Car RFID Security System Cracked

jmichaelg writes "The NY Times reports that the security chip in new auto keys has been cracked. A team at Johns Hopkins have found a method to extract the 30 bit crypto key that tells your car that the physical key in the ignition switch is the correct key. Texas Instruments has sold some 150 million security chips that are stored in the car key. The devices are credited with reducing car thefts of some car models by 90%. Stealing a crypto key requires standing next to the victim and broadcasting a series of challenges to the key and capturing the responses. The team claims an iPod-sized device would suffice to steal the crypto key in under a second. They advise wrapping your keys in foil when you're not using them. TI admits the team has cracked their code but denies there's any problem."

Comments

Think this through

[Dancin_Santa]

Criminals are dumb. They never would have figured this out on their own. Really. They just want to get into a car and get it to a chop shop before the cops catch them.

By giving this information to the world, these researchers have made the security of the owners of these cars just a little more tenuous.

Thanks a lot, assholes.