Sylvie Willis
Smart keys and keyless entry have fuelled a new wave of car thefts. In England and Wales, car thefts have risen by more than 50% in the last decade, with British motorists facing an increase in thefts and rising insurance premiums. Opportunistic thieves are exploiting vulnerabilities in keyless technology, such as intercepting signals from cars to gain access and start the engine. This has led to a surge in car thefts, often without the need for forced entry or sophisticated techniques. The issue is not limited to a specific car brand, with multiple manufacturers' vehicles appearing vulnerable to these attacks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | February 2024 |
| Location | England and Wales |
| Car theft increase | 50% increase from 85,803 vehicles in the year to March 2012 to 130,270 in the year to March 2023 |
| Cause of increase | Rise of keyless entry |
| Vulnerable car models | Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia Niro, Hyundai Ioniq, Kia, Toyota, Lexus |
| Preventative measures | Steering locks, Faraday pouches, accelerometer in the fob, software security upgrades |
| Insurance impact | Rising insurance premiums |
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What You'll Learn
The rise of keyless entry
The traditional car key has been an essential component of car ownership for decades, providing drivers with access to their vehicles and ensuring their security. However, with advances in technology, the traditional car key has been replaced by keyless entry systems, which have become increasingly popular among car manufacturers in recent years.
The evolution of car keys can be traced back to the 1980s when car manufacturers introduced keyless entry systems that used a remote control to unlock the car doors and disarm the alarm. These early systems used radio waves or infrared technology to communicate with the car's onboard computer, allowing drivers to unlock their cars from a distance. In the 1990s, car manufacturers introduced transponder keys, which contained a microchip that communicated with the car's computer, enabling the engine to start when the key was inserted into the ignition.
Today, many car manufacturers have adopted more advanced keyless entry systems that use a key fob or a smartphone app to communicate with the car's computer. These systems allow drivers to unlock their cars and start the engine without inserting a physical key into the ignition. Some keyless entry systems even offer remote engine start functionality, allowing drivers to start their cars from a distance.
While keyless entry systems have brought about increased convenience, they have also introduced new security risks. Relay attacks, for instance, are a relatively new form of car theft that exploits the vulnerabilities of keyless entry systems. Thieves use devices to intercept and amplify the signal between the car's key fob and its onboard computer, enabling them to unlock and start the car without possessing the physical key. Additionally, as cars become increasingly connected to the internet, they become more susceptible to cyber-attacks, where hackers can gain unauthorized access to the vehicle's systems and data.
To address these security concerns, car manufacturers have implemented various software security upgrades. For instance, modern systems since the mid-1990s have incorporated encryption and rotating entry codes to prevent signal interception by thieves. Furthermore, some car owners have resorted to using steering locks as an additional deterrent against theft. Despite these countermeasures, the rise of keyless entry systems has undoubtedly contributed to a new wave of car thefts, highlighting the ongoing arms race between automotive security and criminal innovation.
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Tech-savvy thieves hacking key fobs
Tech-savvy thieves are increasingly hacking key fobs to unlock and steal cars. This is called a "relay attack", where the signal transmitted by a nearby key fob is grabbed using a special receiver, which then relays the signal to the car, allowing the thief to unlock it and even start the ignition. This is done by boosting the signal from the key fob, which is then relayed to a second device held close to the car door. The car is tricked into thinking the key fob is next to it, allowing thieves to open, start, and drive away the car.
Instances of tech-savvy thieves hacking key fobs are still considered rare. However, law enforcement is concerned about the rise of this new type of car theft. In 2015, the Met warned that 6,000 cars and vans a year were being stolen without the use of keys. Last year, insurance company Aviva reported that owners of modern keyless vehicles were twice as likely to make a theft claim. Car thefts are at their highest level in a decade in England and Wales, rising from 85,803 vehicles in the year to March 2012 to 130,270 in the year to March 2023, an increase of more than 50%.
To prevent key fob hacking, it is recommended to use products that block electromagnetic and radio frequencies, such as Faraday bags or cages. Additionally, storing key fobs in a metal container or safe, or even a fridge, can help block the signal from being intercepted. Keeping the key fob away from the front door and as far away from the car as possible can also reduce the risk of signal boosting.
While car companies have started to implement software security upgrades, they are criticized for responding too slowly to warnings. Jaguar Land Rover, for example, announced a £10 million investment to upgrade commonly stolen models built between 2018 and 2022. Hyundai also stated that it is looking at measures to prevent the use of emulators, devices that intercept signals from cars scanning for legitimate keys, as a priority.
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The vulnerability of specific car models
The vulnerability of car models to theft depends on the type of locking system they have. Cars with keyless entry systems are particularly vulnerable to theft. This is because thieves can gain entry into the car and drive off without needing a physical key. In the UK, keyless car thefts have dominated headlines over the past couple of years. A study by Thatcham Research in 2020 assessed how resilient a number of cars were to keyless theft, awarding them Poor, Basic, and Superior ratings. The study found that some car models were more susceptible to keyless theft than others. For instance, the Kia Niro and the Hyundai Ioniq have been identified as vulnerable to new theft devices.
Cars with physical keys are not completely safe either. Thieves can break into houses to steal physical keys or use a photograph of a key to make a copy. However, keyless cars are more susceptible to theft because they are more convenient for thieves. They don't have to break into houses to steal keys, and they can use devices to intercept signals from the car and gain access.
Some car manufacturers have introduced preventative measures to curb keyless car theft. For example, Jaguar Land Rover announced a £10 million investment to upgrade commonly stolen models built between 2018 and 2022. Hyundai also said it was looking at measures to prevent the use of "emulators", devices that intercept signals from cars, as a priority.
To protect against keyless car theft, it is recommended to keep the vehicle's software updated and install aftermarket security systems. Keeping the key fob away from the car and the house can also make it harder for thieves to detect and amplify the key signal.
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The role of the car industry in preventing theft
The car industry has been aware of the vulnerabilities of keyless cars for over a decade. However, it has been criticised for responding too slowly to implement effective security measures. Despite this, car manufacturers are required by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to label major vehicle components and replacement parts to help authorities trace and recover stolen parts. The NHTSA also encourages manufacturers to install passive anti-theft devices, such as immobiliser systems, as standard equipment.
Jaguar Land Rover, for instance, announced a £10 million investment to upgrade commonly stolen models built between 2018 and 2022. Hyundai, a carmaker whose vehicles have been targeted by thieves, has stated that it is looking at measures to prevent the use of emulators, which intercept signals from cars, as a priority. Similarly, Kia has stated that all of its vehicles meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and that its models from 2022 onwards are equipped with engine immobilisers. Hyundai and Kia also provide steering wheel locks, at no cost, to police departments that are heavily impacted by car thefts. Hyundai also offers a security kit through its dealerships that can be added to at-risk models.
To further prevent car theft, car manufacturers can also implement the following measures:
- Audible and visible devices: These devices, such as horn alarms, deter theft by bringing attention to an unauthorised attempt to enter a vehicle.
- Immobilising-type devices: These devices prevent thieves from bypassing a vehicle's ignition system and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some incorporate computer chips into ignition keys or disable the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine.
- Vehicle recovery systems: These devices use electronic transmission technology to help law enforcement track the location of stolen vehicles and catch the thief.
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The impact on insurance premiums
The rise in car thefts due to smart keys has had a significant impact on insurance premiums. In the UK, motorists are facing rising insurance premiums as a result of the increase in car thefts. For example, before his car was stolen, Steve Jessop's annual car insurance premium had increased from £574 to £2,240.
Insurance companies are charging higher rates to owners of cars that are more susceptible to theft due to their keyless entry systems. This has resulted in increased costs for car owners, with some cars becoming uninsurable. For example, Jaguar Land Rover invested £10 million to upgrade commonly stolen models after complaints from owners that their vehicles were essentially uninsurable.
The increase in car thefts has also led to a rise in the cost of insurance claims, as the stolen vehicles are often damaged or written off. This has resulted in higher payouts from insurance companies, which are then passed on to consumers in the form of higher premiums.
Additionally, insurance companies are recommending or requiring additional security measures to be eligible for coverage, which can also increase costs for car owners. For example, some insurance companies may require the use of a "Faraday pouch," a bag that blocks incoming and outgoing radio signals, to prevent key fob signals from being copied.
The impact of smart keys on insurance premiums is likely to continue to evolve as manufacturers implement security upgrades and introduce new technologies to deter thieves.
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Frequently asked questions
Smart keys are keyless devices that use radio signals to communicate with a car. The car scans for the presence of a legitimate key and, once it receives the right signal, grants access to the vehicle.
Thieves can intercept the signal from the car and send back a signal to gain access to the vehicle. They can also hack into the onboard diagnostic port, which allows them to access the vehicle's computer systems. In some cases, thieves can duplicate a key fob from outside a person's home.
Car owners can carry their keys in a "Faraday pouch", which blocks incoming and outgoing radio signals. Car manufacturers are also working on developing technical solutions to make their vehicles more secure.
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