According to automotive security experts Ian Tabor and Ken Tindell, car thieves are using a device that costs just £2,000 to break into cars through their headlights.
Thieves are removing bumpers and headlights to access wiring, enabling them to connect widely available electronics and hack into the car’s internal computer networks.
Once connected, the devices can disable engine immobilisers automatically and can be used to open windows or even activate door locks. These hacking devices are readily available online and can be purchased for prices ranging from three to four figures.
Illicit vendors selling these devices claim that they provide instant access to high-value cars, including Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, Lamborghinis, and more.
The Telegraph has discovered websites in several European countries that sell these devices.
Mr. Tabor purchased a device similar to the one that he believes was used to steal his Toyota RAV4 last year and reverse-engineered it. He reported that the process took approximately 30 seconds from start to finish. He added, “Plug the thing in. The engine starts making whirring noises as it disarms the immobiliser. Press another button, the doors unlock, and then the thieves can get in and go.”
The hacking device is designed to be plugged into a socket hidden underneath a car’s bumpers or headlights. From there, the device accesses the car’s CAN bus, an internal computer network that controls its sensors and systems.
A Toyota spokesperson stated that while it is difficult for car manufacturers to eliminate the risk of criminal activity entirely, they collaborate with insurance associations and police authorities worldwide to reduce the risk.
