Most new vehicles are vulnerable to high tech car theft techniques

[mylesillidge]

Car theft is getting high tech, and most new vehicles are vulnerable

Car theft is on the rise, according to AA Insurance Services [in the UK]. Worryingly, thieves are increasingly using high-tech tools to target weaknesses in the same sensors and computerised systems that were designed to help make our journeys safer and more comfortable.

In fact, as the market research company Technavio, noted in 2017, the significant growth of the automotive electronics sector was driven specifically by the need for added driver convenience and concerns about car theft.

 

[Pak Fa Fui]

It is now so easy for thieves, literally seconds with no damage to the car

 

[gregmcc]

Car companies should be held liable. They have known about these vulnerabilities for years and do nothing.

 

[chrisc]

My locksmith has proved over and over again that he can open any car. Some take longer than others

The Mercedes Benz dealer principal in Claremont refused to believe it. So we went to the showroom and the locksmith opened a Mercedes 500. It took 25 mins and 3 of us stood there and watched. The dealer then called the police and wanted him arrested.

We told the police who came (including the Claremont Station commander) that this was a demonstration requested by the dealer himself. The SAPS gent had some hard words to say to the dealer and said he had wasted police time with a frivolous matter and he should first get his house in order

The dealer still insists that to open a MB without the correct device is impossible.

 

[wingnut771]

My locksmith has proved over and over again that he can open any car. Some take longer than others

The Mercedes Benz dealer principal in Claremont refused to believe it. So we went to the showroom and the locksmith opened a Mercedes 500. It took 25 mins and 3 of us stood there and watched. The dealer then called the police and wanted him arrested.

We told the police who came (including the Claremont Station commander) that this was a demonstration requested by the dealer himself. The SAPS gent had some hard words to say to the dealer and said he had wasted police time with a frivolous matter and he should first get his house in order

The dealer still insists that to open a MB without the correct device is impossible.

Why didn't SAPS arrest the dealer?

 

[chrisc]

He had not really done anything illegal and just brushed it off

He has a superiority complex and thinks everything he states is true and irrefutable

 

[wingnut771]

He had not really done anything illegal and just brushed it off

He has a superiority complex and thinks everything he states is true and irrefutable

Calling the Police for nothing is not illegal?

 

[Pak Fa Fui]

My locksmith has proved over and over again that he can open any car. Some take longer than others

The Mercedes Benz dealer principal in Claremont refused to believe it. So we went to the showroom and the locksmith opened a Mercedes 500. It took 25 mins and 3 of us stood there and watched. The dealer then called the police and wanted him arrested.

We told the police who came (including the Claremont Station commander) that this was a demonstration requested by the dealer himself. The SAPS gent had some hard words to say to the dealer and said he had wasted police time with a frivolous matter and he should first get his house in order

The dealer still insists that to open a MB without the correct device is impossible.

25 minutes is a lifetime for a car thief

 

[chrisc]

25 mins is plenty of time if there is no-one around. Customer's MB stolen at KIrstenbosch top car-park

Toyota, Mazda, Renault, Ford - under 1 minute
BMW and Mini - 5 to 10 mins
Most Mercedes (you work through the passenger door side mirror) 15 to 25 mins
Haval and Chery - bang the door hard under the handle and most times it will unlock
Tesla. 2 mins for the door but the car needs an encrypted fob to activate the electronicc

 

[chrisc]

Calling the Police for nothing is not illegal?

I am not the SAPS. If you disagree with the station commander's decision, you should tell him

 

[wingnut771]

25 mins is plenty of time if there is no-one around. Customer's MB stolen at KIrstenbosch top car-park

Toyota, Mazda, Renault, Ford - under 1 minute
BMW and Mini - 5 to 10 mins
Most Mercedes (you work through the passenger door side mirror) 15 to 25 mins
Haval and Chery - bang the door hard under the handle and most times it will unlock
Tesla. 2 mins for the door but the car needs an encrypted fob to activate the electronicc

Glad to see Audi isn't there.

 

[wingnut771]

I am not the SAPS. If you disagree with the station commander's decision, you should tell him

I'll probably get arrested for hurt feelings.

 

[RonSwanson]

Glad to see Audi isn't there.

Vehicle manufacturers do not develop their own management systems, they buy them in from 3rd parties, and this includes their "security". Their configuration may slightly differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the exact some code runs in all. Audis are no exception.
Security is almost always a balance between usability, "coolness" and good, proper security.

 

[Supervan II]

It is now so easy for thieves, literally seconds with no damage to the car

And no evidence of forced entry either - a(nother) convenient excuse for insurance companies to repudiate claims.