[Robo21]

In Los Angeles and elsewhere there has been a rash of burglaries from vehicles utilizing an RF amplifier that will boost your key fob signal, otherwise too weak to open your car, to open your doors and trunk. The little black box amplifies your own secure code so that your car thinks you are standing at the door.

The thief then enters the vehicle takes what he wants and leaves. Most often they are on bicycles to make quick getaways. Numerous instances have been captured on video.

The solution is simple, use a Faraday cage type pouch or container to prevent the signal from reaching the vehicle. The author of the article I will link you to below suggests using your freezer which I don't recommend as that will prematurely age your fob's battery. Aluminum foil does NOT work, some dumbass news reporter here in L.A. (John Gregory) suggested that without even testing it and I can assure you it does not work.

Amazon sells Faraday pouches which are ridiculously expensive but will work. My wife, genius that she is found the perfect solution for us in our kitchen, reasonably priced, incorporating a sort of Faraday technology (the mesh metal screen on top) and it works flawlessly blocking the signal right next to the vehicle. Our solution is a stainless steel sifter with stainless steel screen built into the lid.

The media also recommends a microwave oven as a storage device, I don't like that solution either for obvious reasons.

I found out by accident the other night that the Hellcat FOB has impressive range. From 40 feet way through 2 load bearing walls and one interior wall I unintentionally unlocked the doors. Apparently, these amplifiers the thieves are using are sensitive enough that they can work with signals too weak to open the car by fob alone. The amplifier can take the weak signal and boost it enough to access the car.

I am not taking any chances some of thefts occurred within 5 miles of my home. I strongly suggest that we take this seriously, secure your fob.

I searched the forum didn't find any info so I thought I would share my solution. I know many have heard the story but apparently not enough to prevent the thefts that occurred last week here in L.A. News story video, etc. below photo.

CNN Story:

Article regarding thefts: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/style/keeping-your-car-safe-from-electronic-thieves.html?_r=0

Fob guard: Fob Guard: Ideal Faraday Cage for Car Keyless Entry Fobs

 

[Robo21]

Another solution. . . Turn off the feature and revert to using your fob buttons. . . Configure "PASSIVE ENTRY" OFF (under control, settings, doors & locks).

Great idea, one word of caution though, I am not certain that they do not have a button on their amplifier. In the CNN video an Escalade was locked and the owner had a dashcam video of the theft. You can hear the locks snap open which means some of these devices can pop the locks open.

One thing is certain, if the fob is electronically secure they won't be amplifying the signal.

 

[Robo21]

Crooks really do research and extort you also sometimes. Sad to see. it happened. Some punks who got signals somehow. Inside job from someone who has access sounds like to me

According to the local Eyewitness News here in L.A. there were something like a dozen thefts in one neighborhood. I guess it could be an inside job if they all had something in common like they all used the same valet. The current theory seems to be that the mysterious black box they are carrying is designed to amplify the secure code of the owner's fob and thereby gain access with no prior contact. But who knows. Until they catch them and analyze the boxes we won't know for sure.

 

[Robo21]

Opening with the button on the fob is a different sequence. When using passive entry, the car starts the sequence. When using the fob button, the fob starts the sequence. The thieves have access to the car (to start the sequence of events) using passive entry. They do not have access to the fob. Emulating the start of the sequence of a fob button press would be much more difficult - It is a more proven technology.

Understood, thank you for clarifying that.

 

[Robo21]

I'm watching this but at this point I don't believe it at all. I'm betting the vehicles are unlocked and the owner either doesn't know it or won't admit it due to embarrassment and possible insurance implications. We had a rash of thefts with the same hype given. Later it turned out the so called high tech thieves were simply checking every vehicle and often they found ones not locked.

I know it might be hard to believe, when the story broke a few years ago I didn't believe it was worth worrying about. But with numerous reports so close to home I can't afford to go into denial especially when the fix is so easy. The container I store the fobs in is not inconvenient and I sleep better knowing the car in the driveway is that much safer.

If you don't believe it, disregard. There is now enough credible evidence that I won't be taking any chances.

Move out of LA and park your HC in your garage.

Really? Thanks for the thoughtful suggestions. I guess you ignored the fact that it started in states other than California and is moving across the nation. This isn't limited geographically to one particular area.

I think I'll stick with the $9 sifter can pictured above. It works perfectly and I don't have to liquidate my successful wholesale grocery business or dismantle my workshop in the garage. Besides, the thieves aren't just in L.A. The story broke in 2013 and cars all over the country have been hit.

Leave CA period. Why stay in that hell hole. Sanctuary citys, out of control crime. SMH..

This issue is not limited to California. It didn't start in California, it spread to California and several other states.

Never been a fan of the this fob idea. Don't know why we're not using keys anymore.

The inexorable march of technological progress has opened a can of worms with new exploits criminals can use to separate us of our property.

Meanwhile, putting the fobs in a small metallic container solves this exploit - guaranteed 100% effective. I wouldn't use the freezer, microwave oven or aluminum foil as the media is suggesting.

I don't know about anyone else, but i immediately made a dash to my garage and disabled the passive entry feature on my cars.

Forget all the anti theft mechanisms/devices, I think I might need to adopt a couple of Rottweilers...lol.

Remember the part of the video with the Escalade, it's not just the passive system that is vulnerable. They can activate the unlock button. Best solution is to secure the fob so that the frequency cannot be amplified. Without your fob signal and its unique unlock code feeding their amplifier this exploit doesn't work.

The Rottweiler adoption sounds good! Definitely part of a good security system. LOL We have 3 English Mastiffs the biggest of which is 251 lbs they are great at watching and listening for trouble. And when the big boy barks the bass notes vibrate my innards.

 

[Robo21]

You all seem to have waaaaaay to much time to worry about this stuff. It is just a car with insurance. They are welcome to steal mine every couple years so I can get a new one....

Step 1 - If I can avoid insurance claims and police reports by putting my fobs in a can when I get home my problem is solved.
Step 2 - Share the info about the threat and the fix with my Hellcat brethren.

Who's worried dude? I am not worried. I solved the problem - it's over - done with. I can put my keys in a can and forget about it. Thanks for your concern over our state of mind but please don't bother. My only purpose was to share info and a solution that is 100% effective. If this doesn't interest you, disregard. It's too bad that you feel the need to be negative and critical.

Often when the car is stolen and thrashed it gets returned to the owner with no obvious damages. No new car. No thanks.

 

[Robo21]

Just turned off passive entry in my 2011 SRT

While turning off passive entry is a good first step, please keep in mind that it is not just the passive entry that is the problem. Apparently some of the thieves do have a way of activating the unlock button on their amplifier. Just watch the CNN video where the Escalade's unlock button is activated and you can hear the locks clicking before the guy opens the door.

One thing is certain, if the signal is blocked from your fob they have nothing to amplify and they cannot use their device to open the car - period. Please don't use the freezer to block the signal, it will ruin the battery in your fob. A metal container is perfect and no more trouble than dropping your keys into a covered key bowl when you go into your home.

 

[Robo21]

Passive mode off - spare keys in the gun safe - in use key in a metal key locker!

Way to go!

 

[Robo21]

Can u explain the stainless steel aspect a little? Is it the mesh on top or the solid walls of the container? Which one is doing the blocking?

The Faraday technology is a cage or mesh depending on size. That will work by itself. However, we didn't have anything that was 100% mesh so we went with this. In this case it just so happened that when I presented the issue to my wife she pulled the sifter out of the kitchen cabinet and asked me "will this work?" The metallic container blocks the signal and the mesh also blocks the signal. It just happened to be stainless steel. I am thinking that cast iron, aluminum or most any metallic container would work. Test it to be sure. I went out to the car with this setup and with the container next to the car I can't open the door or the trunk.

Thanks for info. I saw this on the news and kinda blew it off to tell the truth.

My pleasure Paladin, you are very welcome. I didn't think it much of a threat when the problem first surfaced 3 years ago. But when it hit so close to home only a few miles away I woke up. Thankfully it's an easy fix.

 

[Robo21]

It's not the fob you're not protecting. Good luck.

 

[Robo21]

My personal experience (just now...):
One red key in hand, one red key/one black key in safe (like key color matters...)
Passive entry worked as expected...
Lightly wrapped key in hand in single layer of aluminum foil (I call it Tin Foil):
Passive entry did not work, neither did Lock/Unlock buttons...
Note: If I opened the Tin Foil even a little bit, even with the "gap" pointed away from the HC, then both Passive Entry and the Lock/Unlock buttons worked...

Bull, Nice work! The video you shared is excellent! Good find. Thank you. My test with aluminum foil failed possibly because the foil was wrapped too tightly around the fob. This videographer offered multiple solutions and validated my wife's solution with the conductive canister and mesh lid creating a hybrid Faraday container.

Thanks again!

 

[Robo21]

Can anyone explain how the car "knows" if the fob is inside the car or not? The car won't lock if a key fob is in the cabin

According to Wikipedia "The smart key determines if it is inside or outside of the vehicle by measuring the strength of the LF (Low Frequency) fields. In order to start the vehicle, the key must be inside the vehicle."

To read the complete explanation of the system and how it works visit Wikipedia: Remote keyless system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

One of the best posts i have read so far.

Thanks for all this info.

Matt

Thank you for posting. It's nice to see positive responses!

 

[Robo21]

I disabled my passive entry system just in case

Good move, I did that and put the fobs in the "Faraday" container. Why not? It's free and just in case, it makes sense to err on the side of safety. Besides there are only one or two naysayers while the preponderance of the evidence says that there is a credible threat. I would rather be safe than sorry.

 

[Robo21]

I stopped by my local independent mechanic who went to the same high school as I did, had the same auto shop teacher, we both had taken auto shop as an elective all 3 years of high school, but was a couple of years behind me. Very nice guy, with his brother they inherited a wonderful auto repair business from their dad. They have solid 5 star ratings on Yelp.

I happened to mention the key fob exploit and he lit up like a Christmas tree! He said "$**t, you wouldn't believe it! One of my customers got hit last week and got it on video! The thief walked up to the car, manipulated a small device in his hand and unlocked the customer's Lexus!" "We couldn't figure out what he did!" "Where did he get her fob?"

Anyway, he hadn't heard of the amplifier exploit and when I shared the info with him the lights came on and it all made sense to him. It just so happens that his shop and customer are both located in Los Feliz area of L.A. I asked if he could get a copy of the video. He did say that the lady backed up the video to make sure that she had locked the car before the thief had opened it.

 

[Robo21]

I would get rid of the cars before I would carry my key fobs around in a spaghetti strainer.

Nobody is advocating carrying the fobs in a "spaghetti strainer" evidently you overlooked some details. The small sifter is used at home and it was small, convenient and most importantly immediately available and works 100% without fail adjacent to the car. For travels there are several convenient alternatives available on Amazon, etc., that are specifically designed to block RF, GPS, etc. These alternatives are pouches that are flat when empty.

Clearly, not everyone feels there is a threat. Good luck to you.

 

[Robo21]

I stopped by my local independent mechanic who went to the same high school as I did, had the same auto shop teacher, we both had taken auto shop as an elective all 3 years of high school, but was a couple of years behind me. Very nice guy, with his brother they inherited a wonderful auto repair business from their dad. They have solid 5 star ratings on Yelp.

I happened to mention the key fob exploit and he lit up like a Christmas tree! He said "$**t, you wouldn't believe it! One of my customers got hit last week and got it on video! The thief walked up to the car, manipulated a small device in his hand and unlocked the customer's Lexus!" "We couldn't figure out what he did!" "Where did he get here fob?"

Anyway, he hadn't heard of the amplifier exploit and when I shared the info with him the lights came on and it all made sense to him. It just so happens that his shop and customer are both located in Los Feliz area of L.A. I asked if he could get a copy of the video. He did say that the lady backed up the video to make sure that she had locked the car before the thief had opened it

 

[Robo21]

I'll answer this way Pete how's that.

relay attacks on passive keyless entry - Google Search flip between list and google pics.

Nice find TallCool1. This paper is the most exhaustive and comprehensive analysis of the high tech attacks. It boils down to "in this paper, we demonstrate that these attacks are both feasible and practical."

So these are car burglaries, they're not stealing the cars correct?

As far as I have seen in the media, you're correct.