Keyless cars: Vulnerable to theft

A vast number of cars are manufactured with keyless entry systems, which allows owners to open their vehicle as long as the key is nearby, for example, in a bag or pocket, offering convenience to drivers. But this can be exploited by criminals.

Keyless entry works with a remote that acts as a shortrange radio transmitter, and once in range (usually around 15 metres), a push of a button unlocks the car.

Relay station attacks (RSA) use a signal transmitter and receiver. The signal from the car key is relayed to a receiver near the car, the car thinks the key is present and allows the car to be unlocked and started.

Which? analysed data on keyless, or ‘relay’ entry attacks and found all but three of the car models tested were susceptible, and although keyless theft has been around for many years, it means that a greater number of cars can now be targeted.

Thieves are thought to be using technology to bypass entry systems on keyless cars or trick cars into thinking the key is in the criminal’s hand. As the same keyless remotes also start the car, once inside the same technology could be used to start the ignition and drive off with the car.