Many new vehicles are now built with a Key-Free System and Power Starter Button, so getting into your car is more convenient and simple, but how safe is it?
KEYLESS ENTRY
The keyless entry system allows you to lock and unlock your vehicle, without even taking your key out of your bag or pocket. This works by sensors on the car detecting a signal emitted by the vehicle’s key, when it’s a certain distance from the car, and activates the locking mechanism accordingly.
POWER STARTER BUTTON
With a Power Starter Button you no longer need to insert the key into the ignition to start the car. Once inside the car with your key, to start the engine all you need to do is simply push the Starter Button while holding down the clutch or brake pedal if it’s an automatic.
NEW: ‘KICK’ OPEN BOOT
A kick-activated tailgate has recently been unveiled. Similarly to the keyless entry, with this you are able to open and close the boot by simply waving your foot underneath the rear bumper. This feature is to aid those who are carrying something that they need to put in the boot without the necessity to put the item down.
HOW SAFE IS KEYLESS ENTRY & START?
Keyless car entry systems were designed to make it easier getting into your car, but could it also make it easier for criminals to gain access to your car as well?
The keyless entry system works on a signal output from the key to your car. By being in a close proximity to your vehicle the locking mechanism will act accordingly. The danger of this is that people, particularly women, are at risk of being attacked by a thief when accessing their vehicle. Organised criminals will watch car parks in particular to find out which cars have keyless entry. Once in the vehicle they’ll be able to use the keyless Power Start Button, as they’ll still be within close proximity of the key, and it won’t become an issue of not having the key until they turn the engine off.
Alternatively, criminals will find a way of intercepting the key signals and increasing the signal so that the distance from the car to access is greater. They can then access keyless vehicles without the owner being in a close proximity, preventing the need to attack them. The only way to protect from this is to have some sort of shield on the key to prevent it emitting a signal once the vehicle is locked, however, to have this you’ll have to know where the key is, therefore eliminating the use for a keyless entry system.
In summary, these vulnerabilities should give the manufacturers a pause for thought, before they add another ‘convenience’ feature to vehicles.
KEYLESS ENTRY
The keyless entry system allows you to lock and unlock your vehicle, without even taking your key out of your bag or pocket. This works by sensors on the car detecting a signal emitted by the vehicle’s key, when it’s a certain distance from the car, and activates the locking mechanism accordingly.
POWER STARTER BUTTON
With a Power Starter Button you no longer need to insert the key into the ignition to start the car. Once inside the car with your key, to start the engine all you need to do is simply push the Starter Button while holding down the clutch or brake pedal if it’s an automatic.
NEW: ‘KICK’ OPEN BOOT
A kick-activated tailgate has recently been unveiled. Similarly to the keyless entry, with this you are able to open and close the boot by simply waving your foot underneath the rear bumper. This feature is to aid those who are carrying something that they need to put in the boot without the necessity to put the item down.
HOW SAFE IS KEYLESS ENTRY & START?
Keyless car entry systems were designed to make it easier getting into your car, but could it also make it easier for criminals to gain access to your car as well?
The keyless entry system works on a signal output from the key to your car. By being in a close proximity to your vehicle the locking mechanism will act accordingly. The danger of this is that people, particularly women, are at risk of being attacked by a thief when accessing their vehicle. Organised criminals will watch car parks in particular to find out which cars have keyless entry. Once in the vehicle they’ll be able to use the keyless Power Start Button, as they’ll still be within close proximity of the key, and it won’t become an issue of not having the key until they turn the engine off.
Alternatively, criminals will find a way of intercepting the key signals and increasing the signal so that the distance from the car to access is greater. They can then access keyless vehicles without the owner being in a close proximity, preventing the need to attack them. The only way to protect from this is to have some sort of shield on the key to prevent it emitting a signal once the vehicle is locked, however, to have this you’ll have to know where the key is, therefore eliminating the use for a keyless entry system.
In summary, these vulnerabilities should give the manufacturers a pause for thought, before they add another ‘convenience’ feature to vehicles.