Wireless hack affects 24 cars from 19 mfrs.

"BJ" (benjamin-bignell)
03/23/2016 at 10:09 • Filed to: Hacking

Some !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! shows that a large number of cars can be easily unlocked and driven away without the key or key fob.

As consumers we rely on carmakers to provide us with safe technology yet we also demand convenience at almost any price. Eventually, the risks start to outweigh the benefits.

DISCUSSION (31)

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > BJ
03/23/2016 at 10:15

BRB... Going to try this on my dad’s Camry

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > BJ
03/23/2016 at 10:17

I’m still not sure what the big deal is with not turning a key.

I like turning a key to start my car.

And is holding down a button really any better than turning a key?

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > BJ
03/23/2016 at 10:18

Yet another reason why keys are better than push button.

jariten1781 > BJ
03/23/2016 at 10:22

Um...this is news? Also, calling amplifying a signal 'hacking' is really stretching the term.

TheRealBicycleBuck > BJ
03/23/2016 at 10:26

Time to invest.

Kinja'd!!!

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > BJ
03/23/2016 at 10:27

Because in the past in order to steal a car you needed the key? How is this any different than before?

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/23/2016 at 10:28

There wasn’t one until Ford’s Fiesta vs Gallardo commercials.

So do I.

Not for me, because I can turn the key and let go, and it’ll crank until it starts (unless something’s wrong and it times out. I’ve run into that if I’m really low on gas). But for cars where you have to hold the key to keep it cranking, I’d probably be more comfortable with a button. Subaru Outback springs to mind. It sounds pretty much the same on startup as it does when it’s cranking, so it’s easy to either hold it too long or too short.

Tripper > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/23/2016 at 10:32

It’s more for the convenience of never having to take the key out of your pocket to lock/unlock, or start the car.

I used to shun the fob, now I’m one of those assholes who forgets and leaves with the key when I have to valet.

You don’t have to hold the button down, at least not in any of the cars I have owned/driven with push button starts. Just a tap and you’re good.

Moves-Like-Senna > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/23/2016 at 10:35

As much as I like turning a key, I will admit I prefer the button on a DD of sorts as of late.

I hop between 5+ cars a week and am usually really on the go, or driving 500+ miles in one shot.

Remote start saves me time and is great for the 8 months of winter we get up here. Also, when switching cars that often, I know the key usually goes somewhere on the dash or steering column but with such drastic changes on interiors it can be a pain to find (911 Turbo to Prius C to an F550). Even if I have no idea where the button is, it’s usually red or lit up making it easy to find without thinking.

I also don’t need to know where the key is, I hate digging in my pockets and a fob can just stay in my coat and never has to come out.

Also having no keys on the damn steering colunn is a godsend. The sound can be frustrating depending what’s on that keychain, but worse, being 6ft3.5 it’s made columns that little bit smaller. My knee’s are less likely to hit something.

I will admit when I am driving something for pleasure I prefer turning the key.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
03/23/2016 at 10:40

I’ve never had a car I didn’t realize was “started” after cranking nor have I had whatever weirdo crank assist you’re referring to above, hold key until engine starts then let go.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > BJ
03/23/2016 at 10:40

If you take the key out of the car after it’s started the FieSTa bitches about it, and although it will continue to run, once you shut it off it will not restart unless the key is back inside the vehicle.

I’m not sure how it determines the key is INSIDE or not, triangulation? it really doesn’t seem to be signal strength, as having the door open, but the key just a foot outside the sill triggers the “Key not inside vehicle!” warning, as does, in my testing, rolling down the window and holding the key outside at arm’s length.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Tripper
03/23/2016 at 10:42

not all key fobs auto-unlock the cars though, so you still have to take the key fob out.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Moves-Like-Senna
03/23/2016 at 10:44

couple things

1 I’m all for remote start and use it all the time, I still have to put the key in when I get to the car though. I’m in Michigan - I get the winter thing. Pre-heating the car is 100% worth it.

I’ve driven fob cars that you still have to take the key out to unlock it so it doesn’t help any with that. Or I guess if you memorize the buttons you can leave it in your pocket.

Tripper > BJ
03/23/2016 at 10:45

I don’t think the risks outweigh the benefits here. Car thievery is not a new thing, and while this method at surface view makes it “easier” to steal one, the outcome is the same.

If my car gets stolen, hopefully it is never found. I get a check from the insurance company and go buy a new car.

Tripper > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/23/2016 at 10:47

Almost all of them have the touch feature on the door handle to lock/unlock. If they don’t have that feature, those fobs have to be “plugged in” to the dash before you can start the car.

Moves-Like-Senna > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/23/2016 at 10:51

Depending on the vehicle you don’t have to take out the FOB. For FCA products like a 300 or Charger, you can just leave it in your pocket and walk up the car and pull the handle and it’ll unlock. If I remember you touch the handle twice and it unlocks all doors. It’s really handy!

Moves-Like-Senna > Tripper
03/23/2016 at 10:52

We live in a great era haha

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/23/2016 at 10:52

Twisting the key just feels good.

TheRealBicycleBuck > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
03/23/2016 at 10:54

Because in order to steal it before, something had to be broken or jimmied open. That takes time and draws attention.

With this method, all they have to do is turn on their repeater, walk up to your car, open the door, and push the button to start the car.

Tripper > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
03/23/2016 at 10:54

It’s not.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/23/2016 at 11:04

Yeah, I think it’s a GM thing. It just throws me off when I get in something else and I turn the key and it just kicks.

The Outback 3.6 motor is really whiney on startup. So is the starter motor. The worst part is, it sounds like it’s caught just before it actually does, and if you let go of the key then, well...

You’d get used to it, obviously. But coming from my truck it’s a bit of a curveball

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
03/23/2016 at 11:05

I’ll just keep my key for now...

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/23/2016 at 11:06

Mechanical switches are always better.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > TheRealBicycleBuck
03/23/2016 at 11:06

When I was growing up in the late 80's early 90's the average time it took to steal a car was less than 2 minutes. Nothing has changed other than the methods of stealing the car.

BJ > Tripper
03/23/2016 at 11:26

This is where the difference lies: if you have to hit a button to unlock the doors, and then put the key into the dash, theives are going to have a harder time stealing your car. It wouldn’t be impossible to do, but unless there’s something very special about your car that makes the effort worthwhile, they will move on to the next sucker.

But if all they have to do is range-extend your fob’s signal and get the car running long enough to load it onto a truck, the math is easy...

BJ > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
03/23/2016 at 11:29

Your right, nothing has changed. The point is that these fancy systems are a giant, unnecessary loophole created by the desire for convenience. I’d rather have to manipulate the fob and be an active participant in the security systems of my car.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > BJ
03/23/2016 at 11:37

True, but your average consumer could give two shits about security if it makes them have to actively do something. I mean could you imagine if banks mandated two factor authentication and complex unique passwords for online banking? People would flip shit about the “inconvenience” of having to worry about that never mind the fact that it would make their money that much harder to steal.

BJ > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
03/23/2016 at 11:40

Exactly! People think that security is a state, something fixed in space and time. In reality it’s a process, a series of actions and conscious choices to be made.

The former is easier, so that’s what people want to be sold.

TheRealBicycleBuck > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
03/23/2016 at 11:48

You are mistaken. A guy in front of a restaurant with a slim-jim has a much greater chance of being noticed. With this device, someone could walk up to a car, get in, and drive away without anyone giving him a second glance.

By making it so much easier to steal a car, this device opens up many more places to steal a car unnoticed.

Tripper > BJ
03/23/2016 at 11:54

There are lots of devices that make it “more difficult” to steal a car. The outcome is still the same. Car is stolen and replaced by insurance. In addition most of the people that I know leave the fob in the car anyway.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > TheRealBicycleBuck
03/23/2016 at 11:58

*A bad car thief has a much greater chance of being noticed.

FIFY.