Photo: dailymail.co.uk
According to recent research, it takes less than 30 seconds to steal a keyless car using a relay device. If you ever had reason to doubt British researchers, here’s proof: a Tesla being taken right from the owner’s driveway in a little under half a minute.
Video caught by a Ring doorbell camera on August 21 in London, U.K., shows how vulnerable keyless vehicles are to theft if the owner doesn’t make sure to keep the keyfob from emitting signals. Equipped with a simple, easy to acquire and, so far, totally legal relay box, the two thieves needed less than 30 seconds to get their hands on a Tesla Model S.
The video is also available at the bottom of the page. One man is seen walking in through the open gate, holding some kind of wire in his hands. He is looking for the signal from the keyfob, which is inside the house, wherever the owner left it. Once he catches, the lights on the car go on, which means it’s unlocked: that’s when the second suspect comes in, steps inside and slowly backs away in the vehicle.
Only after the Tesla is out of the driveway does the first suspect leave, just as calmly as he walked in. The whole thing happens in under 30 seconds, and the homeowner tells The Daily Mail that the car was actually a loaner while the other Tesla was in for repairs.
According to the same publication, relay devices and the surge in keyless car models have led to an unprecedented boost in car thefts: “89,000 vehicles stolen in England and Wales last year. In certain areas, such as the West Midlands, car theft has soared by 80 per cent.”
The fact that owning or selling relay devices is not illegal unless police can prove intent to use for theft adds to the problem. “But police sources, security experts and locksmiths specializing in vehicles have all said there is ‘no legitimate reason’ to be in possession of a relay device,” the Mail notes.
That said, it falls upon the car owners to protect themselves from keyless thefts. The best, cheapest and most efficient way to do so is to wrap the keyfob in aluminum foil or to keep it in a container that doesn’t allow the signal out, such as a tin can or an empty can of soda / beer. Whenever you’re not using it, when you’re at home or out on the town and you have it in your purse / pocket, wrap it in foil or buy a special Faraday pouch off the Internet.
The video is also available at the bottom of the page. One man is seen walking in through the open gate, holding some kind of wire in his hands. He is looking for the signal from the keyfob, which is inside the house, wherever the owner left it. Once he catches, the lights on the car go on, which means it’s unlocked: that’s when the second suspect comes in, steps inside and slowly backs away in the vehicle.
Only after the Tesla is out of the driveway does the first suspect leave, just as calmly as he walked in. The whole thing happens in under 30 seconds, and the homeowner tells The Daily Mail that the car was actually a loaner while the other Tesla was in for repairs.
According to the same publication, relay devices and the surge in keyless car models have led to an unprecedented boost in car thefts: “89,000 vehicles stolen in England and Wales last year. In certain areas, such as the West Midlands, car theft has soared by 80 per cent.”
The fact that owning or selling relay devices is not illegal unless police can prove intent to use for theft adds to the problem. “But police sources, security experts and locksmiths specializing in vehicles have all said there is ‘no legitimate reason’ to be in possession of a relay device,” the Mail notes.
That said, it falls upon the car owners to protect themselves from keyless thefts. The best, cheapest and most efficient way to do so is to wrap the keyfob in aluminum foil or to keep it in a container that doesn’t allow the signal out, such as a tin can or an empty can of soda / beer. Whenever you’re not using it, when you’re at home or out on the town and you have it in your purse / pocket, wrap it in foil or buy a special Faraday pouch off the Internet.
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