High-tech attacks used to bypass vehicle security systems

[Daniel Puchert]

High-tech car theft warning for South Africa

Car thieves in South Africa have stepped up their game and are using highly sophisticated gadgets to break into motorists' cars within seconds.

According to Tracker Connect COO Duma Ngcobo, car thieves use two high-tech approaches to replicate key fob signals and unlock motorists' cars.

 

[Hemi300c]

Car thieves = High Tech
Motor manufacturers and Tracking Companies = Low Tech

As simple as that.....................higher your standards of Tech

 

[chrisc]

And the equipment is not difficult to source. Suppliers in India and China have a variety of tools, usually disguised as locksmith apparatus

One I saw can be upgraded on-line, should new codes or interrogation systems get issued. You don't need a laptop, just a handheld device not much larger than a phone and the necessary leads and connectors

On MB cars, if you don't use the correct initilisation string upon connecting, the car's system will lock up

 

[KoosPanty]

Car thieves = High Tech
Motor manufacturers and Tracking Companies = Low Tech

As simple as that.....................higher your standards of Tech

Agreed, looks like the only option is to go back to a gearlock or old school steeringlock

 

[The Darkness]

The solution is simple, and low tech:

Takealot

 

[Solarion]

Nothing wrong with a good old fashioned steering lock. This high tech stuff is just a money making racket.

 

[RudderVator]

Agreed, looks like the only option is to go back to a gearlock or old school steeringlock

Or just not drive what everyone else is driving. Drive something a little less mainstream and you won't have an issue.

 

[FiestaST]

Meanwhile in UK-land:

Okes there are on another level esp if you're a JLR owner.

 

[FiestaST]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1823612275506192488

 

[gotaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1823612275506192488

Safe to assume she did not get that trolley she wanted / needed?

 

[neoprema]

The issue that car manufacturers are reluctant to make big changes to this tech since it works, and it works well - and prob has an array of standards it is forced to meet from a safety perspective.

The fact is though that they need to step it up. There's tons of technology we can throw at this, from detection, to better security keys, using "connected" systems to do additional verification etc. etc.

And we can't say its a ZA problem, they're making off with Range Rovers in the UK like they're free.

 

[Sagax]

I have a negative opinion regarding automatic remote unlocking feature on vehicles, and not just for the associated security risks.
Had a rental some time ago that had the functionality, and the doors would unlock automatically every time I went back to the parked car to check whether the doors were locked...

10/10 would recommend not using the feature

 

[supersunbird]

The solution is simple, and low tech:

Takealot

Kind of defeats this keyless entry feature's existence if you have to mess with a fob (key) to access the vehicle..

 

[rh1]

I dont want a car with keyless entry.

 

[The Darkness]

Kind of defeats this keyless entry feature's existence if you have to mess with a fob (key) to access the vehicle..

Do you want your car to be there when you get back, or do you want to open the door without using the fob? By the time I get back to my car I've taken the fob out of the pouch and I open the door.

 

[lordnokon]

Has anyone here used these guys for your own car?

Home Page - Ghost Anti-Theft

WELCOME TO GHOST SOUTH AFRICA Vehicle theft has become an unfortunate way of life in South Africa. Currently, there are many different types of devices on the market that help in many ways, but vehicles are still being stolen. The Ghost anti-theft system is a unique, next generation device that...

www.ghostsouthafrica.co.za

 

[konfab]

Option 1: have a high tech backpack with a laptop, software defined radio and amplification system to decode the key fob of someone unlocking their car.
Option 2: Hit the owner of the car with a R10 wench until they hand over their keys.

 

[epah]

Has anyone here used these guys for your own car?

Home Page - Ghost Anti-Theft

WELCOME TO GHOST SOUTH AFRICA Vehicle theft has become an unfortunate way of life in South Africa. Currently, there are many different types of devices on the market that help in many ways, but vehicles are still being stolen. The Ghost anti-theft system is a unique, next generation device that...

www.ghostsouthafrica.co.za

I heard that some criminals can bypass it now, problem is that it has become mainstream and too many shops are now certified to sell and install it, unfortunately once something becomes mainstream it gets easier to bypass because inside info then gets shared with criminals.

 

[Cosmik Debris]

Heres a low tech solution. Fit one to each door and I guarantee your car will be left alone while the criminals look for a high tech locking system they can bypass:

 

[Swa]

Idiotic to have a system that can unlock without user interaction. More convenience always means less security.