Hackers Could Break Car Key Codes

A group of German scientists is claiming it has broken the code of those remote key fobs that unlock your car. The claims have yet to be confirmed, but the claim raises valid concerns that a high-tech thief could get easy access to your car.

The group says it can break the code of Honda, Toyota, Volvo and Volkswagen vehicles. None of the companies have responded.

The article below correctly points out that gaining access to the car is the easy part. After all, a thief can just pick up a rock and break a window to get inside; it’s still very hard to start a car and drive off.

The story does serve as a good reminder to keep your car gadgets — like navigation units — out of plain site and park in well lit spots at night.

Scientists crack security system of millions of cars (Sunday Herald)

Comments

[Infosaur]

A few years ago, there were reports of some sort of data recording box roaming around mall parking lots recording keyfob signals for duplication.

Also Lexus emergency keys are in the owner's manual. They contain a physical key and a small chip, but look like a credit card. So all you Lexus owners should probably make sure you don't leave these things in your vehicle.

I have friends in the repo buisness, who passed that nugget along to me. BTW the most annoying thing about breaking into a Lexus? Trying not to damage it. They had 4 guys trying to get an RX300 open becuase the 'client' didn't want to damage the unit. But your average thug has no problem using a brick.

[Gary]

I'm on my fifth Lexus and none of them had an emergency key in the owners manual. I believe you are referring to the spare key (aka fourth key) that comes in the plastic credit card sized case. It's not delivered nor stored inside any of the Lexus manuals.

[DodgeFan]

This has been reported for at least a year. This article is a repeat. The insurance companies don't want to acknowledge that the car can be hacked and have to pay out.

[Adrock]

Yup, hide those goodies. A few weeks ago some douchebag broke my window and stole my Sirius. Sirius gave me a new one free of charge, as did my ins company for my window, but the hassle was annoying. No more lazily leaving it out in plain site anymore for me.

[Yakko_Rex]

I recently ate a meal at a restaurant in Sausaletito that was swarming with secret service agents, who came around and discussed with everyone their parking arrangements - the president of the UN arrived to eat soon after I did. When I left, I found that my car trunk had been opened without the alarm going off. I would think that it's clear that the car-unlocker exists...

[Granddaughter of Nunzio of Irvine]

When you live close to the Mexican border like we do, the cars aren't broken into. They are simply ramped up into trucks and driven south of the border where the Lo-Jack and all the other stuff is removed before they are shipped to another continent.
Jennifer, granddaughter of Nunzio of Irvine