Mystery device that gives criminals access to vehicles without a key fob

After many baffling years of trying to work out how some criminals are breaking into cars, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) may have found an answer…

The NICB believes that criminals are using a device to unlock vehicles, and, even shockingly, using the device to drive off with the vehicle too. The Bureau recently obtained one of these devices that the public was warned about some years ago for testing, and the results were concerning.

A third-party security expert managed to obtain one of the devices, which was bought from Europe. The device was developed by engineers in an effort to provide manufacturers and other anti-theft agencies in finding vulnerabilities of various vehicle systems. The device has been named a “relay attack” which only works on vehicles that use a keyless remote and push-button ignition.

How does the device work?

The mystery gadget was first discovered in 2013, and has baffled police.

How does it work? An unsuspecting victim would usually lock their vehicle door and then the criminal would use a mystery device key fob relay box that would capture the key fob signal. The key fob relay box can then transfer the signal to the vehicle’s side relay box, and the vehicle side relay box unlocks the targeted vehicle.

Once the door is unlocked, the mystery device is able to start the targeted vehicle. Experts found this was possible in over 17 car makes and models.

Tests

A series of unscientific tests were undertaken over a two-week period, analysing 35 different makes and models which included SUVs, minivans, and a pickup truck. These tests were done at a new car dealership, an independent used car dealer, an auto auction, NICB employee vehicles and ones that were privately owned. The test was undertaken to see whether the device could:

The NICB was able to open 54% of the vehicles and drive away 51% of them. However, the device could only restart 34% of the vehicles. This is still an alarmingly high rate of vehicles that the device can control though.

The NICB CEO, Joe Wehrle, stresses the risk:

“…maybe they don’t work on all makes and models, but certainly on enough that car thieves can target and steal them with relative ease.”

There’s no way to monitor whether the device has been used on the car. Most times, vehicle owners may believe that their car has been towed away.

Counter-methods

Now it’s time for automakers to try to counter the potential threats. They must develop software and technology to keep their consumers’ vehicles secure. It’s also the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to clamp down on criminals who are suspected of using these devices.