Just a mouse click away, the devices thieves buy to steal YOUR car
USING tools easily available on Amazon and eBay, the Mail effectively stole a Ford Fiesta in under two minutes.
The car, which was volunteered for testing by CanTrack Global vehicle specialists, was locked and its keys were not present.
Using a lock pick specific to Ford models, of which similar devices are available on Amazon for £21, we were able to gain access to the car.
Thieves carrying out a ‘key programming’ attack may also use blunt force such as breaking a window to get inside the car.
Next, we used a key programmer device, purchased on eBay for £130, to plug into the car’s computer system. The device can be used on a range of models and tells the car to trust a new key and forget the code for the original one.
The third tool the Mail used for the hack was a £ .99 blank key compatible with Fords, bought from Amazon the previous day.
The blank key fob can easily be programmed with the new key.
The lock pick used to gain entry to the car can then be used to start the vehicle, when used in combination with the newly reprogrammed fob.
Thieves may also bypass the ignition port by breaking it away altogether. Once it is bypassed, and the blank key fob is programmed, the car can then be started up.
A savvy car owner who had lost their car keys could legitimately use the key programming device to programme a new set for themselves. But car thieves have taken advantage of this function to code keys as well.
Other less sophisticated key programming devices require the owner’s key to be nearby, with relay attack equipment used to obtain its code.
Police forces have said that relay attacks and key programming operations are often used in conjunction by thieves, making it difficult to tell which technique is more prevalent.
‘Bypass the ignition’