KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM HACKS ARE MAKING NEWS HEADLINES
KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM HACKS ARE MAKING NEWS HEADLINES
Don't be the next victim! Shield your keyfob's signal with the Mission Darkness Faraday Bag designed to prevent the "signal relay" crime.
It's a story that's becoming popular across headlines in the news, where criminals are using mysterious radio devices to gain access to automobiles without forceful entry. Owners are bewildered and law enforcement officials are perplexed about how the crime could have occurred so close to home and even in broad daylight.
WIRED explains how the crime occurs and advises car owners to keep their keys in a faraday bag.
WIRED explains how the crime occurs and advises car owners to keep their keys in a faraday bag.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAR SAFE FROM ELECTRONIC THIEVES
The crime is taking place all over the world where unsuspecting owners think their cars are locked and safe, only to be shocked when they realize an intruder has taken their belongings and even outright stolen the vehicle in some cases. There is no broken glass or sign that the car has been tampered with. Video footage has even captured the crime taking place. The thief just walks up to the car and simply opens the door. So how do they do it?
HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAR SAFE FROM ELECTRONIC THIEVES
The crime is taking place all over the world where unsuspecting owners think their cars are locked and safe, only to be shocked when they realize an intruder has taken their belongings and even outright stolen the vehicle in some cases. There is no broken glass or sign that the car has been tampered with. Video footage has even captured the crime taking place. The thief just walks up to the car and simply opens the door. So how do they do it?
In this digital age it seems just about everything can be hacked, and unfortunately our handy keyless entry systems are just another target for hackers. This crime doesn't require much skill or technical background; it's actually fairly basic and inexpensive to carry out. Here's how most of these crimes take place:
In this digital age it seems just about everything can be hacked, and unfortunately our handy keyless entry systems are just another target for hackers. This crime doesn't require much skill or technical background; it's actually fairly basic and inexpensive to carry out. Here's how most of these crimes take place:
When you're away from your vehicle, the criminal goes near you and your keys (which are always broadcasting a signal) then uses a power amplifier to broaden the faint signal from the keyfob and output it back to the car at full strength so the car thinks the keyfob is telling it to unlock.
When you're away from your vehicle, the criminal goes near you and your keys (which are always broadcasting a signal) then uses a power amplifier to broaden the faint signal from the keyfob and output it back to the car at full strength so the car thinks the keyfob is telling it to unlock.
Check out these video clips showing how the signal relay crime occurs:
Check out these video clips showing how the crime occurs:
Don't let this happen to you! Be proactive by keeping your keyfob shielded when not in use.
Generally with keyless entry systems, when you walk near the door or try the handle, the key and lock communicate with each other to allow access without actually pressing any buttons or turning a traditional key. Usually this has to be done within a few feet of each other, but with a power amplifier, the signal can be transmitted a few hundred feet away. So while your car may be parked in your driveway next to your house with your keys on the premises, a thief could easily purchase an amplifier online and use it to unlock and start your car. This crime is also taking place in shopping mall parking lots, populated streets, college campuses, and sporting events.
Generally with keyless entry systems, when you walk near the door or try the handle, the key and lock communicate with each other to allow access without actually pressing any buttons or turning a traditional key. Usually this has to be done within a few feet of each other, but with a power amplifier, the signal can be transmitted a few hundred feet away. So while your car may be parked in your driveway next to your house with your keys on the premises, a thief could easily purchase an amplifier online and use it to unlock and start your car. This crime is also taking place in shopping mall parking lots, populated streets, college campuses, and sporting events.
Millions of Americans use wireless keyfobs and are vulnerable to these types of signal amplification hacks. While the automobile industry and National Insurance Crime Bureau are working on solutions to combat the problem, they have a few suggestions for us now.
Millions of Americans use wireless keyfobs and are vulnerable to these types of signal amplification hacks. While the automobile industry and National Insurance Crime Bureau are working on solutions to combat the problem, they have a few suggestions for us now.
- Don't ever leave valuables inside the vehicle.
- When your keyfob is not in use, place it in the Mission Darkness Keyfob Faraday Bag to block the signal it emits.
- Don't ever leave valuables inside the vehicle.
- When your keyfob is not in use, place it in the Mission Darkness Keyfob Faraday Bag to block the signal it emits.
Although #1 seems like a no-brainer, it may deter a criminal from targeting your vehicle if they don't see anything worth taking. As for using a faraday bag, you can be certain that a criminal will not be amplifying your keyfob signal while your keys are inside the bag. The Mission Darkness Faraday Bag for Keyfobs is the only bag on the market made with dual paired seam construction shields with 60db-80db average attenuation to block ALL signals including WiFi (2.4 & 5GHz), Bluetooth, cell signals (4G LTE+), GPS, RFID, and radio signals. Your keys easily slip inside the reusable bag which can be attached to a keyring, belt, or kept worry free inside a pocket or purse.
For the same price it costs to create radio gadgets that can steal your car, you can purchase a faraday bag to protect your vehicle!
Although #1 seems like a no-brainer, it may deter a criminal from targeting your vehicle if they don't see anything worth taking. As for using a faraday bag, you can be certain that a criminal will not be amplifying your keyfob signal while your keys are inside the bag.
The Mission Darkness Faraday Bag for Keyfobs is the only bag on the market made with dual paired seam construction shields with 60db-80db average attenuation to block ALL signals including WiFi (2.4 & 5GHz), Bluetooth, cell signals (4G LTE+), GPS, RFID, and radio signals. Your keys easily slip inside the reusable bag which can be attached to a keyring, belt, or kept worry free inside a pocket or purse.
For the same price it costs to create radio gadgets that can steal your car, you can purchase a faraday bag to protect your vehicle!
SHIELD ALL OF YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH THIS BAG
The Mission Darkness Faraday Bag for Keyfobs can also be used to protect small electronics like Apple watches, credit cards, and security badges from signal hacking attempts. Homemade faraday cages like storing electronics in a metal container, freezer, or covering in aluminum foil do not effectively shield devices. Additionally, these makeshift cages aren't viable solutions for everyday use and travel.
SHIELD ALL OF YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The Mission Darkness Faraday Bag for Keyfobs can also be used to protect small electronics like Apple watches, credit cards, and security badges from signal hacking attempts. Homemade faraday cages like storing electronics in a metal container, freezer, or covering in aluminum foil do not effectively shield devices. Additionally, these makeshift cages aren't viable solutions for everyday use and travel.
OTHER APPLICATIONS FOR THE MISSION DARKNESS BAG
- Integrate with remote start and car control apps. Use apps like Viper SmartStart or OnStar Remote Link to start or unlock your car, and keep your keyfob inside by using the keyfob faraday bag. Just remove the keyfob from the bag when you need to drive the vehicle, otherwise the app will not allow the vehicle to move. This is the perfect solution for families or businesses sharing a vehicle because there is no need to actually transfer keys in person.
- Keep a spare keyfob in your car in case you lose your primary one. Modern cars will not allow you to lock the car with the keyfob inside, thus the need to shield the signal for when you actually want to keep one inside. Simply keep a spare keyfob inside the bag in a safe compartment, and call a locksmith or car service to unlock your vehicle in the unfortunate event of losing your keys. Don't get stranded without a backup plan.
OTHER APPLICATIONS FOR THE MD BAG
- Integrate with remote start and car control apps. Use apps like Viper SmartStart or OnStar Remote Link to start or unlock your car, and keep your keyfob inside by using the keyfob faraday bag. Just remove the keyfob from the bag when you need to drive the vehicle, otherwise the app will not allow the vehicle to move. This is the perfect solution for families or businesses sharing a vehicle because there is no need to actually transfer keys in person.
- Keep a spare keyfob in your car in case you lose your primary one. Modern cars will not allow you to lock the car with the keyfob inside, thus the need to shield the signal for when you actually want to keep one inside. Simply keep a spare keyfob inside the bag in a safe compartment, and call a locksmith or car service to unlock your vehicle in the unfortunate event of losing your keys. Don't get stranded without a backup plan.
