mohrt

Several months ago I came out to my RX-8 and saw that the car cover was half-way removed and the doors were unlocked and the trunk was opened. I keep it locked.

Last night, my girlfriends car was broken into, and my RX-8 was parked along side of it. No forced entry to mine, but again I see my doors are unlocked. I never leave them unlocked.

Is it possible someone has a keycode scanner or similar to unlock the car? If they try to use a slim jim, won't the alarm sound? I would have heard that.

TIA

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

the protocol they use for MOST keyless entry system is based on an encryption thats like 30 years ago.

RFID chip on the keyless entry sends (or when u press the lock/unlock/panic button) encrypted public key over the air, then when the computer receieves it, it will try to decode it with the Decryption key that has been set in the ECU. yes that means the computer receive thousands of *codes* every day cuz u're not the only one with keyless entry.

When the key it received can be decrypted and the final *answer* matches the key stored into the system. the computer unlocks.

The problem with this encryption is that when someone, with a laptop and basic code scanner sits around long enough + u keep pressing the button on ur remote for fun, they can be able to *guess* what is your decryption key is.

This encryption thing has been hacked for quite some time, Auto Manufactures did updated some of the encryption to make this process *harder*. but not enough to stop this from happening.

the newest standard has been use by Audi(and some VW) that the remote and the ECU encyption key/decryption key will change every time you press the button. makes hacking like million times harder (its still possible tho, but good luck with doing it !)

The only way to find out is to monitor ur car closely, tape shut the door underneath, then walk away and lock it, if someone opens the door, the tape will not be there right ?

it is possible to change the encryption code on your car, but u'll need to tell Mazda about it.

mohrt

So someone has to sit around with a laptop and repeatedly hack at it? I'm really doubting these thieves are that sophisticated. I was thinking they have a hold of something simple that scans and unlocks the car. Or, possibly they are using a slim jim or a master key of some sort? If the car is unlocked via key or slim jim, wouldn't the horn still sound?

Also, doesn't the car lock itself if you shut it off and walk away without locking it? I had a friend that sat in the car waiting once while I ran inside. He said the locks automatically locked after a minute or two, and he unlocked it from the inside of the car and the alarm sounded.

mohrt

The police took a report, and they have no clue how they got into my car. They say no way these guys used some decoder, they aren't that smart. There is no master key, and a slim jim won't work. And, there was no indication of forced entry anyways. The car has a film of dirt that would have shown that.

So I really have no idea how they get in, unless somehow I left the car unlocked and the car did not lock itself. Or they have a key, which I don't know how they would.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Yep, someone HAS to sit around with a laptop.

It is NOT possible to just randomly hack the code, unless they're *really really* lucky (cuz the possiblity is like 1 out of I think 3 billion, depends on the code length too)

The car will auto locks itself if the key is out of the ignition and away from the key hole. BUT sometimes it does not auto lock itself, I dont know why

The alarm will go off if they try to slim jim. Thats if u lock the car in the first place.

There is no *master key* for these kind of locks. Auto Lock was designed with *no Master key* in the first place. Thats why back then when ppl try to steal cars (b4 immoiblizer kind of thing was invented) they always go after the wires, cuz its much much easier.

Check ur door handle and see if there are any bumps or signs of *hit*.

mohrt

Can you break into an RX8 by hitting the door?

Rems31

yea similar to the technique used for the mazda3's

Leesha

I have no breakin's so safe as safe can get... Don't even know what my key looks like anymore because I don't take it out my purse...

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

They could use a code-grabber, similar to the ones for opening garage doors. They get the code off the remote, maybe at a valet park situation, then use it on the car later......


S

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

i meant to tell mazda about this, but it hasnt been happening lately.

when i would park my car and go to class, i'd come back and find my car unlocked. nothing was stolen, one time my ipod was in plain sight. i had money in the ash tray. i am convinced that my car spontaneously unlocks itself.

is it possible that other mazdas unlock it? there are a LOT of mazda3s at my univ.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

It is possible, but RX-8's door design are *Somewhat* different so its at least 10 times harder to hit the *Right* spot. (the door handle will probably be destroy b4 the guy can get hit the right spot)


This method is hard because the code is base on what they call a Public/Private key challenge.

Thats why when you want to program the key, you have to press something on the remote for a few seconds for the car to *approve* it



I love working on encryption

Razz1

This is why I don't like keyless entry.

Too easy to make a scanner that sends out signals. You just go through the whole range and bingo! Car or garage unlocks.

Leesha

Okay so does this mean they can start my car also because I have that new keyless entry thingy...????

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

On the other hand - they WANT in they will GET in.

You would rather they break some glass?

Face it, items in a car is just in a display case like jewelery....(not you Leesha, items!)

S

mike73737

+1 agree with Stealth. Just like the locks on your house, a motivated thief will get in. Just a matter of how much force is required. Alarms just make it harder because they have to work quicker. I did see a picture of a South African alarm once though, it was a BMW with a flame thrower deal out the side. If you tried to steal the car it would burn you to death. Probably fake (and certainly illegal here) but that's one of the only methods to truly prevent someone from getting in.

mike73737

Here it is:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/232777.stm

And video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDRme0HeXq4

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Yep, if they want it, they WILL get in no matter what.

The other day when I was doing my clutch, at the shop (its a big shop), there is a *all fuxked up Evolution VIII* there. I was like *wow, what the hell did the owner do ? * then they told me this is actually a *recovered* Evo VIII, when it first got to their shop 1/2 of the stuff were gone, in fact they just put both front seats back in there ... LOL ! Then I was like wow, isnt there an immobilizer or something, well then they told me if they want to steal your car, they WILL get it, just a matter of time, thats why u have to put as much **** on it as possible, at least you can *slow them down*, even a minute, sometimes that extra minute can save your car.

mohrt

I checked the doors, no evidence of hitting the door to unlock it. I'm still baffled why the door would be unlocked. I don't think I could leave it unlocked that easily anyways? When I shut off the car, remove the key, shut the door and walk away, it locks. If I unlock it and don't open the door, it locks again.

Mazurfer

nycgps...."I love working on encryption"


Interesting.............does "CRIC" mean anything to you?

Dave

mohrt

nope

Mazurfer

It was for NYCGPS
sorry about that.

xsnipersgox

you can just get a high end alarm system to reassure urself with 2 way radio and shock sensors with backup battery, and a fuse immobile system to keep the car from moving.

Duke15

You never know - it depends on how many variables Mazda used. I once had a 1979 RX-7 and a guy at my work had a 1982. They were both white, and once when I was tired I went out, unlocked my car, got in, started it up, and then thought, "How in the hell did I get cloth interior in my car?". Come to find out, our keys worked on each others cars.

mike73737

The previous owner of my car has an after market alarm with a backup battery on it. Scared the crap out of me when I disconnected the car battery to change it out. As soon as I disconnected the terminal the alarm when off. I had no idea what was going on until I realized there must be a backup somewhere and shut it off.

Socket7

What we need here is video surveillance. That way we can figure out what the heck they're doing to unlock the car. Immobilizers can be circumvented by tow trucks, nobody pays attention to alarms, and you can always fall back to breaking a window.

http://www.wilife.com/Default.aspx I've seen this system in person and it's very nice. They even have night vision kits (They are currently working on an outdoor night vision cam, but haven't released it yet) Get an outdoor cam, place the illuminator in your front window and you're good to go.

You can even set up the software to start recording whenever someone enters a certain section of the cameras field of view (like walking up to your car), or just have straight out motion sensing.

The good thing about this kind of security is that you can catch a face, or a license plate. Thats something the police can actually use to catch someone. No alarm system can do that.