Keyless entry and ignition was once a feature exclusively reserved for luxury vehicles or enthusiasts willing to shell out their disposable income for the necessary after-market parts. These days the technology has seeped into most automobiles, bringing convenience and remote access to the masses. Unfortunately, as the technology has spread, so too has the crime of grand theft auto; car thieves are increasingly bypassing vehicle security systems using over-the-counter tools purchased online.
The UK motoring industry group, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, has released a study outlining a huge spike in Range Rover Sports and Evoques thefts in London that has left some insurers outwardly denying coverage to owners of these vehicles. The crimes are largely perpetrated by organized crime gangs who override security system using equipment intended for mechanics to carry out routine maintenance. The issue at hand is that the equipment is readily available online as part of the auto industry’s goal to spur the purchase of after-market parts because it provides independent technicians with the technical information needed to select the appropriate part.
Thieves have now devised a way to use this tool to exploit the vehicles onboard computer to program a replica keyless entry and ignition remote.
Ironically, overall car theft has plummeted in the last decade. According to the UK Office for National Statistics, 318,000 vehicles were stolen in 2002 whereas only 77,500 in 2013. However, theft of vehicles involving onboard computers is steadily rising as there’s little legislation to ensure the specialized equipment remains exclusively in the hands of mechanics.
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