The Police Department has been noticing a trend recently
with auto burglaries. These auto break-ins,
also called “amplification attacks, occur when thieves amplify the signal from
the vehicle key fob to trick the keyless entry system into thinking the key was
in the thieves hand. Most newer model
vehicles have a key fob that you do not have to press a button to unlock the
door. With the new fob you can simply
approach the vehicle and the door will unlock.
In some vehicles the engine will even start if the key is close enough
to the vehicle.
With a traditional press the button key fob a unique code is
created by the computer chip on the fob that pairs with the vehicles
algorithm. If the codes match up, the
vehicle doors open. There is a bit more
to it, but it is harder for thieves to hack this system.
With always-on, true keyless entry systems there is a
risk. As long as your key is in range of
the vehicle anyone can open the vehicle and think it is you. Most newer systems activates when the key is
approximately one foot away.
What thieves are doing is purchasing an amplifier. The amplifier “amplifies” the signal from
your key fob tricking your vehicle to think that the key fob is close to the
vehicle. Some of these devices can
amplify a signal up to 300 feet.
In other words, your key could be in the house and a thief
could walk next to your vehicle with one of these transmitters and open your
car door.
We spoke with the San Mateo County Vehicle Theft Task Force
and they confirmed that these type of break-ins are occurring in San Mateo
County, and that they are on the rise.
There are several
ways to block the amplified signals from thieves.
A signal blocking bag blocks the radio waves transmitted by
the key fob by surrounding it material that interferes with the radio waves.
There are several styles and models to choose from. You can also search for a
“Faraday Bag.” Here is the official Wikipedia Definition;
A Faraday cage operates because an external electrical field
causes the electric charges within the cage's conducting
material to be distributed such that they cancel the field's effect in the
cage's interior. This phenomenon is used to protect sensitive electronic equipment from external radio frequency interference (RFI).
Faraday cages are also used to enclose devices that produce RFI, such as radio
transmitters, to prevent their radio waves from interfering with other
nearby equipment. They are also used to protect people and equipment against
actual electric currents such as lightning
strikes and electrostatic discharges, since the
enclosing cage conducts current around the outside of the enclosed space and
none passes through the interior.
We have also heard that some put their key fob in the
freezer or microwave. Before you set
your key fob into a deep freeze, check with the manufacturer to make sure it
will not damage the key, and do not use the microwave if you use this option.
The last option we have seen is to wrap your key fob in aluminum
foil. While this is the easiest solution
the signal can leak if you do not wrap the key correctly.
These are just suggestions, we do not have the perfect
solution to these types of attacks, but if you own a newer keyless entry
system, please be aware. As always do
not leave anything of value in your vehicle while parked, this includes cash,
laptops, purses, or other expensive items.
Leaving these items in view will temp any thief, whether they have a
amplifying device or break into your vehicle the old school way.
Andy Greenberg (Feb.26,2017) Radio Attack Lets Hackers Steal
24 Different Car Models. Retrieved June
7th 2017, https://www.wired.com/2016/03/study-finds-24-car-models-open-unlocking-ignition-hack/
Wikipedia, Faraday Cage, retrieved June 8th 2017,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage
