Warning issued over 15-minute window where keyless | Tech News

Motorists have been alerted about the potential vulnerability of keyless entry vehicles, which could give opportunistic thieves a valuable 15-minute window to steal their car.

Car manufacturers have been continuously innovating anti-theft technology over the years in an attempt to outsmart criminals. One such innovation is ‘sleeping’ keyfobs – a system where a car key’s motion-sensing technology ceases to emit a signal after a certain period of time.

However, despite this technological advancement, one security engineer has cautioned that while these specialized fobs do act as a deterrent, they are not entirely foolproof and can be exploited by thieves.

Steve Launchbury, principal security engineer at Thatcham Research, warned: “Sleeping keyfobs do offer a deterrent to relay theft to a degree, but because many of them don’t deactivate for up to 15 minutes, they leave open an opportunity for thieves to grab key codes if someone is walking around with the key in a pocket or bag.”

Speaking to What Car?, the expert further noted that “many car makers won’t shorten the time the keys stay active because it could inconvenience owners, so more sophisticated software is needed to make the systems smarter”.

This warning from Steve comes just weeks after new data unveiled the alarming scale of the car theft crisis across the UK.

Over 100,000 vehicles were stolen in 2023, marking a 21% increase from 2022 and a staggering 43% rise compared to a decade ago, as per the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Car manufacturers are now grappling with not just how to prevent vehicle thefts but also understanding the reasons behind them.

New data from the Office for National Statistics revealed that a staggering 46% of car thefts occur because owners leave their vehicles unlocked.

In conversation with The Express, RegTransfers CEO Mark Trimbee warned motorists to remain vigilant and take preventive measures against car theft, particularly for those with keyless entry systems. His advice was straightforward: “It should become a habitual behavior to lock up your car, even if you’re just refueling or parking briefly in your driveway. You should never leave your vehicle running if you’re leaving the driver’s seat, and keep an eye out to make sure all windows and sunroofs are fully closed.”

He added, “When it comes to your keys, keep them out of sight and away from entry points to prevent theft through methods like key fishing. For keyless entry cars, it’s wise to reprogram keys when buying a second-hand car. Using signal-blocking pouches can prevent relay attacks, and investing in a steering wheel lock adds an extra layer of security – for both keyed and keyless cars.”