Keyless Security

Aetheric Continua · Jan 29, 2016

This morning I read a story about people with keyless-entry cars being "broken" into.

"Neighbors told WRAL News that they believe technology is available which allows thieves to use a universal fob key. Someone operating the key can amplify the signal that overrides automatic locks and garage door openers."

Has anyone else read such stories? Is there anything that we can do to make our beloved (and expensive) vehicles more secure?

Mannyp93 · Jan 29, 2016

Aetheric Continua said:
This morning I read a story about people with keyless-entry cars being "broken" into.

"Neighbors told WRAL News that they believe technology is available which allows thieves to use a universal fob key. Someone operating the key can amplify the signal that overrides automatic locks and garage door openers."

Has anyone else read such stories? Is there anything that we can do to make our beloved (and expensive) vehicles more secure?

I don't know that i have heard of this before but i'm sure criminals will find a way to challenge or beat technology. You can go old school and use a wheel lock if you feel your car might be in danger. Or call Honda and see if the vehicle has a disabler that only works with the Honda FOB

jk147 · Jan 29, 2016

Aetheric Continua said:
This morning I read a story about people with keyless-entry cars being "broken" into.

"Neighbors told WRAL News that they believe technology is available which allows thieves to use a universal fob key. Someone operating the key can amplify the signal that overrides automatic locks and garage door openers."

Has anyone else read such stories? Is there anything that we can do to make our beloved (and expensive) vehicles more secure?

If you want you can build a small lead box and put the key in it, only use it when you need to get into the car. Frankly, if a professional thief really wants to get into your car there is nothing you can do to stop them. For every measure there is a counter measure, it just depends on how far they are willing to go to steal it. Most basic security should deter your typical joy riders.

camhabib · Jan 29, 2016

I think for most "break-ins" it's a matter of opportunity. A door left open or unlocked, a car parked in a dark abandoned alley, etc. If someone wants to get in, they'll find a way, either picking the lock, reading your key's RFID tag, slipping a hanger through the jam, or just putting a rock through the window. Best defense is just a bit of common sense.

My2016Civic · Feb 1, 2016

I saw a similar story on our local news a couple of days ago, but I don't feel it affects our 2016 Civics as much as vehicles that do not have the smart keys. The way they described it, when you use your remote to lock/unlock, the thieves can capture the code being transmitted and use that to access your vehicle.

I may be wrong here, but with our 'smart keys', we are not actually using the remote to lock/unlock. The vehile and fob proximity sensor, which does not transmit at the same frequency or distance, allows the computer within the car to unlock when we touch the handle or lock when the proximity sensor detects that we have walked away from it. There is no actual lock/unlock signal being transmitted.

Now, if we do use the fob to transmit a lock/unlock signal or remote start the vehicle, then there is a chance that we would fall prey to such tech savvy thieves (which there aren't likely to be too many of). So I feel safe that our chances of falling prey to this are not as high as those who do have to use the remotes to lock/unlock their vehicles.

Mocha90210 · Feb 1, 2016

If someone really wanted your vehicle, they could simply tow it away and strip it down for parts in no time at all. As mentioned by camhabib (above), let common sense prevail. A locked car will generally encourage a potential thief to move on.

My2016Civic · Feb 1, 2016

Mocha90210 said:
If someone really wanted your vehicle, they could simply tow it away and strip it down for parts in no time at all. As mentioned by camhabib (above), let common sense prevail. A locked car will generally encourage a potential thief to move on.

You've got that right. If they want it bad enough and have more than two brain cells, they'll take it! Then again, human nature is to take the easiest path, so if your car is locked/armed, they will move on to something easier to take..

camhabib · Feb 1, 2016

My2016Civic said:
I saw a similar story on our local news a couple of days ago, but I don't feel it affects our 2016 Civics as much as vehicles that do not have the smart keys. The way they described it, when you use your remote to lock/unlock, the thieves can capture the code being transmitted and use that to access your vehicle.

I may be wrong here, but with our 'smart keys', we are not actually using the remote to lock/unlock. The vehile and fob proximity sensor, which does not transmit at the same frequency or distance, allows the computer within the car to unlock when we touch the handle or lock when the proximity sensor detects that we have walked away from it. There is no actual lock/unlock signal being transmitted.

Now, if we do use the fob to transmit a lock/unlock signal or remote start the vehicle, then there is a chance that we would fall prey to such tech savvy thieves (which there aren't likely to be too many of). So I feel safe that our chances of falling prey to this are not as high as those who do have to use the remotes to lock/unlock their vehicles.

Our keys do emmit a signal, constantly at that, which is how the car knows when a key is nearby or moved out of range. If anything, keys like ours are even easier to capture the signal from since they're constant on, vs instantaneous when it's just a lock or unlock signal.

My2016Civic · Feb 1, 2016

camhabib said:
Our keys do emmit a signal, constantly at that, which is how the car knows when a key is nearby or moved out of range. If anything, keys like ours are even easier to capture the signal from since they're constant on, vs instantaneous when it's just a lock or unlock signal.

The point I was trying to make is that the "Here I am, close to the door, you can now unlock" signal is a weaker, short-distance proximity signal that tells the car's computer it is okay to unlock when the handle is touched. Being that it is a weaker short-distance proximity signal it is not as likely to be captured by someone with a code grabber device that is not right next to the car. It is not the same as when you press lock or unlock as that needs to transmit at greater distances and actually signal to either lock or unlock rather than "Here I am".

Threemaples · Feb 1, 2016

My2016Civic said:
The point I was trying to make is that the "Here I am, close to the door, you can now unlock" signal is a weaker, short-distance proximity signal that tells the car's computer it is okay to unlock when the handle is touched. Being that it is a weaker short-distance proximity signal it is not as likely to be captured by someone with a code grabber device that is not right next to the car. It is not the same as when you press lock or unlock as that needs to transmit at greater distances and actually signal to either lock or unlock rather than "Here I am".

Saw something on TV a few weeks ago describing the recent bust of a group who were working the ports/docks and when new vehicles were rolled out of containers, they would secretly record the VIN. They then used a mole in Drivers License office to track down the address of the new car owner after the car was sold and registered. Using the VIN and a special coding box, they created a new car and easily stole the car right out of the driveway.

R

ICanLiftACivicUp · Feb 1, 2016

Threemaples said:
Saw something on TV a few weeks ago describing the recent bust of a group who were working the ports/docks and when new vehicles were rolled out of containers, they would secretly record the VIN. They then used a mole in Drivers License office to track down the address of the new car owner after the car was sold and registered. Using the VIN and a special coding box, they created a new car and easily stole the car right out of the driveway.

R

Sounds damn near fake to me. If real, that group probably sees loads of foreign cars to target, not something to be concerned with for civics in NA. Also, do the VINs even appear on the manifest? Or do they need to open up every container, peel away any protecting film/sheets, and write down the VIN from there? Finally, I would find it highly unlikely that the VIN is used in the keyless entry signal, especially in cars where the signal is 'randomized' every time it is used.... Like I said, sounds fake.

dick w · Feb 1, 2016

Not to mention that production cars, even S-Class and F-Type and so on, aren't shipped in containers but on giant Ro-Ro ships and the ports of entry can be/typically is nowhere near where the car ultimately sells. My BMW 135i came in at Port Hueneme, CA, and, IIRC, my M-B SLK230 came in at Houston. Both were first sold in Colorado.

david1pro · Feb 2, 2016

Ya, there's no way the VINs are coded to the key - the VIN numbers are right out there in the open on the car. Your neighbor could walk up to your car and find the VIN. Clearly a fake story.

Keyless Security

Aetheric Continua

Senior Member

Mannyp93

Senior Member

jk147

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camhabib

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My2016Civic

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Mocha90210

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My2016Civic

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camhabib

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My2016Civic

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Threemaples

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ICanLiftACivicUp

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dick w

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david1pro

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