The car industry ignored warnings more than a decade ago that keyless
technology on modern vehicles risked a surge in vehicle thefts, an
investigation by the Observer can reveal.
Legal and computer researchers claimed keyless entry and vehicle
software would be “subverted” because of inadequate security.
The industry was warned of research that car owners could “expect to
find their cars stolen in the future without any sign of entry.”
An increase in vehicle crime with keyless entry has contributed to
[1]record prices for car insurance, with some drivers now facing quotes
of £2,000 a year or more to insure their car. Car theft in England and
Wales in the year to March 2023 was at its highest level for more than
a decade.
The Observer has found:
A device disguised as a games console - known as an “emulator” - is
being exploited by thieves to steal vehicles within 20 seconds by
mimicking the electronic key. It is being targeted at Hyundai and Kia
models.
“Smart” equipment is on sale online for up to £5,000, allowing thieves
to hack into a vehicle’s computer system and programme a new key.
Police facing a spate of keyless car thefts in many neighbourhoods are
closing some cases in less than 24 hours even when CCTV footage is
available.
The motoring lawyer Nick Freeman said: “The motoring industry has been
negligent because they were warned when this new technology was
beginning to emerge. It’s a catastrophic situation where people cannot
insure their cars or face ridiculously high premiums.”
Jaguar Land Rover announced a £10m investment last November to upgrade
security for commonly stolen models for cars built between 2018 and
2022. The Observer investigation reveals other vehicles with similar
security loopholes, with Hyundai confirming this weekend it is working
“as a priority” to prevent an attack on its cars by criminals “using
devices to illegally override smart key locking systems”.
A report by researchers in 2011 by researchers at the University of
California and the University of Washington warned it was possible to
implement an attack on the software of modern cars, directing “the
car’s compromised telematics unit to unlock the doors [and] start the
engine.”
An article by Stephen Mason, a barrister specialising in electronic
evidence and communication interception, in Computer Law and Security
Review in April 2012 warned keyless systems could be “successfully
undermined” and unless manufacturers improve the design cars would be
stolen without forced entry.
Mason said: “There has been insouciance and ignorance by the motoring
industry, not wanting to pay the price for proper security. We now have
modern cars with the latest technology and the owners have to put on
old-fashioned steering locks to protect them from being stolen.”
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) denies the
industry has failed on security, but it says it has been in an “arms
race” with criminals. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Car
makers continuously introduce new technology to stay one step ahead of
criminals. This investment has helped drive down vehicle theft
dramatically over the past 30 years.
“While manufacturers continue to enhance security systems,
technological innovation alone cannot prevent all theft. That’s why the
sector is working closely with the police, insurance industry and other
security stakeholders.”
The Home Office says overall vehicle crime, which includes theft from a
vehicle, is going down. A spokesperson said: “We expect police to take
vehicle crime seriously which is why we welcomed the commitment made by
police in August last year to follow up on all reasonable lines of
enquiry.
“We have made great progress in tackling vehicle crime, which is down
39% since 2010. New measures in the Criminal Justice Bill will ban
electronic devices used in vehicle theft.”
References
1.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/jan/16/average-car-insurance-cost-uk-prices-rise-inflation
