This is crazy!!! Are the FOB's safe and secure?

[roamingphantom]

Take a read, some of you may already know this.

http://www.rightsidenews.com/201401...lly-unlock-cars-and-steal-what-is-inside.html

 

[peterk9]

Take a read, some of you may already know this.

http://www.rightsidenews.com/201401...lly-unlock-cars-and-steal-what-is-inside.html

Unless the signal you transmit is in some way encrypted, which I doubt it is, all it takes is for someone to sit in a parking lot with a frequency scanner and wait for someone to transmit a frequency with their fob or other device. The frequency can then be seen on the scanner and all that would have to be done is to reproduce that signal to open that particular vehicle. This is 'old school' and I'm sure there are more advanced methods available now. I have a couple of scanners myself that I've had for years and you'd be surprised what you can pick up with them.
I use the door handle to lock/unlock my Ex all the time. Very seldom do I use my fob for anything except opening the liftgate occasionally.

Peter

 

[ozmedia]

Unless the signal you transmit is in some way encrypted, which I doubt it is, all it takes is for someone to sit in a parking lot with a frequency scanner and wait for someone to transmit a frequency with their fob or other device. The frequency can then be seen on the scanner and all that would have to be done is to reproduce that signal to open that particular vehicle. This is 'old school' and I'm sure there are more advanced methods available now. I have a couple of scanners myself that I've had for years and you'd be surprised what you can pick up with them.
I use the door handle to lock/unlock my Ex all the time. Very seldom do I use my fob for anything except opening the liftgate occasionally.

Peter

That's a lot of work when it takes less than a minute to get in AND start it with a pair of scissors. The new fob 'trick' costs $5 and it makes for some more 'fear news' to keep people unsure of the people and world around them.

 

[peterk9]

That's a lot of work when it takes less than a minute to get in AND start it with a pair of scissors. The new fob 'trick' costs $5 and it makes for some more 'fear news' to keep people unsure of the people and world around them.

Not sure how you'd start it. The receiver would require the code of the fob for the engine to start. Also, the Limited doesn't have an ordinary door lock. In any case, I'm not loosing sleep over it. It's insured.

Peter

 

[SWEET ST]

That is why my car alarm on my bmw make a new code every time. Example when i turn car off and close the car to re open it it a new code the system make automatically...!

 

[LukerDooker]

...if the visor will open the garage door at any time, without a fob in the car and the car off;
...if the 3rd row controls will run no matter if the seats are in use or not;
...if the rear hatch will close while im standing under it doing stuff;
...then its no surprise that any OEM included fob that does not rekey is most susceptible to scanning.

 

[Sgt1411]

Im going to do some research on this because Im not buying everything here.

The fob's use a constant changing spread spectrum type frequency generator each time so it would take some pretty sophisticated crook to frequency hop until they get the correct one.

Impossible? ......no, but the average auto theft suspect doesn't get access to this equipment.

 

[dtr]

Im going to do some research on this because Im not buying everything here.

The fob's use a constant changing spread spectrum type frequency generator each time so it would take some pretty sophisticated crook to frequency hop until they get the correct one.

Impossible? ......no, but the average auto theft suspect doesn't get access to this equipment.

I thought I read a university group cracked these many years ago. How available is the equipment? I have no idea.

It is insured, but I thought you needed evidence of a break in and they may not believe an electronic hack at first. Still better to lock imo and there is little I can do other than lock it.

 

[OKC_Explorer]

Thought provoking issue for sure. I cannot fathom the idea that any modern car's remote key system wouldn't use rolling code technology. So now I'm wondering if the rolling code also has been cracked.

I will definitely think twice about using the remote to lock my new F150 and Explorer.

EDIT:

Did a little research. Car remote key systems all use "rolling code" technology. This is a random generated 32-bit code that regenerates upon every use. So replay attacks will not work on this type of system.

Therefore, if thieves are able to break into the car, they have successfully defeated the rolling code defense.

More information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_code

 

[fjc2]

There was some tech demo'd a year or two ago where two people with high tech gear could defeat any manufacturer's proximity key fobs. The way it works is that the car sends out a signal to the key fob continuously, and the key fob listens for it - when it is in range, it replies with a code. These codes change constantly so only your key works.

How the tech defeats it is one crook stands by your car and has a device that listens for the signal from the car. It then transmits it to the SECOND crook's device. 2nd crook stands next to you (for example, in line at Starbucks). His device retransmits it - your keyfob hears it and thinks it is next to the car, and transmits the reply code. 2nd crook's device picks up the reply, transmits it to the 1st crook, who's device transmits it again. The car now hears it and thinks the keyfob is near, and allows the door to open.

I saw a demo of it at a security conference, but I'm not aware of any specific cases of it being used "in the wild."

 

[roamingphantom]

another link - explaining it

http://jalopnik.com/5736774/how-hackers-can-use-smart-keys-to-steal-cars