Security Update if you may......

[Minty JL]

So yesterday I met up over at my buddies shop and like anytime we get together we talk shop.

So we got into the discussion of security or there lack of with the FCA vehicles. He just recently installed a Viper security system, the normal Hellcat security items and a redundant GPS tracking system. Which lead down the rabbit hole of cloning keys.

So the BLUF now: Come July/August, all scan tools that have the ability to clone or code key fobs will be protected. What does that mean, in order to clone or code key fobs you will have to input credentials aka Locksmith or dealer credentials in order to use that function with a Autel, Snap on or any of the other tools that allow or have the ability to code keys/fobs.

So hopefully, there will be security extended to the end user(us) and hopefully insurance rates will adjust in the near future.

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[Alpine Warthog]

So the BLUF now: Come July/August, all scan tools that have the ability to clone or code key fobs will be protected. What does that mean, in order to clone or code key fobs you will have to input credentials aka Locksmith or dealer credentials in order to use that function with a Autel, Snap on or any of the other tools that allow or have the ability to code keys/fobs.

I guess I'm not up on how these coders work. Do they have to connect to an online database to get key fob codes?That's the only way I can see it locking down the codes from the tools already in the field.

Does this prevent the fob relay attacks?

 

[Minty JL]

I guess I'm not up on how these coders work. Do they have to connect to an online database to get key fob codes?That's the only way I can see it locking down the codes from the tools already in the field.

Does this prevent the fob relay attacks?

So simple answer, No they can still do the relay attack. BUT they will have no way to clone key fob

 

[HooliganActual]

So yesterday I met up over at my buddies shop and like anytime we get together we talk shop.

So we got into the discussion of security or there lack of with the FCA vehicles. He just recently installed a Viper security system, the normal Hellcat security items and a redundant GPS tracking system. Which lead down the rabbit hole of cloning keys.

So the BLUF now: Come July/August, all scan tools that have the ability to clone or code key fobs will be protected. What does that mean, in order to clone or code key fobs you will have to input credentials aka Locksmith or dealer credentials in order to use that function with a Autel, Snap on or any of the other tools that allow or have the ability to code keys/fobs.

So hopefully, there will be security extended to the end user(us) and hopefully insurance rates will adjust in the near future.

Well, this seems like a step in the right direction.

Playing Devil's Advocate (and realizing you are just the messenger), it does seem that the saying "only criminals commit crimes" still seems to be at play here. It's only a matter of time before those credentials are stolen or "purchased" and then nothing will have really changed.

I certainly wish the auto manufacturers would do something more positive to prevent the theft potential.

 

[Jimmy07]

So the BLUF now: Come July/August, all scan tools that have the ability to clone or code key fobs will be protected. What does that mean, in order to clone or code key fobs you will have to input credentials aka Locksmith or dealer credentials in order to use that function with a Autel, Snap on or any of the other tools that allow or have the ability to code keys/fobs.

It’s not going to work out that way with 100% of the tools out there capable of programming fobs. For example, the one that I use is an offline tool that can pull the PIN and program fobs for all FCA vehicles. There would need to be an update to this tool to lock it down like being described, but in order to do that, I would have to deliberately go on the manufacturer’s website and download the software update, and plug the tool into a computer to perform the update.
This will also do nothing to stop apps like JScan or alfaobd from being able to program fobs.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

So simple answer, No they can still do the relay attack. BUT they will have no way to clone key fob

Well, I guess that is a small improvement. Don't expect insurance to go down until the theft rates go down however...

 

[PuddleJumper]

debadging and garaging still feel like much better deterrents than this solution to me.

 

[Minty JL]

Yeah I have a 3 car garage and since I'm running it topless and doorless its in the garage at night.

Small improvements are still improvements........keep moving forward

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