I was wondering if my Hyundai was vulnerable to relay theft. I used a pouch to store the fob on my last car which made it safe from this. I'm hoping I don't have to do this again.

 

Relay theft is the least of your worries. Hyundais and Kias are vulnerable to an attack that tricks the car into thinking you have a valid key so it'll open and start as normal. This is NOT a relay attack but an exploit of a weakness that allows attackers to calculate the security code that gives access to the car.

 

I would think there’s a far greater risk of someone exploiting the fact that an app can unlock the vehicle than messing about with a key relay attack nowadays. Taking advantage of a software module permanently waiting there live for a command to unlock from the internet is probably a lot easier than hoping there’s still someone out there who doesn’t bother to put their keys in a faraday cage box…or that the manufacturer hasn’t followed VWs lead and used properly encrypted Ultrawideband beacons that go to sleep and stop responding after a few minutes of not being moved around!
Still, surprising there isn’t simply an option to turn the keyless entry system off - every car I’ve ever driven with such a system just has it as an option in the infotainment 🤔

 

So I just discovered a YouTube describing this. Unfortunately it doesn’t work on my 2020 Eniro. But I think it possibly will on the later Niro Ev? I don’t recall seeing it mentioned on these Kia forums but please forgive me if it has been said before.

(I was inspired to read up on security today as my son has just bought an amazing Genesis GV70 Premium EV so I stumbled upon this).

It’s pretty simple. You just hold both the lock and unlock buttons pressed together on the fob until the lights flash four times. Then keyless (proximity detection) smart entry from the door handle is disabled and you must use the fob remote unlock button (or the app or physical key) to unlock it.

If it works, you would have to do it each time you lock the car, as it is cancelled next time you open the car. It might help a little to counter the various electronic theft attacks.

I really wish there was a way to fully disable all this keyless smart stuff. It’s introduced so many vulnerabilities to modern cars security. Peter

Yes, it works on the Niro EV. I started using this when I heard that 3 Niro EVs had been stolen locally in a week or so - that must be a very high strike rate as I haven't seen many Niro EVs about locally. At the same time I bought a Disklok. There's not much more I can do.

 

That’s astonishing and very concerning to hear. Which area is that in? I have a Stoplock Pro elite which I’ve used since getting my Eniro in 2020. I’d be mortified if my pride and joy was taken. Peter.

 

Hide a small toggle switch somewhere secret just like the old days and wire it in series with the emergency cut-wire under the bonnet near the brake fluid reservoir. It's the EV equivalent of a fuel pump.

 

I’ve been wondering about something along those lines But could not think where to connect to. The thieves may be tooled up to get around the factory hi tec security stuff but maybe not some simple but unique well hidden additional measures. Have you tried disconnecting that wire and does it have any undesirable side effects? Peter.

PS According to this report the Eniro/niro is the most stolen EV of any in UK!

EV theft: These are the most-commonly stolen electric cars in the UK

The UK’s most commonly stolen electric cars have been revealed by a new study that also identified the country’s EV crime hotspots.

evpowered.co.uk

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this one pretty gloomy too……

Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis EVs Are Under Attack | Hagerty UK

Kia, Hyundai and Genesis electric vehicles are being targeted by thieves who are exploiting a number of vulnerabilities in the cars’ security systems.

www.hagerty.co.uk

 

Insurance companies should sue Kia / Hyundai and claim all costs with them. It's the only way to make the arrogant Koreans listen I'm afraid.