BMW owners hit by high tech theft

[NISFAN]

Apparently the 'digital' back up key found in most modern cars only has a low code combination, and you can work out each 'stage' systematically. There is a tool that can be used to unlock the doors.
Fortunately it doesn't turn the alarm off, so not that interesting to thieves who would just as easily open the door with a jimmy bar and loop.

 

[Paul/]

Well that's just fine - sod everyone who owns a car that we produced before then!

To be fair, BMW have done their bit by correcting the problem with brand new vehicles (though they've clearly not cracked the indicators problem yet)- so anyone who is concerned simply needs to buy a new car from them.

 

[davidjpowell]

To be fair, BMW have done their bit by correcting the problem with brand new vehicles (though they've clearly not cracked the indicators problem yet)- so anyone who is concerned simply needs to buy a new car from them.

I hope this is tongue in cheek.....

 

[Paul/]

i hope this is tongue in cheek.....

:d

 

[Dryce]

The keys should never have left the control of the main dealers. Nobody except the Dealer should be able to supply keys to the cars.

That allows the dealers to charge an exhorbitent amount for what we now know is a trivial process.

The simple solution to the existing problem is to only allow a key to be programmed to the car if an existing key for the car is used to enable the process.

 

[renault12ts]

BBC iPlayer - Watchdog: Series 30: Episode 1

 

[hawk20]

The simple solution to the existing problem is to only allow a key to be programmed to the car if an existing key for the car is used to enable the process.

But what if those existing keys have been lost, damaged or stolen?

 

[Dryce]

But what if those existing keys have been lost, damaged or stolen?

Allowing one key to be used to register a new key deals with the more common situation where the owner loses or damages a single key.

If both keys are lost then it's something that has to be done via the factory.

Customer presents dealer with suitable proofs of ownership.

Car issues a cryptographically generated random challenge code unique to car. Dealer provides that to factory. Factory provides dealer with a response code. If car accepts code matches the challenge code then dealer is authenticated and can assign new key.

It's not rocket science.

 

[markjay]

This will allow making if duplicate key too easy... valet parking, garage, anyone who gets the key could make a copy and come later and take the car.

 

[Dryce]

This will allow making if duplicate key too easy... valet parking, garage, anyone who gets the key could make a copy and come later and take the car.

So have the car flash up how many keys are currently assigned to it on startup - and make that especially prominent for a period after any change. Then the owner knows it's been tampered with.

That also deals with the situation where a family member such as a teenager decides they discretely want the option of having their own key tucked away.

 

[misfire84]

well just disable the obd2 prot for normal use and when you actualy need it put the wire back in to the plug , or have a hidden switch on one of the wires . I have done this on all my mercs and now i have defected to bmw i have done this so the obd2 will not work ,( unless you know who is needing to use it )