The problem of the keyless entry system vulnerability has been known for a long time. Automakers did nothing to improve the security of their vehicles. This has led to massive car thefts in the US, carried out with radio equipment. But recently, some car companies have upgraded keyless entry systems by introducing changes to the way the system works. The Indy Auto Man used car dealership expert share their insights on the models with well-protected keyless entry.
Cars That Are Harder to Steal
The first keyless entry system was developed in 1998 by Mercedes-Benz. Initially, this option was available only for the most expensive premium models. But over the years, it has become popular on many mass-market vehicles.
Now it has many analogs:
- Toyota Smart Key;
- Audi Advanced Key;
- Mercedes-Benz Keyless Go, etc.
The name Smart Key has become a household name and is often used for a general designation of such systems.
Security experts have long pointed out the vulnerability of keyless entry systems. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of thefts of new cars equipped with this contactless car opening around the world. The meaning of hacking is to fix the radio signal of the original key fob of the car, followed by relaying the radio code to the receiving device of the attacker standing next to the vehicle they want to steal. As a result, even if your key is far away, the car is disarmed because it thinks the original keyless entry tag is near the car.
The cars with Smart Keys listed below can be named as the least vulnerable to theft.
Ford Fiesta
There is no need to choose a premium car to feel more secure with a touchless car unlocking device. Ford has increased the reliability of the anti-theft system for some models to make the method of theft by amplifying the radio signal of the key impossible. So, the contactless keys of the latest Fiesta and Focus models have motion sensors. If the key remains stationary for 40 seconds, the communication with the vehicle terminates.
BMW X3
The Bavarian company uses a key fob with a motion sensor in the BMW X3. But BMW does not officially announce the exact time after which the key, left immobile, stops sending a signal to communicate with the car. According to tests, it takes about 2 minutes.
Audi TT
The Advanced Key entry used in the Audi sports car is available on certain trim levels. The remote key is a fob with a motion sensor. If it remains stationary for 15 minutes, it will stop radio communication with the vehicle. This protects against signal amplification by an attacker using a repeater.
Mercedes A-class
The German brand in the A-class models uses two security features to protect the key from relaying the radio signal. The car owner can double-click the button on the key fob to prevent the signal from being scanned. This will arm the car and thus immediately stop the connection between the key and the car. Automatically, the key will stop sending a signal two minutes after the key stops moving.
Land Rover Discovery
The British brand has adopted a new communication standard between the key and the car. These signals are transmitted simultaneously on different frequencies, which makes it difficult to hack car alarms. The car owners can feel safer, at least until the attackers develop another piece of equipment to break into the new contactless opening system for Land Rover vehicles.
Still Vulnerable to Theft
Unfortunately, not all car manufacturers have finalized their keyless entry systems, and there are still many new cars on the market today that are vulnerable to relaying the radio signal of the key in contact with the car. So in some cases, it would be a wiser decision to abandon a new car model with a keyless entry and consider one of the good old vehicles of previous years.
What about those who already have a car with keyless entry but without protection against burglary using radio equipment?
The easiest and cheapest way is to use a shielded key case. It costs a penny, but it reliably protects against such theft methods by blocking the signal sent by the key to the car. However, such a shielding case makes the keyless entry system meaningless since without removing the key from such a case, you will not be able to open the car contactless.
