Cryptographers unlock code of 'thiefproof' car key

Researchers at Johns Hopkins bypass chip-based "immobilizer" security, raising questions about RFID technology.
The New York Times

The story "Cryptographers unlock code of 'thiefproof' car key" published January 29, 2005 at 10:58 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[garbuck]

Don't sweat the elevators!

The real threat posed by TI's short key is valet parking. Just duplicate the physical key and brute-force the RFID key and get the owner's address from the registration in the glove box. Then, a few days later, go and drive it off!

These researchers needed something to research

That's what this report really says.. If someone is close enough to read my key.. and had theft motives in mind, I think I would be more worried about their knive, gun, strongarm, etc, etc.. than their RFID reader..

This research news is kind of like one of the scenes in an Indiana Jones movie.. Big bad guy waving big fancy knives in a threatening manner.. Indiana just looks annoyed, pulls out his gun and shots him..

[Below Meigh]

If they want it that bad...

We are talking Fords, Nissan and Toyotas.
And really, if you have an expensive car, you should have comp and collision insurance anyway. If its stolen, chances are its stripped and parted out by they time the police find out.

Most folks can add an immobilizer, killswitch, or GPS-locator product if their car is that worthwhile.

Besides, with more folks leasing...who cares. Just have the proper waiver and fees paid...