Suspected criminals use new technology to steal Kia cars without breaking windows

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) – There’s new technology on the market that makes it easier for suspected thieves to steal Kia vehicles.

This is a small, portable device that can steal the signal when you open your car with your key, allowing thieves to open your car later.

It will only take a few seconds.

Kia owners and owners of cars manufactured before 2009 are most at risk.

Cybersecurity expert Paul Sems of Trustedsec knew exactly what the device was. He even had one.

“We live in terrifying times,” Sems said.

Sems said the devices hit the market about four years ago.

“It’s not surprising that they’re already using them for these reasons,” Sems said. “When they first came out, these devices were actually banned by some countries and they said, ‘Hey, we’re going to have import restrictions and we’re not going to allow them,’ but the truth is, if someone really wants to make one of these, they can make one from off-the-shelf parts.”

However, these devices are legal in the United States.

“The same thing goes for a lockpicking kit. If you’re a locksmith, you can buy locksmith tools,” Sems said. “If you’re a private citizen, you can buy locksmith tools. As soon as you use that device to commit a crime, it becomes a criminal tool.”

For someone to steal your signal, they must be within about 30 feet of you when you open your car with your key.

“It’s literally an FM or AM radio signal,” Sems said. “It’s just on a certain frequency, and there are known frequencies that remote controls work on. It’s kind of like pressing an old tape recorder, listening to what’s on, rewinding the tape and pressing play.”

Sems said if your key isn’t working, it could be a sign someone is trying to steal your signal.

“Automakers need to do more to provide higher levels of encryption,” Sems said. “Spend a few dollars more to make sure they have better encryption. There are known vulnerabilities in them, and people are exploiting them.”

There is little car owners can do to prevent this type of theft other than paying attention to their surroundings when opening their car.