Technology Friend or Foe ? (MERGED)
12-08-2016, 11:02 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Technology Friend or Foe ? (MERGED)
Device helps thieves tap into key fobs to steal your car
Phone-sized box subverts security tech
Nathan Bomey
@NathanBomey USA TODAY
A national watchdog group identified a device that lets thieves steal cars that use key fobs.
The device, which allows a person to open car doors, start vehicles and drive them away suggests the auto industry is entering a perilous frontier in which techsavvy criminals can bypass the keyless theft-prevention countermeasures installed on certain recent models.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau said it purchased the device “via a third-party security expert from an overseas company ” that developed it “to provide manufacturers and other antitheft organizations the ability to test the vulnerability of various vehicles’ systems.”
The so-called Relay Attack device demonstrates how thieves recently stole vehicles that were supposed to be extremely difficult to swipe.
The boxy device, about the size of a smartphone, is used to capture a signal from a nearby key fob before using the signal to gain entry illegally.
The NICB said it tested the device on used cars at participating dealerships, an auto auction, employee vehicles and other cars.
In 19 of its 35 tests, the device opened the vehicle.
In 18 of those 19 entries, it was able to start the vehicle and drive away.
In other words, more than 50% of the time, the device allowed the would-be perpetrator to steal the vehicle.
“We’ve now seen for ourselves that these devices work,” NICB CEO Joe Wehrle said in a statement. “Maybe they don’t work on all makes and models but certainly on enough that car thieves can target and steal them with relative ease. And the scary part is that there’s no warning or explanation for the owner.”
The NICB said thieves use several varieties of wireless theft devices.
The criminal trend means automakers must bolster cybersecurity in the vehicles, the watchdog group said.
The group suggested that vehicle owners take their remote fob or keys with them at all times and not leave any valuables in plain sight.
A keyless device acquired by the National Insurance Crime Bureau gained entry to, started and drove more than half of 35 vehicles in a test.


NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU
Powered by TECNAVIA
A Gannett Newspaper 117th Year, No.117 Copyright 2006 The Arizona Republic
Phone-sized box subverts security tech
Nathan Bomey
@NathanBomey USA TODAY
A national watchdog group identified a device that lets thieves steal cars that use key fobs.
The device, which allows a person to open car doors, start vehicles and drive them away suggests the auto industry is entering a perilous frontier in which techsavvy criminals can bypass the keyless theft-prevention countermeasures installed on certain recent models.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau said it purchased the device “via a third-party security expert from an overseas company ” that developed it “to provide manufacturers and other antitheft organizations the ability to test the vulnerability of various vehicles’ systems.”
The so-called Relay Attack device demonstrates how thieves recently stole vehicles that were supposed to be extremely difficult to swipe.
The boxy device, about the size of a smartphone, is used to capture a signal from a nearby key fob before using the signal to gain entry illegally.
The NICB said it tested the device on used cars at participating dealerships, an auto auction, employee vehicles and other cars.
In 19 of its 35 tests, the device opened the vehicle.
In 18 of those 19 entries, it was able to start the vehicle and drive away.
In other words, more than 50% of the time, the device allowed the would-be perpetrator to steal the vehicle.
“We’ve now seen for ourselves that these devices work,” NICB CEO Joe Wehrle said in a statement. “Maybe they don’t work on all makes and models but certainly on enough that car thieves can target and steal them with relative ease. And the scary part is that there’s no warning or explanation for the owner.”
The NICB said thieves use several varieties of wireless theft devices.
The criminal trend means automakers must bolster cybersecurity in the vehicles, the watchdog group said.
The group suggested that vehicle owners take their remote fob or keys with them at all times and not leave any valuables in plain sight.
A keyless device acquired by the National Insurance Crime Bureau gained entry to, started and drove more than half of 35 vehicles in a test.


NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU
Powered by TECNAVIA
A Gannett Newspaper 117th Year, No.117 Copyright 2006 The Arizona Republic
12-08-2016, 11:19 AM
#2
Drifting
Member Since: May 2013
Location: Mountain View California
Posts: 1,317
Received 154 Likes
on
112 Posts
IDK if it is the same thing but I heard that the thieves had to be in the area. Then when you locked your door via the fob, they could capture the fobs signal. However if you manually locked your door as you got out of your car there was no signal from the fob for them to capture. 
12-08-2016, 11:29 AM
#5
Moderator
Member Since: Dec 2002
Location: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Posts: 40,066
Received 3,579 Likes
on
1,619 Posts
The keyless entry/push button start system in the Corvette uses a rolling code system so that if you capture one it still wont start your car. If it were a problem, Insurance companies would be all over it like ugly on an ape. Your premiums would skyrocket.
12-08-2016, 01:13 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
The vulnerabilities are real. Anecdotal evidence suggests it hasn't been a problem for Corvettes, but that could just be because the PITA factor is too high.
If you're brave and willing to do whatever it takes to steal a car you can always pull up with a flatbed, or resort to violence.
Key hacking is for criminals who want something discrete and relatively easy. Once it gets easier, it will become more commonplace.
12-08-2016, 01:33 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
See story from last night's NBC Nightly News:
http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/...s-827471939792
Here is the original NICB article:
https://www.nicb.org/newsroom/news-r...tarts-vehicles
http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/...s-827471939792
Here is the original NICB article:
https://www.nicb.org/newsroom/news-r...tarts-vehicles
Last edited by RC4G; 12-08-2016 at 01:38 PM.
12-08-2016, 01:58 PM
#9
Race Director
See story from last night's NBC Nightly News:
http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/...s-827471939792
Here is the original NICB article:
https://www.nicb.org/newsroom/news-r...tarts-vehicles
http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/...s-827471939792
Here is the original NICB article:
https://www.nicb.org/newsroom/news-r...tarts-vehicles
12-08-2016, 02:36 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
Not going to get overly concerned & love the new technology. Even if thieves can 'hack' our FOBs, it's no bigger threat/risk of having your vehicle stolen then a non-FOB one. Bottom line is there have been car thieves since the first vehicles started rolling off the assembly line (horse thieves before that) and there always will be and they will continue to find ways to do so. All we can do is try to deter them from taking ours. 
Last edited by Welker1; 12-08-2016 at 02:37 PM.
12-08-2016, 02:37 PM
#12
12-08-2016, 03:37 PM
#13
I saw the national news story last night. They had the tech and showed how it was able to get into the cars easily.
It does seem like you could just avoid using the FOB to lock/unlock the car and you could skirt the issue.
It does seem like you could just avoid using the FOB to lock/unlock the car and you could skirt the issue.
12-08-2016, 03:44 PM
#14
Instructor
We should all be aware, but not overly concerned. You can always get 'the club' for the steering wheel. Young thugs can't deal with or don't have the patience for old school.
12-08-2016, 04:02 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
I'd vote for "FOE" but not for the reasons stated. As these high technology cars that do everything automatically, like turn on the lights and allow keyless entry and wipe your nose for you, get older, their market value will sag to the point that repairing any one of these systems could wind up costing more than the value of the car. Then they aren't worth fixing and they take that long ride to the crusher. There aren't going to be any vintage car shows in about 25 years except for the cars that preceded the technology boom like '80s Mustangs and Camaros. Hell, mechanics look at my '69 Mustang 302 with a Road Demon carburetor and most don't know anything about it. Maybe the pre-tech cars will just die of neglect or forgotten knowledge.
Jeez, I've gotta cheer up. Forgive me. I'm a fan of the Raiders (10-2 for the first time in a couple of decades) and they are playing the Chiefs (9-3 with a victory over the Raiders already this year in Oakland) tonight at Arrowhead. I've got a bad feeling.
Jeez, I've gotta cheer up. Forgive me. I'm a fan of the Raiders (10-2 for the first time in a couple of decades) and they are playing the Chiefs (9-3 with a victory over the Raiders already this year in Oakland) tonight at Arrowhead. I've got a bad feeling.
Last edited by RagTop69; 12-08-2016 at 04:09 PM.
12-08-2016, 04:13 PM
#16
Drifting
If someone is going to steal my car, I would rather it be some tech savvy thief that doesn't damage the car, just in case I get it back from some miracle of law enforcement. Otherwise, it's well insured and I can get a new one.
12-08-2016, 05:13 PM
#18
Team Owner
Yes, I guess if you're going to read and believe 10-year old stories, you need to get rid of your C6 as soon as possible. 
12-08-2016, 05:26 PM
#20
