Do FOB signal sniffers work with CX-5 auto lock??

[cybercruiser]

I ran across this article that a theft device for sniffing key fob signals to reproduce them is on sale, so would be thieves can save a buck on their tools.

It's public so, here is what I'm talking about: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/11/oh-good-thieves-tool-choice-opening-car-sale-black-friday/

It made me wonder, if I use the proximity auto lock, that locks my CX-5 when I close the door, hear the first beep, then hear the 2nd beep as I walk away, does that produce any kind of signal that a FOB sniffer would be able to get ahold of to unlock my doors??

Anyone know??

 

[cybercruiser]

I use the auto lock when I walk away to lock it, and the button on the door handle to unlock it. So, I'd think I'm not creating any signals that can be "sniffed", or does your FOB always send out signals whether I actually use it to lock/unlock or not??

 

[Srad600]

I have no idea if this particular piece of tech will work on our auto locks, but so long as you are not using a physical key, the FOB is sending a signal. If you take the FOB out of range of the car and press the request button on the door, nothing happens. That is because the car senses no signal from the FOB letting it know you belong to that car.

IMO if a signal is being sent between two items (vehicle and key fob) then I'd wager it can be "sniffed" and likely copied. Digital age and all...sucks.

 

[cybercruiser]

Yeah, I got to thinking that if the car uses a signal to "sense" my proximity, that could probably be "sniffed" and mimic'd so someone else could think the fob is close to the car and unlock it with the button on the door handle, yeah, kind of sucks that it's apparently that easy to sniff and mimic.

 

[riff42]

Well, in short, the FOB sends a signal when the button is pressed.
The car sends a signal as you walk up to it, and you press the request button, or apparently the trunk open button.....at that point, it sends out a signal, the key answers with it's security code, and the doors are unlocked.
As the car is running, it is sending out a signal and the key is answering, be it passive or active (RFID, or actual RF radio), so when you walk away from your running car, it notices that suddenly the key isn't answer, and starts beeping.
I have NOT tested the auto lock (come on, it's a 5032 page manual) nor did I know it does that I assumed, but I always press the lock button or the door lock switch as I leave.

So yeah, I'm guessing you can sniff our Fobs. It will send out a signal, OR listen to any key presses, or key responses to the car. It will capture that code. I assume then, you can save it, and when the coast is clear, the sniffer will send out a signal to unlock the door, and poof....you're in.

So....what to do?! not much. Unlike RFID blocking wallets with simple foil lined pockets......it would be annoy to keep your keys in a metal bag. Purses on the otherhand can be lined with foil/screen to block. But there goes your cellphone reception, and the point of having keyless entry. you'd have to take the keys out when unlocking the door.

 

[piotrek91]

I ran across this article that a theft device for sniffing key fob signals to reproduce them is on sale, so would be thieves can save a buck on their tools.

It's public so, here is what I'm talking about: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/11/oh-good-thieves-tool-choice-opening-car-sale-black-friday/

It made me wonder, if I use the proximity auto lock, that locks my CX-5 when I close the door, hear the first beep, then hear the 2nd beep as I walk away, does that produce any kind of signal that a FOB sniffer would be able to get ahold of to unlock my doors??

Anyone know??

I VERY highly doubt the $100 Chinese device mentioned in the article will work.

However, given enough a few thousand dollars, the will to create one and a few months, I think many electrical engineers could create a Mazda Keyless entry repeater and they could use to unlock and even start your CX-5. Good thing comprehensive coverage is so cheap

 

[Buzzer777]

Rolling codes?

Yeah, I got to thinking that if the car uses a signal to "sense" my proximity, that could probably be "sniffed" and mimic'd so someone else could think the fob is close to the car and unlock it with the button on the door handle, yeah, kind of sucks that it's apparently that easy to sniff and mimic.

I wonder if the Mazda key-less FOB uses "rolling codes" like most of today's garage door openers. Not as if this would be perfect, but it sure beats a single freq. transmitter! I know the Tesla FOB uses rolling codes but little has been said of the others. I simply do not worry about theft. There are way to many other things to occupy spare time. <grin> The major advantage of these anti theft deterrents is the potential discount you can get on your INSURANCE!

Now, a MAJOR area of concern is the hacking of newer car electronics (the ecu for example), as was demonstrated last summer on Jeeps <60 Minutes>! Those guys could hack into the brake system as well as steering and fuel flow; That was scary! The fact that the hacker does not even need to be in close proximity to break in...now that can be deadly!

THE DETROIT NEWS: "Markey cited studies showing hackers can get into the controls of some popular vehicles, "causing them to suddenly accelerate, turn, kill the brakes, activate the horn, control the headlights, and modify the speedometer and gas gauge readings. Additional concerns came from the rise of navigation and other features that record and send location or driving history information."

MY FARADAY CAGE FOR MY KEYFOBS IS NEAR MY DOG'S BAG OF FOOD...NOW THAT WOULD HURT!:'(

 

[thedaddyb]

I wonder if the Mazda key-less FOB uses "rolling codes" like most of today's garage door openers. Not as if this would be perfect, but it sure beats a single freq. transmitter! I know the Tesla FOB uses rolling codes but little has been said of the others. I simply do not worry about theft. There are way to many other things to occupy spare time. <grin> The major advantage of these anti theft deterrents is the potential discount you can get on your INSURANCE!

Now, a MAJOR area of concern is the hacking of newer car electronics (the ecu for example), as was demonstrated last summer on Jeeps <60 Minutes>! Those guys could hack into the brake system as well as steering and fuel flow; That was scary! The fact that the hacker does not even need to be in close proximity to break in...now that can be deadly!

THE DETROIT NEWS: "Markey cited studies showing hackers can get into the controls of some popular vehicles, "causing them to suddenly accelerate, turn, kill the brakes, activate the horn, control the headlights, and modify the speedometer and gas gauge readings. Additional concerns came from the rise of navigation and other features that record and send location or driving history information."

MY FARADAY CAGE FOR MY KEYFOBS IS NEAR MY DOG'S BAG OF FOOD...NOW THAT WOULD HURT!:'(

I would assume so. Most car manufacturers have been using rolling tech since the late 90's. That being said, it could still be cracked by somebody that knows what they are doing. They were able to hack the keyless push to start systems on earlier BMWs to be able to unlock the car. (not able to start it) BMW had to do a software patch to fix the problem.

The bigger issue with the Chryslers were they were able to gain access through the WIFI and cellular connections on the higher level trim models to gain access to the car's CAN system. Makes you wonder if the CX-5 owners with the mobile start option could have a gateway for would be hackers.

 

[craigo]

Car key systems use rolling codes to foil simple sniff and transmit. However, a device could roll through thousands of codes rapidly. One way to foil this is a brief lockout after a number of unsuccessful tries.

Another method amplifies the signal the car uses to search for nearby keys, for those with the advanced keyless entry. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/s...fe-from-electronic-thieves.html?emc=eta1&_r=1 This only works if your key is within the amplified range.