Keyless Entry Systems Vulnerable to Theft

Just be happy you don't have a $900 emblem :thumb:

 

I thought that must have been it, as I could not find those off-topic posts when I looked

Regarding the fob issue here is the stance I take with personal theft:

1) Chances of it happening to me are low, not just for this car but with most things
2) Insurance is a beautiful thing.

Truly, how much would I care if i came out of the grocery one day and my Prius was stolen? Maybe I'm delusional but I don't think all that much, I'd just buy another.

 

I'm gonna give you the whole Google search ( [ame="http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&=&q=keyless+entry+remote+shield&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=#hl=en&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&q=+shield+keyless+entry+remote&cp=7&qe=IHNoaWVsZCBrZXlsZXNzIGVudHJ5IHJlbW90ZQ&qesig=gg_XyRvK2XriK28jrZaX8g&pkc=AFgZ2tkY1QeJM2PO7sRijI3EYvAz2m3gEbRNX_FPNdlrfI8DJLVnmI0AnEl2AfXyRkZtJyKtQ41-DkHO_YmjxYZOTyhoaAhGNQ&pf=p&sclient=psy&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=+shield+keyless+entry+remote&pbx=1&fp=241062ed1d424d73"]keyless entry remote shield - Google Search[/ame] ) because it"s not just the twin antenna system out there, their also using laptops......... I think this could become a real issue no matter what vehicle with keyless entry and ignition. Have you forgot; "Nothing is foolproof because fools can be quite clever".

 

I really thought that person was just kidding around. I've read every post (up to this point) and I thought all were on topic. I guess I'll have to add something on topic here: I carry insurance in case some cretins try this method on my car.

 

It is my understanding... that the security code changes each time that the vehicle is started using the key fob. So without the key fob, it will not start after stolen. Even if they steal my car - it will not start without a key fob. Or, maybe a duplicate of my key fob or my key fob's signal.

By the way, I think that signals are much harder to duplicate than a person's fingerprint. But then again, I'm no expert.

 

With directional antennas the whole 3 foot issue is gone, you can send and receive signals at many times the range of the key fob and car.

 

There are two signals used by SKS keyfobs. The one used by both SKS and non-SKS keyfobs is a very high frequency signal at about 315 MHz. It is sent by the keyfob, received by the car, and has a range of about 30 feet in Gen2, 60 feet in Gen3. The other signal is a very low power, low frequency (134.2 KHz) that is sent by multiple transmitters (Toyota calls them Oscillators) mounted around the car. The range of the low frequency signal is about 3 feet, which allows the system to detect where the keyfob is located (outside the driver's door, inside the car, etc.). The low frequency signal is transmitted repeatedly whenever the system is trying to locate a keyfob, such as when the car is turned off and locked. When a keyfob hears the low frequency signal, it replies as if an invisible button has been pressed.

The vulnerability is that a radio system can be designed to extend the range of the low frequency signal. It could consist of a low frequency receiver within 3 feet of the car, a radio link to another device, and a low frequency transmitter (a SKS oscillator from a Prius will do) that repeats the original signal. There is no need for any of the equipment to understand encryption, rolling codes, or any of that. All that is necessary is to extend the range of the low frequency car-to-keyfob signal. The distance limit then becomes the button range of the keyfob. A similar range extension could be designed for the high frequency keyfob-to-car signal, in which case the range would be much farther.

The equipment to do all this is not commonly available at retail stores. But any skilled radio technician could purchase the parts and assemble them.

A technical solution would be to measure the response time between the car sending its signal and receiving the reply. It takes longer for a radio signal to travel 60 feet than it takes to travel 3 feet. But the equipment that can measure that difference is a lot more expensive than anything used in current keyfob technology.

Mechanical keys keep most people out of locked areas, but there are some people who can pick locks. Same thing with keyfob radio signals. Very few people know how, and even fewer even try, to bypass radio signal security. But it can be done.

 

On the flipside... if your lojack tells you that your car is 300 miles south of the border, surrounded by Mexican gangsters with guns, are you gonna go get it?

Car insurance and renters insurance can go on Visa/Mastercard.
Keeping a gun out of my back, priceless.