This is the device thieves are using to steal your car

[supersunbird]

Durban - A software device that cost just a few thousand rands and can be bought online is behind a spate of car thefts, security companies and police say.

Car thieves are employing the use of diagnostic key readers to override a car's security system and clone car keys based on the data the key reader is able to siphon off the cars onboard diagnostics.

One of these devices were found when police and the Amanzimtoti Community Crime Prevention Organisation (CCPO) busted a gang of car thieves on Wednesday who are allegedly behind a spate of vehicle thefts in the Durban area.

George Snodey a member of the CCPO who was part of Wednesday's bust said they were increasingly seeing car thieves operating with diagnostic key readers.

"With this, they are able to put it in almost any car that has computer diagnostic system, override the security and make their own key which will start the car within a matter a of minutes," he said.

This is the device thieves are using to steal your car

Car thieves are employing the use of diagnostic key readers to override a car's security system and clone car keys based on the data the key reader is able to siphon

www.iol.co.za

 

[supersunbird]

Time to dig out my Gorilla steering wheel lock and maybe buy a pedlock

 

[Arthur]

Almost makes one long for the days when the fanciest electronics in a car was the two-track (philips) cassette player and 4-band radio. A fave hack was using the folded striking pad from a box of Lion matches to clean the distributor contacts. Then again, the front vent windows were easy to swivel open. So maybe not.

 

[santaman202]

Decolonise the automobile industry in sa and replace it with nads or donkeys, problem solved.

 

[WAslayer]

..

 

[Arthur]

^^^ I can see my mistress's high heels accidentally closing the drop-down door and closing off the pedals while on the motorway.

 

[supersunbird]

^^^ I can see my mistress's high heels accidentally closing the drop-down door and closing off the pedals while on the motorway.

You only fit it while stationary, I'd assume. Take it out of the footwell when driving.

 

[Sensorei]

Lots of bull$hit in that article. I import and distribute this equipment. That particular tool in the photo only works on 70% of Ford and Mazda. No other brands. Peugeots, Citroens and Toyotas are also very easy to steal.

Even 2019 model Hilux and Fortuner can be stolen with a R10K tool. It takes 3 minutes!

Newer German cars need VERY expensive equipment to make a key without a master key and take much longer, and it's more complicated to do so not really worth the risk for most thieves.

Most recent model cars can NOT be stolen using a basic diagnostic/key programmer that costs a few thousand bucks.

 

[surface]

Do they steal cars worth 50K these days?

 

[ForceFate]

Decolonise the automobile industry in sa and replace it with nads or donkeys, problem solved.

Sophisticated car theft is not unique to us I'm afraid.

 

[John_Phoenix]

Sophisticated car theft is not unique to us I'm afraid.

Plus, you don't ride a donkey... That's a exercise in frustration.

 

[R13...]

This is apparently helped along by the fact that regulations don't allow manufacturers to encrypt the connection which regulators claim opens up the market.

 

[Arthur]

You only fit it while stationary, I'd assume. Take it out of the footwell when driving.

You are rational. My pneumatic blond isn't. She'll leave it in and drive with the lid down.

 

[Hemi300c]

Do they steal cars worth 50K these days?

Very much so

 

[santaman202]

Sophisticated car theft is not unique to us I'm afraid.

True, all these cadres driving flashy german cars had to pay with taxpayer money. So the cars have been stolen in essence

 

[supersunbird]

Do they steal cars worth 50K these days?

It's mainly older cheaper cars, and Hiluxes, that fill the one security WA group I am on.

 

[satanboy]

within seconds once an encryption device has been plugged in, simulating a key entering the car’s ignition.

What if the car doesn't use a key?

 

[supersunbird]

What if the car doesn't use a key?

Then it does not use encoding in the key cause it is old and you are thus likely starting it with a screwdriver or hotwiring it every time, and can easily be stolen anyway.

Or it uses keyless entry (which is not really suitable for SA in my opinion).

 

[R13...]

Then it does not use encoding in the key cause it is old and you are thus likely starting it with a screwdriver or hotwiring it every time, and can easily be stolen anyway.

Or it uses keyless entry (which is not really suitable for SA in my opinion).

Keyless is apparently even easier to steal (at least overseas).

 

[supersunbird]

Keyless is apparently even easier to steal (at least overseas).

And there is they issue where the perp (in vehicle or on foot) slightly opens a passenger door before the driver locks their door (as they do with remote locking vehicle, if they don't jam it) so that none of the doors lock when the driver attempts to lock. How will one test if ones car is really locked by pulling on the handle, if one has keyless entry?