Security concerns
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 3
From: Southwest Florida
Security concerns
Just traded in my 99 for a sunset orange C6 yesterday (paid a few buck more to get the new one). 
I have a few concerns about security. At first glance, the keyless stuff and all the gadgets might make it appear more difficult to steal this car (without towing it anyway), but it makes me wonder how long it will be until someone finds a back door for all this electronic stuff. You know, some clever thief who finds a loophole or bug that makes them easy to steal.
For example, could someone electronically "sniff" your key fob as you walk by, or even as you are in the car, and then create a duplicate? How easy is the rear license plate key lock to pick, since that's a security weak point in my book?
I certainly hope these things (fob to car communications) were heavily engineered so that they'd be hard to crack. Does anyone know? I just fear that sniffing the signal coming off a key fob would be easier than having a key made, or that there might be a weak spot in the design that might not come out until later.
Mike
I have a few concerns about security. At first glance, the keyless stuff and all the gadgets might make it appear more difficult to steal this car (without towing it anyway), but it makes me wonder how long it will be until someone finds a back door for all this electronic stuff. You know, some clever thief who finds a loophole or bug that makes them easy to steal.
For example, could someone electronically "sniff" your key fob as you walk by, or even as you are in the car, and then create a duplicate? How easy is the rear license plate key lock to pick, since that's a security weak point in my book?
I certainly hope these things (fob to car communications) were heavily engineered so that they'd be hard to crack. Does anyone know? I just fear that sniffing the signal coming off a key fob would be easier than having a key made, or that there might be a weak spot in the design that might not come out until later.
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
I admit I know _absolutely nothing_ about the technology GM used in the fob's in the C6. But I would hazard a guess that there is some spread-spectrum "frequency hopping" involved that would make it much more difficult than just recording the last signal transmitted and rebroadcasting it.
As for your other concerns, someone else will have to address them. But, I doubt the lock you mentioned is any more difficult to "pick" than any other automotive lock cylinder.
Hey, that's what your comprehensive is for, right?
Regards,
BadAttitude
As for your other concerns, someone else will have to address them. But, I doubt the lock you mentioned is any more difficult to "pick" than any other automotive lock cylinder.
Hey, that's what your comprehensive is for, right?
Regards,
BadAttitude
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,869
Likes: 2
From: San Diego CA
I've read about the technology but it's not my area of expertise so I can't regurgitate it for you. Needless to say, this isn't going to be a problem. It uses a level of encryption that is almost impossible to break.
