Fergus, Ontario – Four Ram trucks in Fergus, Ont., have been stolen without any keys taken, with police advising drivers to safeguard fobs against relay attacks.
According to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) West Region, four Dodge Ram 1500s were stolen on Aug. 28 between 4 to 5 a.m. from the driveways of multiple residences in Fergus, Ont. In each of those cases, keys were not taken.
Unlike traditional entry methods for prospective carjackers, relay attacks use technology to duplicate key fob signals emanating from a nearby location, often just several dozen meters away. These duplicated signals combined with a blank key fob allows thieves to digitally copy the vehicle’s key.
While an earlier report by Collision Repair Magazine suggests that physical entry and mechanical breaches remain the most used technique, the rising prevalence of relay attacks in 2022 suggests that they are no longer as rare as initially believed.
There is a simple defence against this technique though – faraday cages and key pouches can do the job for a considerable price, but a cookie tin will protect you just as well.
Do you think keyless fobs compromise too much on security for convenience, or is it the individual’s responsibility to secure their fob? What cookie tins do you use? Let us know in the comments below.
#WellingtonOPP investigating theft of 4 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks from #Fergus @CentrWellington occurred between 4-5 a.m. Aug 28. ’22 Dodge Ram 1500 Grey Sport, Silver Big Horn, Silver Sport and a ’21 Black Sport stolen from residences. Contact OPP or @CSGWtips with any info. pic.twitter.com/irjOFCat7D
— OPP West Region (@OPP_WR) August 28, 2022
