Security chips used in car keys for anti-theft purposes may be easier to bypass than believed, US researchers said after cracking the codes for the chips in under two hours.
The Johns Hopkins University research team said they cracked the code in the wireless chips aimed at immobilising cars if the proper key is not used.
About 150 million of these chips made by Texas Instruments are in use today, the researchers said.
The system is also used for the wireless ExxonMobil SpeedPass system to buy fuel.
The research team headed by computer scientist Avi Rubin said they employed the type of techniques used by hackers (crackers) to break the code in the radio frequency identification (RFID) chips.
"We haven't altered the security of the TI system. We have merely brought a weakness to light," the team said.
"Our belief is that if scientists did not draw attention to the weaknesses in the system, law breakers might come to discover and exploit it themselves.
dduardo said:Haven't you seen "Gone in 60 Seconds?" Just remove the steering wheel with the club attached.
On another note those RFID tags that you can use at the gas stations have also been cracked.
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/01/30/1617240&tid=172&tid=1
The_Professional said:Removing the steering wheel from the car and replacing it sounds very time consuming to me. I doubt the effectiveness of this in practice, nor have I heard any news of a carjacker attempting it.
franznietzsche said:Probably because is either very effective, or no one does it.
Car security chips, also known as immobilizer chips, are small electronic devices embedded in a car key or ignition system that prevent unauthorized access to a vehicle. They use encryption technology to communicate with the car's computer and allow the car to start only when the correct chip is present.
Car security chips can be cracked through a process called "key cloning." This involves copying the code from a legitimate key onto a blank chip, which can then be used to start the car. Other methods include using specialized equipment to intercept and decode the communication between the chip and the car's computer.
Preventing car security chips from being cracked is important because it helps to prevent car theft. Without the proper chip, a car cannot be started, making it much more difficult for thieves to steal the vehicle. This technology has greatly reduced the number of car thefts in recent years.
While it is possible to crack most car security chips, it is not an easy task. The encryption technology used in these chips is constantly evolving and becoming more difficult to bypass. Additionally, some car manufacturers have implemented additional security measures, such as rolling codes, to make it even harder to crack their chips.
Car owners can protect their car security chips by taking simple precautions, such as keeping their keys secure and not leaving them in the car. They can also invest in additional security measures, such as steering wheel locks or tracking devices, to make it even more difficult for thieves to steal their car. Regularly updating the car's software and using strong encryption codes can also help prevent hacking attempts.