[gromit2468]

Have seen many opinions that Comfort Access makes car theft easier, so thought I'd do a poll to see if anyone's ever had their car stolen due to it.

[BMW11]

I think everyone is going to say no. I'd be surprised if there is a yes.

[Uber Commuter]

Comfort access only makes theft easier if you are oblivious to your surroundings as you get to your car.

As I tell my 17 yo daughter about her Jetta (has VW's KESSY system, basically the same thing) Set the driver's door to only open the driver's door and approach your car looking around you, not with your head in your phone.

When you walk out to your car with your face in your phone, and unlock every door even though you are the only one getting in, those are the things that get people robbed.

[stormlv]

IIRC the bigger problem with BMW thefts wasn't the comfort access, but the fact that a thief could gain access to the ODB port and replicate a new key without any problems.

The attack concerning the comfort access is a bit trickier to pull off as you need to be in close proximity to the target and attempt to "extend" the range of the key.

This was done with either a cabled solution (pretty obvious for the target) or a more advanced wireless solution.

[Daftasabrush]

The reason comfort access makes theft easier is because there are signal boosters which will amplify the signal from the remotes making the car believe the actual key is within range, then the car can be unlocked easily and it's very easy to code a new key via the OBD port.

[rlmesq]

Here's an article on thieves using a signal extender to steal a car with comfort access.

I've heard of people putting their keys in Faraday bags to prevent hacking.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...0-000-BMW.html

[COKen]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

The reason comfort access makes theft easier is because there are signal boosters which will amplify the signal from the remotes making the car believe the actual key is within range, then the car can be unlocked easily and it's very easy to code a new key via the OBD port.

How is this different from just using the remote to open the car?

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by COKen

How is this different from just using the remote to open the car?

Well, in this case the key / car always ping each other to know if they're in range as opposed to a normal remote which is only active when you press the button to lock/unlock

[jtskariah]

the poll is kind of pointless IMO.. CA theft is rare so the results will be skewed

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by gromit2468

Have seen many opinions that Comfort Access makes car theft easier, so thought I'd do a poll to see if anyone's ever had their car stolen due to it.

"Opinions" don't make it true.

Yes--there have been articles that show that there is technology out there to do it. But it entails someone being within proximity to your fob when you use it, cloning the signal, and then using that signal at a later date to take your car. That's a lot of g-d damned work to have to go thru to steal a car.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by BMW11

I think everyone is going to say no. I'd be surprised if there is a yes.

How could there be a legitimate yes? If the car was stolen, how would the owner know HOW the car was stolen?

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by tex2670

"Opinions" don't make it true.

Yes--there have been articles that show that there is technology out there to do it. But it entails someone being within proximity to your fob when you use it, cloning the signal, and then using that signal at a later date to take your car. That's a lot of g-d damned work to have to go thru to steal a car.

It is easier than cloning the encrypted signal. All you need to know is where the keyfob is and to amplify the signal between the car and fob so they think they're near each other. The actual fob communicates with the car. Once opened, you can program the key by holding a new keyfob near the steering column and it will be programmed to the car. There was a YouTube video of an attempted theft using this method and they were able to unlock the car but the thieves were scared off by a dog barking. Was caught on surveillance video so that's how you might know the method to answer the earlier question.

[kern417]

this really shouldn't be a concern.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by kern417

this really shouldn't be a concern.

If your car gets stolen it's covered by insurance.

[bad karma]

No, but I don't even remotely care. Someone steals my car and I get a brand new one. They'd be doing me a favor.

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by bad karma

No, but I don't even remotely care. Someone steals my car and I get a brand new one. They'd be doing me a favor.

Unless they trash it (but not wreck it) and abandon it, in which case insurance won't pay for a new one...

[murrays]

Originally Posted by tex2670

"Opinions" don't make it true.

Yes--there have been articles that show that there is technology out there to do it. But it entails someone being within proximity to your fob when you use it, cloning the signal, and then using that signal at a later date to take your car. That's a lot of g-d damned work to have to go thru to steal a car.

I don't believe this would work because the same signal isn't used on subsequent entries.

As others have said, you have to have two radios, one near the car, one near the fob. The car pings radio 1 which sends the signal to radio 2 which pings the fob. Radio 2 sends the signal back to radio 1 which then makes the car think the fob is nearby.

Find a metal box or some aluminum foil for your fob if you're concerned.

[gromit2468]

Originally Posted by tex2670

"Opinions" don't make it true.

Yes--there have been articles that show that there is technology out there to do it. But it entails someone being within proximity to your fob when you use it, cloning the signal, and then using that signal at a later date to take your car. That's a lot of g-d damned work to have to go thru to steal a car.

That's my thoughts exactly! Lots of votes and still no-one who's had a car stolen!