and preventing unauthorized access.
Reprogramming your car keys can stop thieves using stolen keys
Car Models at Risk of Keyless Scanning Theft
Any car model equipped with a keyless entry system is potentially vulnerable to relay theft. Popular models like Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai, and Ford Focus have been identified as being at risk. Studies, such as those by the General German Automobile Club (ADAC), have tested numerous keyless cars, finding that a significant majority could be unlocked and started using relay crime techniques.
Keyless Entry Car Security Ratings
Thatcham Research, a UK automotive research center, introduced security ratings for keyless entry cars to assess their resistance to relay attacks.
Vehicles Passing Keyless Theft Tests (Superior Security):
| Keyless Entry Vehicle Model | Pass Or Fail | Security Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Audi e-tron | Pass | Superior |
| BMW 1 Series / 7 Series / 8 Series | Pass | Superior |
| BMW X6 / X7 | Pass | Superior |
| Ford Puma | Pass | Superior |
| Jaguar XE | Pass | Superior |
| Land Rover Evoque | Pass | Superior |
| Mercedes B-Class | Pass | Superior |
| Porsche 911 | Pass | Superior |
| Porsche Macan | Pass | Superior |
| Volkswagen Passat | Pass | Superior |
Vehicles Failing Keyless Theft Tests (Poor Security):
| Keyless Entry Vehicle Model | Pass Or Fail | Security Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DS3 Crossback | Fail | Poor |
| Ford Mondeo | Fail | Poor |
| Kia ProCeed | Fail | Poor |
| Lexus UX | Fail | Poor |
| Hyundai Nexo | Fail | Poor |
| Mazda 3 | Fail | Poor |
| Toyota Corolla | Fail | Poor |
| Toyota RAV-4 | Fail | Poor |
| Volvo V60 | Fail | Poor |
These ratings highlight that while keyless technology offers convenience, security features vary significantly between manufacturers and models.
Keyless Car Theft: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does putting car keys in a tin block the signal?
A: Yes, storing your key fob in a metal tin can potentially block the signal, acting similarly to a Faraday bag. However, the effectiveness can vary depending on the tin and its shielding properties. It’s recommended to test if the signal is blocked by attempting to unlock your car while the keys are inside the tin. For guaranteed protection, a dedicated Faraday bag is more reliable.
Q: Where should I keep my car keys at night to prevent scanning?
A: At night, the best practice is to store your key fob in a Faraday bag and place it as far away from doors and windows as possible. This minimizes the risk of thieves scanning and relaying the signal from outside your home.
Q: Will My Car Insurance Cover Keyless Car Theft?
A: Most comprehensive car insurance policies will cover theft, including keyless car theft. However, insurers may require proof that you still possess all sets of keys and may investigate the circumstances of the theft. Always check with your specific insurer to understand your policy coverage regarding keyless car theft.
Q: Are Car Manufacturers Taking Action Against Keyless Car Theft?
A: Yes, many car manufacturers are actively working to implement preventative measures. Some are introducing motion sensor key fobs that deactivate after a period of inactivity, and others are enhancing the signal encryption and security protocols of their keyless systems. Some manufacturers like Kia are even providing Faraday bags to customers as a preventative measure.
Q: Are Vans Also at Risk of Keyless Theft?
A: Yes, vans with keyless entry systems are also vulnerable to relay theft. There has been a reported increase in keyless van thefts, with models like the Ford Transit being frequently targeted.
Q: What is the Future of Relay Theft Prevention?
A: The automotive industry is continually evolving security measures to counter relay theft. Future solutions may include more advanced encryption, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for more precise key location, and enhanced motion detection in key fobs. In the meantime, using Faraday bags and physical security measures remains crucial.
Concerned About Keyless Car Theft? Get Expert Advice
If you are worried about keyless car theft and want to enhance your vehicle’s security, contact a certified MLA licensed car locksmith in your area. They can provide expert advice, install additional security measures, and offer peace of mind.
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