Modern Car Theft

djcla

This is interesting and a little too easy , maybe keyless entry isnt so great

Car stolen without using a key

Dony

This has been touched on a couple of times now in General Chat.

Are all keyless entry cars this vulnerable? Seems absolutely crazy by manufacturers given that it's so easy to work around.
Also, does anyone know if there been any response from the manufacturers in terms of improving their systems?

Astaroth

Surprised there hasnt been an influx of containers to keep your keys in at home to block the signal to prevent this type of theft; similar to the wallets that block contactless to stop people brushing past you and taking your card details.

This type of theft wouldnt work for us given when we have a car its parked 6 floors below and under a neighbouring building but does continue to show why insurers dont like those cars parked on driveways despite the obvious reduced chances of hit & runs

IronGiant

Google Faraday pouch, plenty of them on the market

e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076VDJFSK/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1

imightbewrong

How long until these cars are uninsurable?  I've said it many times but I really don't get this one - why is it so hard to make it work?  Why doesn't the car stop when it gets far enough away from the key?  Why doesn't everyone who has this system disable it right now?

Bl4ckGryph0n

LOL The BBC is a bit late with that photo...I've seen it weeks ago...

But like you I don't get why SOME manufacturers don't get this sorted. It really isn't hard and not all of them are vulnerable like this...

PSM1

I believe the device they uses captures the code the key emits and keeps sending the code out so as far as the car is concerned the key is in the car so it does not stop when it goes out of range (although I could be wrong about that).
Even cars without keyless entry are vulnerable using the diagnostics port where they can recode a key that they bring with them.
Ultimately, if they want you car then they will find a way to take it no matter what security you have.

Astaroth

They wont become uninsurable but premiums may go up. My, first car, a mk1 ford fiesta could easily be opened with just a coat hanger - which was a good job given you could lock the car without the keys so they did get locked in it occasionally. Never an insurance problem.

I guess it'd be a safety issue that the car doesnt go into "no key mode" whilst its driving otherwise what happens if your key's battery died as you're driving down the motorway at 70 mph and the steering lock engages?

As to turning off? Certainly with some cars you cannot drive them without it. My old car wasnt keyless engine but the doors would set off the alarm if you only used the physical key and not the remote. The hire car I had over the weekend had no ignition to use a key in so cannot be turned off.

Dony

Looks like you have to pay £495 to have the option of easy theft (comfort access) on some cars I'm currently looking at. I won't be ticking that box.

IronGiant

In some systems the key is only required to allow you to start the car after unlocking the doors, so they don't even need to capture the code, just amplify it enough to fool the car that the key is nearby.