Experts ​alerted motor trade to security risks of ‘smart key’ systems which have now fuelled highest level of car thefts for a decade

Experts ​alerted motor trade to security risks of ‘smart key’ systems which have now fuelled highest level of car thefts for a decade.

  • 𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒏English
    3•7 months ago

    Relay attacks don’t need the key to be in close proximity, they can be read from almost anywhere in the house if they aren’t in a faraday pouch or microwave. Have you seen the size of the antennas these attacks use?

    • @[email protected]English
      1•7 months ago

      I’ve seen a few low res clips over the years… one did use a yagi (Christmas tree looking one?). I’m sure it’s possible, but I don’t think it’s actually a given. I’m not even expert adjacent on this one though 😅

      • 𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒏English
        1•7 months ago

        The more recent ones I’ve seen are pretty funny. It’s usually two people with a relay kit: one carrying a massive flexible loop antenna, posing like a starfish walking around the front of the property, and the other beside the vehicle with a wireless keyfob emulator.

        Sadly not so funny for the car owners though, AFAIK the vehicles usually end up being broken down into parts. In Canada it’s a little different, they seem to be immediately driven to a port and loaded onto a ship for export.

        I don’t believe this is possible on older cars though, just ones with keyless start. Except if you have a US-spec Kia… where you literally just rip out the lock cylinder and use a USB cable to turn the engine start switch, although I believe they’ve fitted immobilizers to those now