Criminal gangs are using increasingly sophisticated electronic devices that can bypass or take control of the computers securing our cars.
A rash of thefts of high-end vehicles has taken place across the globe in recent months, in many cases reversing a general decline in vehicle thefts in the past decade. These expensive cars are being targeted either for resale in markets in eastern Europe and Asia or to be stripped for their valuable components.
Hitherto, more expensive cars had also featured more expensive electronics that supposedly prevented them from being driven away. Thieves resorted to breaking into houses to access the vehicle keys – a much riskier strategy from their point of view.
Now, though, devices that can pluck a car's security code from the air are on sale for as little as €3,000. They can intercept the signal sent between a remote central-locking key and the car or they can transmit millions of possible access codes at the receivers that detect the presence of a nearby key for keyless entry systems.
One simple device just amplifies the signal from a car in a driveway to the key, which could be securely located in the house, making a car think that its key is next to it.
Electronic hijacking
“The process is mostly seen in the US, where many vehicles have keyless entry systems, making them susceptible to electronic
hijacking
, ” said a spokesperson for the Garda’s stolen motor vehicles unit. “Though not too common here, the current trend we see in relation to this is high-end vehicles being taken without keys. The vehicles can be accessed with key opening tools freely available on the internet.
"The vehicle is then manipulated by accessing the on-board diagnostic port and a key programming device inserted; a blank key fob is then coded, and now you have a key to drive away the vehicle. It takes approximately 45 seconds, and instruction videos are available on YouTube.
Warhead
“Recently there has been an increase in high-end vehicles being taken, which we suspect are for the markets in parts of the eastern-bloc countries.”
In the age-old battle between armour and warhead, warhead usually wins. Carmakers are scrambling to try to improve vehicle security and add extra layers of safeguards, but almost inevitably the crooks will find a way around those too.
The advice from the Garda is to return to old-fashioned methods rather than relying on digital security.
“Do not leave your car keys on open show on hallway tables, etc . . . and an old-fashioned heavy chain will help deter criminals.”
