Thieves Go High-Tech To Steal Cars

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While it is scary to think that all anyone needs these days to steal a car is a laptop, look how long it takes the thieves to actually get away with the car. The thief must have had balls of steel the way he just casually sits in the car using the laptop to try to steal it. Here's the edited video courtesy of CrimeStoppers.

The discovery follows a recent incident in Houston in which a pair of car thieves were caught on camera using a laptop to start a 2010 Jeep Wrangler and steal it from the owner’s driveway. Police say the same method may have been used in the theft of four other late-model Wranglers and Cherokees in the city. None of the vehicles has been recovered.
 
Our Grand Cherokee was stolen OUT OF OUR GARAGE when we weren't home in this manner.
 
Must not have been home - alarm looks like it was sounding for a couple minutes. too bad the neighbors didn't report anything...?

Welp... if everything has a computer that controls the inner workings of a machine, somebody somewhere will hack it. All you can do is make it more difficult or less appealing to try and steal? as the saying goes - locks are there to keep honest people honest.

Sucks that yours was stolen out of your garage - how'd they get in?
 
fuzzylogik said:
Must not have been home - alarm looks like it was sounding for a couple minutes. too bad the neighbors didn't report anything...?

Welp... if everything has a computer that controls the inner workings of a machine, somebody somewhere will hack it. All you can do is make it more difficult or less appealing to try and steal? as the saying goes - locks are there to keep honest people honest.

Sucks that yours was stolen out of your garage - how'd they get in?
Click to expand...

We had one of those keypads outside for walkup entry, it was determined that they could tell which 4 numbers were worn down the most and it was only a matter of going through the combinations. It's also possible to spoof garage door openers as well.

Though in reality none of that is even necessary since we had glass panels at the top of the door. All you have to do is break the window and pull the emergency release to disengage from the opener.
 
This goes to show that car alarms are useless annoyances. There are several in the parking lot of my apartment complex, going off several times per night. The only thing they make me want to do is torch the vehicles, or let them get stolen.
 
dgingeri said:
This goes to show that car alarms are useless annoyances. There are several in the parking lot of my apartment complex, going off several times per night. The only thing they make me want to do is torch the vehicles, or let them get stolen.
Click to expand...

That's the point of a 2-way alarm with a 1 mile range, so you know when the alarm is going off and if a door was opened etc.



This is exactly why I plan to avoid any of these new cars with integrated computers/infotainment/WAN systems... Those companies put zero thought into security/isolation of these systems and now are trying to catch up and patch after the fact. How the F did they not see this for the attack vector it is...
 
Grahamkracka said:
We had one of those keypads outside for walkup entry, it was determined that they could tell which 4 numbers were worn down the most and it was only a matter of going through the combinations. It's also possible to spoof garage door openers as well.

Though in reality none of that is even necessary since we had glass panels at the top of the door. All you have to do is break the window and pull the emergency release to disengage from the opener.
Click to expand...


Number of security issues there.
For my garage, no outside keypad, no windows in the door, and the side door is steel with a secure deadbolt.
Plus, when we go on vacation, we set the opener to vacation mode, which causes the opener to only respond to the inside switch (remotes disabled).
If they still wanted to get in, it would be easier to take a hammer to the stucco wall :p
They will just try the neighbors instead.

It also helps living in one of the lowest crime cities in the country :D
 
Grahamkracka said:
We had one of those keypads outside for walkup entry, it was determined that they could tell which 4 numbers were worn down the most and it was only a matter of going through the combinations. It's also possible to spoof garage door openers as well.

Though in reality none of that is even necessary since we had glass panels at the top of the door. All you have to do is break the window and pull the emergency release to disengage from the opener.
Click to expand...

HAHA....they didn't use the key pad. Took them 10 seconds or less to get into your garage:



Even without windows in the door, this method is extremely quick and easy. Even a beginner can get it in a couple of minutes.
 
Time2Kill said:
HAHA....they didn't use the key pad. Took them 10 seconds or less to get into your garage:

Even without windows in the door, this method is extremely quick and easy. Even a beginner can get it in a couple of minutes.
Click to expand...

A zip tie will prevent that from happening but if you actually need to use it from the inside it's easily broken by pulling directly down on the cord.

In the original video, was it an obd port hack that they used to gain full access to the jeep? With BMWs they were using an OBD key programmer and programming a new key. Then it was as simple as starting it up and driving off.
 
Time2Kill said:
HAHA....they didn't use the key pad. Took them 10 seconds or less to get into your garage:



Even without windows in the door, this method is extremely quick and easy. Even a beginner can get it in a couple of minutes.
Click to expand...


A Garage Jimmy. I had no idea.
 
Time2Kill said:
HAHA....they didn't use the key pad. Took them 10 seconds or less to get into your garage:



Even without windows in the door, this method is extremely quick and easy. Even a beginner can get it in a couple of minutes.
Click to expand...



Much easier if you have a window in the door to see what your are trying to hook.

The angle to the latch on my door is much more shallow and the latch sits further away, so it would be much more difficult to pull this off, especially since I don't have any windows for them to see what they are doing.
 
So I'm not really up on newer vehicles, as my newest is a 2005 Jeep GC, so maybe I'm missing something. I mean, there used to be a steel pin that locks the steering wheel in place when the key is turned to the off position. Even hot wiring, you had to break that pin or the wheel to be able to steer the vehicle. Has this changed? Does the pin operate via electronic movement instead of mechanical?
 
dgingeri said:
There are several in the parking lot of my apartment complex, going off several times per night. The only thing they make me want to do is torch the vehicles, or let them get stolen.
Click to expand...

A lot of cars come with an alarm standard (despite them being worthless). I have a base-model 2010 Mazda 3 Sport and it has an alarm, even though I hate car alarms.
 
I've worked with a lot of salvage cars (1998-2012 vehicles) and almost all of them, its a quick 30 seconds to drill the tumblers out of the ignition cylinder, and then any key or screwdriver will start the car. Just need to know where to drill. Doesn't work on cars that have the chip in the key, but those cars I can take my tuner and rewrite the ECM with no theft deterrent and then start no problem.
 
nutzo said:
Number of security issues there.
For my garage, no outside keypad, no windows in the door, and the side door is steel with a secure deadbolt.
Plus, when we go on vacation, we set the opener to vacation mode, which causes the opener to only respond to the inside switch (remotes disabled).
If they still wanted to get in, it would be easier to take a hammer to the stucco wall :p
They will just try the neighbors instead.

It also helps living in one of the lowest crime cities in the country :D
Click to expand...

Notice I said "had"...we got rid of the pad after this occurred.

Time2Kill said:
HAHA....they didn't use the key pad. Took them 10 seconds or less to get into your garage:



Even without windows in the door, this method is extremely quick and easy. Even a beginner can get it in a couple of minutes.
Click to expand...


Unless they took the time to replace the latch to it's proper setting before they left, this isn't how they got in. But yea, well aware of the risk.
 
I knew a guy in the late 1980s who use to take off his steering wheel whenever he parked his car. He was a racer so had replaced the original steering wheel with a quick release type which he would store in the trunk.

Back in the 80s/90s (before kids) when I owned cars worth stealing, I use to use both "The Club" and a hook type device that went on the steering wheel and on the brake or clutch. Yes, both relatively easy to defeat but the purpose was make the car not an easy target so the criminal would move on to something else. I still have both devices but haven't used either since last decade. Been years since I have seen either device used in any car yet they were very common 20+ years ago.

1000_2.jpg
club_pedal_wheel_demo3.jpg
 
Our garage door is lockable from the inside? with no access from the outside.- so even if they unhooked the door from the opener like that they would not get in.
 
Insula Gilliganis said:
I knew a guy in the late 1980s who use to take off his steering wheel whenever he parked his car. He was a racer so had replaced the original steering wheel with a quick release type which he would store in the trunk.

Back in the 80s/90s (before kids) when I owned cars worth stealing, I use to use both "The Club" and a hook type device that went on the steering wheel and on the brake or clutch. Yes, both relatively easy to defeat but the purpose was make the car not an easy target so the criminal would move on to something else. I still have both devices but haven't used either since last decade. Been years since I have seen either device used in any car yet they were very common 20+ years ago.

1000_2.jpg
club_pedal_wheel_demo3.jpg
Click to expand...
Can be defeated in less than a minute and can be used to break the steering wheel lock. Not as much of a deterrent as you'd like to think it is. Of course I'm the one with the hackable car so I can't really say much lol
 
Time2Kill said:
HAHA....they didn't use the key pad. Took them 10 seconds or less to get into your garage:



Even without windows in the door, this method is extremely quick and easy. Even a beginner can get it in a couple of minutes.
Click to expand...

a piece of wood above the door can defeat that trick.

 
Wolf_Tech said:
Why I like old cars no computers in it.
Click to expand...

yesh!, No one EVER stole cars in the good ole days :p


Insula Gilliganis said:
I knew a guy in the late 1980s who use to take off his steering wheel whenever he parked his car. He was a racer so had replaced the original steering wheel with a quick release type which he would store in the trunk.

Back in the 80s/90s (before kids) when I owned cars worth stealing, I use to use both "The Club" and a hook type device that went on the steering wheel and on the brake or clutch. Yes, both relatively easy to defeat but the purpose was make the car not an easy target so the criminal would move on to something else. I still have both devices but haven't used either since last decade. Been years since I have seen either device used in any car yet they were very common 20+ years ago.

1000_2.jpg
club_pedal_wheel_demo3.jpg
Click to expand...

I've done the hacksaw fix myself ;)

All depends on whether they want YOUR car or A car. If they really want your stuff it's hard to stop someone with 1/2 a brain.
 
wow very interesting - I have a different type of door and different emergency release... have to check it out. Though anytime you're gone for a long time, turn it off (or unplug the opener if you can) and lock the door shut. or do some garage doors not come with locks anymore?
 
Time2Kill said:
HAHA....they didn't use the key pad. Took them 10 seconds or less to get into your garage:

[Video]

Even without windows in the door, this method is extremely quick and easy. Even a beginner can get it in a couple of minutes.
Click to expand...

Thanks for making me away of this. I had no idea.
 
So in the original car video, was the door even locked? The video skips from him standing outside the car door to sitting inside. If the door was locked then he couldn't enter/steal it?
 
Insula Gilliganis said:
I knew a guy in the late 1980s who use to take off his steering wheel whenever he parked his car. He was a racer so had replaced the original steering wheel with a quick release type which he would store in the trunk.

Back in the 80s/90s (before kids) when I owned cars worth stealing, I use to use both "The Club" and a hook type device that went on the steering wheel and on the brake or clutch. Yes, both relatively easy to defeat but the purpose was make the car not an easy target so the criminal would move on to something else. I still have both devices but haven't used either since last decade. Been years since I have seen either device used in any car yet they were very common 20+ years ago.

1000_2.jpg
club_pedal_wheel_demo3.jpg
Click to expand...

I remember visiting my cousins in California in the 90's and every fucking parked car had a club in it. I can't believe people used to live like that. And yes, all they had to do was cut a chunk out of the steering wheel, so they were indeed easy to defeat. Also, all the freeway signs were spray painted with graffiti and they were all lined with barbed wire.

You were better off installing a kill switch to the fuel pump or ignition. Or just pull the fuel pump fuse if you were gonna leave your car parked for a bit. Fuck it, just make a quick disconnect to the entire fuse box and bring the fuse box with you everywhere you go, instead of that club. :LOL:
 
Insula Gilliganis said:
I knew a guy in the late 1980s who use to take off his steering wheel whenever he parked his car. He was a racer so had replaced the original steering wheel with a quick release type which he would store in the trunk.
Click to expand...

That's what I do. I have a Prodrive quick release and a Prodrive lock. Once I pop off the steering wheel, the lock goes over it, so you can't put on another steering wheel. My old car had the chip, but my new one doesn't.

MooCow said:
I remember visiting my cousins in California in the 90's and every fucking parked car had a club in it. I can't believe people used to live like that. And yes, all they had to do was cut a chunk out of the steering wheel, so they were indeed easy to defeat. Also, all the freeway signs were spray painted with graffiti and they were all lined with barbed wire.

You were better off installing a kill switch to the fuel pump or ignition. Or just pull the fuel pump fuse if you were gonna leave your car parked for a bit. Fuck it, just make a quick disconnect to the entire fuse box and bring the fuse box with you everywhere you go, instead of that club. :LOL:
Click to expand...

I'm actually looking to put a emergency kill switch in my car. None of this is meant to be a theft deterrent and more about race car things. I'm still a long ways away from that though. Still needing a titanium roll cage first, fire extinguisher system, racing seats, harnesses, etc.
 
It won't be done on low value vehicles, but if someone is interested in stripping out the vehicle without damaging it or sending it to another market, nothing beats a tow truck. In and out in under a minute, no damage to the vehicle.
 
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If they really want it they'll get it.
But to deter skilled joy riders or mid level thieves, some kill switches are good. Time wasting is the only game you have with determined people.

Microwave/iR alarms installed properly and discretely can be great too...
 
maddude said:
It won't be done on low value vehicles, but if someone is interested in stripping out the vehicle without damaging it or sending it to another market, nothing beats a tow truck. In and out in under a minute, no damage to the vehicle.
Click to expand...

Actually that's a way people had stolen cars. They say their car broke down and call the tow truck to move it. It's not like the tow truck company asks for proof that it's your car.

How thieves can use tow truck companies to steal your car
 
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fuzzylogik said:
wow very interesting - I have a different type of door and different emergency release... have to check it out. Though anytime you're gone for a long time, turn it off (or unplug the opener if you can) and lock the door shut. or do some garage doors not come with locks anymore?
Click to expand...

Funny you mention no lock on the garage doors. Mine does not have a lock on it. weird!
 
Viper16 said:
Funny you mention no lock on the garage doors. Mine does not have a lock on it. weird!
Click to expand...

Mine does, but that kind of defeats the purpose of having the garage door opener.... Unless none of you guys park in your garage.

But that coathanger trick is pretty scary considering my garage leads into my condo and I never lock that door... Guess I should add that block of wood. Although, there are also vents on the bottom of the garage door that could be easily pulled out. Then someone with a BB gun and good aim could pretty easily shoot the button to open the garage.
 
There's been a theory with push button start cars that people are using relatively cheap equipment to boost the signal from your keychain inside your home so that the car thinks that you are in the vehicle and starts. It will complain when you drive away of course, but it won't disable the car. I keep my keys in a Faraday bag when I'm at home for this very reason. Newer systems calculate the delay between responses of fob and the car and prevent this but it's pretty hard to know what system each car uses.
 
Ryokurin said:
There's been a theory with push button start cars that people are using relatively cheap equipment to boost the signal from your keychain inside your home so that the car thinks that you are in the vehicle and starts. It will complain when you drive away of course, but it won't disable the car. I keep my keys in a Faraday bag when I'm at home for this very reason. Newer systems calculate the delay between responses of fob and the car and prevent this but it's pretty hard to know what system each car uses.
Click to expand...

Except as far as I know, the FOB keys they use are passive devices that only activate when next to the reading unit which provides the 'power'. I would need to see source/proof of concept on how that would work, even with expensive equipment.
 
Biznatch said:
Mine does, but that kind of defeats the purpose of having the garage door opener.... Unless none of you guys park in your garage.
Click to expand...

I think the lock is more about securing your garage when you're away for an extended period of time.
 
Biznatch said:
Except as far as I know, the FOB keys they use are passive devices that only activate when next to the reading unit which provides the 'power'. I would need to see source/proof of concept on how that would work, even with expensive equipment.
Click to expand...
No, they definitely have batteries in them. When you touch the capacitive sensor in the car, the car generates a RF pulse which pings the fob. The fob detects the ping from the car and then it transmits a signal comparable to you having pressed one of the buttons on an old style fob back to the car. With a 2-way range extending radio link you could definitely make the key talk to the car over a much longer distance.
 
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