Keyless car entry systems, which are currently widespread, carry a high risk of theft;
The signal of these systems can be easily hacked.
Thief's ploy
The trick of thieves with traditional keyless entry systems is to use what is known as a range extender, which works to strengthen the car's wireless signal, to which the key responds, thus falsifying the fact that the key is in the near range of the car.
Then everything is done very easily;
German expert Arnulf Temel added, "The car's central locking is opened when the handle is touched or the button is pressed in the handle, in addition to the fact that the car is started without the ignition key by pressing the engine management button."
This thief’s trick works by two technical devices: the first is placed near the car, at a time when the other device picks up the signal of the key, for example when tracking the owner of the car after queuing it to wait or when wandering in the lanes, and the signal from the car key is usually so strong that it Penetrate walls and doors.
Ultra-wideband wireless technology
The range extender trick no longer works with the ultra-wideband wireless technology "UWB", so one must before buying a new car inquire whether it depends on the ultra-wideband wireless technology, and the German expert confirmed that this technology determines the distance with some accuracy. Between the key and the car, the wireless extension does not work anymore.
The German Automobile Club (ADAC) confirmed that global car companies, such as Jaguar, LandRover, Audi, Seat and Skoda ), Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes equip their individual models with high-bandwidth wireless technology.
motion sensors
There are other companies that rely on motion sensors, which turn off the wireless signal, if the key is not moved for a period of time, and Temel describes this method as unsafe, if the thieves steal the car immediately after placing the key, and the German expert added, “This method still works Even if the time limit is very short.
The ADAC Automobile Club recommended that customers who buy new cars think carefully about whether they can forgo keyless entry systems, which are usually very expensive, and systems that open car doors without having to take the key out of the pocket, and instead of It is possible to rely on the wireless key that the car owner has to operate manually, and the German Automobile Club confirmed that the wireless key has great protection against misuse.
Owners of cars with keyless systems can protect themselves while also affecting the degree of comfort when the system is disabled, if this is explained in the car's operating manual. External doors or windows.
Arnulf Temel stressed that wrapping the wireless key in aluminum foil is no longer a practical method, as radio waves can only be isolated if the key is wrapped very thickly, which contradicts the concept of comfort, which is provided by the car's keyless entry systems;
No one wants to carry a roll of aluminum foil with them constantly, but it is best to store the car key in a dedicated box at home.