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Auto Express Car Reviews
Theft alert over remote fobs
Scientists issue warning against remote-control robbers.
20th April 2008
Warning! Car robbers could soon be on your wavelength. Scientists in Belgium claim to have unlocked the code to millions of keyless entry devices used to open vehicles.
The researchers from the University of Leuven say they can easily clone the remote key fobs to all Honda, Toyota and Volvo models, as well as cars produced by General Motors, Jaguar and the VW Group.
The code-cracking started when an equation was posted on online encyclopaedia Wikipedia, allowing the universal master key to be obtained for vehicles using the KeeLoq coded software. Hackers claim that with only one hour’s remote access, from up to 100 metres away from any car’s fob they can easily clone the key for that particular model – and all using only £1,500 worth of specialist equipment.
Once they have this information, the unique code for any model by that maker can be cracked in seconds. And the cloned keys can’t just be used to unlock doors; alarm systems and immobilisers can be controlled too.
The KeeLoq system – made by Microchip Technology based in Arizona, US – was thought to be uncrackable, due to the fact that each key fob uses a unique security code from billions of possible combinations.
The researchers from the University of Leuven say they can easily clone the remote key fobs to all Honda, Toyota and Volvo models, as well as cars produced by General Motors, Jaguar and the VW Group.
The code-cracking started when an equation was posted on online encyclopaedia Wikipedia, allowing the universal master key to be obtained for vehicles using the KeeLoq coded software. Hackers claim that with only one hour’s remote access, from up to 100 metres away from any car’s fob they can easily clone the key for that particular model – and all using only £1,500 worth of specialist equipment.
Once they have this information, the unique code for any model by that maker can be cracked in seconds. And the cloned keys can’t just be used to unlock doors; alarm systems and immobilisers can be controlled too.
The KeeLoq system – made by Microchip Technology based in Arizona, US – was thought to be uncrackable, due to the fact that each key fob uses a unique security code from billions of possible combinations.
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