Many existing keyless entry systems are not secure. For the past few years, many car owners with keyless entry systems have reported thieves approaching their vehicles with mysterious devices and effortlessly opening them in second. And these mysterious device is digital equipment that harvests car entry and starts codes from key fobs stored even within an owner’s property.
In response to this problem, a Seoul-based global manufacturer Kia Motors has produced its own Faraday-like key pouch called “the KiaSafe case” which prevent relay attack devices obtaining the frequency from the car key to enable them to access the vehicle. The new key case will be available for customers that purchase a new or used Kia model with a keyless entry system.
The case acts like a Faraday cage (an enclosure used to block electromagnetic fields) to block the key’s wireless signals. It is ultimately a metal-lined pouch which eliminates this (obtaining the frequency from the car key) possibility by blocking the device that thieves use.
The company says they are also working to ensure that future keyless entry systems are rendered as close to impervious to attack as possible.
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“While our current keyless entry systems do not have UWB or “sleep” buttons our engineers are developing additional levels of protection for future vehicles and these will be applied as soon as is feasible given production schedules and new model introductions,” said David Hart, Customer Experience Manager at Kia Motors.
“We encourage owners to adopt protection behaviors as advised by the Police – such as not leaving keyless entry fobs in the front door lock of their home or close to windows – and to use the KiaSafe to ensure their key fobs are rendered safe from hacking” added Hart.
