Their research department says they can start the new cars that have the chip in the key.

 

where did u see that?

 

It headline on Yahoo right now.

 

link???? i dont see it

 

i got it

http://news.com.com/Cryptographers+unlock+..._3-5555802.html

 

pretty amazing tho im not gonna worry too much. ill be wrapping my key in tin foil and a large anti static bag like the ezpass tags come in, then safeguarding it in a box with a combo lock

 

Thanks T-bird, I couldn't get a link to work.

 

I saw that too. The equipment to do it is supposedly expensive and quite cumbersome so hopefully it won't be a problem for a while.

 

Doubt it will take long, there is a lot of money in car theft. Some pretty dedicated people. Right now the car is unique and hard not to be spotted in, but I thing I will look into alternatives because it's also difficult to get replaced.

 

i saw that in the paper' it sed something like

"we stole our own car and then stole gas money from our own credit card"
really makes you think...

wait i got n idea. what if the dealer allowed u to program each key thingy witha a "username" and "password" of sorts. like an email address. that way, even if u n joe blow have the same "password" or code, u wont be able to open eachothers car because ur cars have differend "usernames". or in this case, just names.

or am i just crazy

 

Sounds good to me, wish TI had thought about it more.

 

Compromising the key will not necessarily compromise the car. So long as other security systems are in use (car alarms, the CLUB, etc.), it'll make the vehicle much more resistant to theft. If the thief is an amateur then its likely that they'll go elsewhere and find a car thats easier to get. If, however, the thief is a pro all the security in the world isn't gonna protect it for long...

 

Didn't you guys read that in order to do this they would have to be standing near you for a short period of time in order to get the code to hotwire the car. Therefore, these people will have to be in the parking lot waiting for you, follow you for a few feet, and activate their device for picking up the code. Otherwise they can't just walk up to any car and do this.

 

Jan 30, 7:29 PM (ET)

By BRIAN WITTE

BALTIMORE (AP) - Researchers said they have found a way to crack the code used in millions of car keys, a development they said could allow thieves to bypass the security systems on newer car models.

The research team at Johns Hopkins University said Saturday it discovered that the "immobilizer" security system developed by Texas Instruments could be cracked using a "relatively inexpensive electronic device" that acquires information hidden in the microchips that make the system work.

The radio-frequency security system being used in more than 150 million new Fords, Toyotas and Nissans involves a transponder chip embedded in the key and a reader inside the car. If the reader does not recognize the transponder, the car will not start, even if the key inserted in the ignition is the correct one.

It's similar to the new gasoline purchase system in which a reader inside the gas pump is able to recognize a small key-chain tag when the tag is waved in front of it. The transaction is then charged to the tag owner's credit card.

Researchers said they were able to crack that code, too.

"We stole our own car, and we bought gas stealing from our own credit card," said Avi Rubin, a professor of computer science at Johns Hopkins who led the research team.

Texas Instruments was recently given demonstrations of the team's code cracking capabilities, but the company maintains its system is secure.

Tony Sabetti, a business manager with Texas Instruments, said the hardware used to crack the codes is cumbersome, expensive and not practical for common thieves.

"I think the way in which it's presented as being inexpensive to do and quick and all the rest of that is an exaggeration," Sabetti said. "And because of that, we believe the technology still is extremely secure for the applications that it's used in."

But Rubin said the code-breaking demonstrations illustrate that developers did not pay enough attention to security.

"I think the implications are that it sets us back about 10 years ago where we were with car security," Rubin said.

In the seven years the technology has been in use, Texas Instruments has never had a reported incident where a car has been stolen or a gasoline-purchasing tag has been duplicated, company spokesman Bill Allen said.

The Johns Hopkins team, which was funded by Bedford, Mass.-based RSA Security Inc. (RSAS), recommended distributing free metallic sheaths to cover the radio frequency devices when they are not being used.

 

Actually they could be standing near you in line at a fast food restaurant, in an elevator, or most anywhere else and get your code. They don't need to be near you AND your car to snoop. The key simply requires is that a small amount of power be received from a sending device to allow it to initiate its authentication sequence.

 

Or something similar to that BMW in The Transporter, he puts a pin number in a keypad to get the car to start.

 

OK, I am stupid, I didn't know the 05 had the chipped key???? Dealer never told me.

 

Thanks... we've actually already been discussing this.

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=14880

 

Thanks for the link to the article. It was a little scary. btw, what happened to your avatar, WildStray? I liked it but all I see is a red "X" now.

 

Not really news to me. If someone wants something bad enough they can do it, especially when it comes to security.

Anyone remember when Sony spent millions to stop copywriting disks and what was super technique to break this unbreakable coding? Draw on the outer edge of the disk with a dollar sharpie marker.