Technical keyless entry - be warned

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Technical keyless entry - be warned

Thanks for your informative post.

I especially appreciate the 2km distance in absence of key. This is easily testable. Next time I'm out in convoy with someone else I'll try to remember to left them have my key in their car and see how long my 500X travels for.

This remote hack is not based on a PC outside your house. It requires dedicated hardware to achieve it. I followed up my suggestion of a distant key (3m) and trailing wire and it did not work because a long piece of wire is in effect and unbalanced long wire antenna which only really work below 50MHz and the key fob RF signal is well above that.

I still don't accept urban myth, but could accept that *currently* incidence of this type of theft are low.

However complacency is our worst enemy.

https://www.wired.com/2016/03/study-finds-24-car-models-open-unlocking-ignition-hack/

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/consumer-news/94918/tests-uncover-major-security-risk-to-keyless-cars

I find it strange why ADAC (UK equivalent of AA) would be posting the results of their tests (see lists of cars) and have not been given "desist and takedown orders" by those manufacturers if what they are claiming is false.
 
Thanks for your informative post.

I especially appreciate the 2km distance in absence of key. This is easily testable. Next time I'm out in convoy with someone else I'll try to remember to left them have my key in their car and see how long my 500X travels for.

This remote hack is not based on a PC outside your house. It requires dedicated hardware to achieve it. I followed up my suggestion of a distant key (3m) and trailing wire and it did not work because a long piece of wire is in effect and unbalanced long wire antenna which only really work below 50MHz and the key fob RF signal is well above that.

I still don't accept urban myth, but could accept that *currently* incidence of this type of theft are low.

However complacency is our worst enemy.

https://www.wired.com/2016/03/study-finds-24-car-models-open-unlocking-ignition-hack/

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-ne...s-uncover-major-security-risk-to-keyless-cars

I find it strange why ADAC (UK equivalent of AA) would be posting the results of their tests (see lists of cars) and have not been given "desist and takedown orders" by those manufacturers if what they are claiming is false.
Can't state for sure if FIAT use the same protocol regarding distance run without key in car as I worked for VWag but would expect it to be similar.

Re ADAC, same as all media hungry organizations wanting publicity. No better clickbait than a scare story.

I agree don't be complacent, lock your doors (house and car).

Biggest issue we had initially was people leaving the car unlocked. Lots of people felt uncomfortable just pressing a button on the door handle to lock the door and pulled or lifted the handle to check... which unlocked the car, or they got out and just plain forgot as they weren't handling the key.

I was always in favour of having a safety timer, I.e. engine off and parking brake engaged but no lock activation on shut down should trigger a timer and say 8 mins later the deadlocks engage if there is no key detected inside the car, but it was never seen as necessary. But it's a few years since I had anything to do with UK product development so I'm not 100% up to speed these days.
 
I have followed this thread with interest (honestly) but I know as much about the topic as I do brain surgery.

My question is this;

Am I still vulnerable if I don't press the buttons on the fob but use the 'passive entry' system which locks/unlocks by physically touching the door handles? If I have the fob in my pocket it does not work if my wife tries to open the door, even if I am standing right next to the car. However it locks/unlocks immediately if I do it.
 
I have followed this thread with interest (honestly) but I know as much about the topic as I do brain surgery.

My question is this;

Am I still vulnerable if I don't press the buttons on the fob but use the 'passive entry' system which locks/unlocks by physically touching the door handles? If I have the fob in my pocket it does not work if my wife tries to open the door, even if I am standing right next to the car. However it locks/unlocks immediately if I do it.
Good question, I am only guessing here because the systems I worked with didn't have the option to switch off the function.

But if the receivers and transmitters for door circuits and engine start are truly independent then you would think this 'hack' would be defeated.

However given that I doubt that the scenario that was originally posited by ADAC could be replicated outside a lab and without very specific foreknowledge of car make, electronics used and unobstructed distance from the remote I still remain unconvinced...

But as has been said, there's nothing wrong with being careful.
 
Not quite true if the figure I read for 2016 is correct - car crime has fallen by 80% since 1993.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/consumer-news/93910/uk-car-crime-rates-hit-a-20-year-low

This is only the case if you believe the figures presented. Reported figures are manipulated to ensure they meet targets, crime is reclassified to ensure it goes in the right box or not recorded/reported at all as often nothing can be done about it anyway. Yes cars are harder to break into but the criminals just get smarter or more violent in getting what they want. If crime involving cars has dropped 80% is your insurance cheaper?
 
My insurance did go up this year - increased insurance tax and fraudulent claims made sure of that. Hard to remember what it was in real terms 20 years ago.
It's difficult to get true stats on anything unfortunately. As you say, if somebody really wants something they will find a way to get it. Just takes a bit more effort than it did - when I started driving you could nick a car with a screwdriver!
 
Exactly......getting all worked up about thieves targeting keyless Fiats....come on really?[emoji23][emoji23]. High end cars maybe...but 500x...[emoji23]

I'm pretty sure these petty criminals come out of prison with some new tricks and contacts and getting £500 for your 17k Fiat would certainly give them their next few fixes lol
 
On a whacky insurance note, my insurance went down nearly £80 after I told them that I'd had the new towbar fitted.
 
Well You and Me have a tow bar and thus are in a minority of 500X owners. Nobody wants to steal a 500X with a tow bar as then engine is probably *ucked :)

Fit TWO tow bars and get a double discount!



I've got an automatic with a tow bar and a dog guard. Does that count?
 
On a whacky insurance note, my insurance went down nearly £80 after I told them that I'd had the new towbar fitted.



Your post reminded me to inform the insurance company of my towbar and, like you, my premium went down. Apparently cars with a towbar are less likely to suffer rear end damage, so premium is lower. [emoji106]
 
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