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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."
No problem? Come again?
Good thing I always keep my keys wrapped in tinfoil.
The difference between spam and poop is that you don't have to dig through septic tanks looking for real food. -- Me
I have an excuse for the tiny tin foil hat or my car key.
Folks there is nothing to worry about, nothing to see here-OH MY GOD WHERE IS MY CAR?
nice, now I wonder what the team did with the ipod device... I sure hope they're not around my house, near my car which has the encryptic device... oh wait!!! Ahhh! Got 2 go...
You know the world's coming to an end when a team of security experts from a respected institution advises wrapping your car keys in tinfoil so the Bad Guys can't intercept the secret signal!
That's it. I'm no longer part of Team Sanity.
Someone made 150 million of them!
Does this mean I might no longer have to pay the dealer $80 each for duplicate Honda Odyssey keys? Because that would be nice.
p
In Korea, long hair is for old people!
Dude, where's my car?
paintball
They probably gave in to pressure from the NSA, which didn't want the encryption to be too hard to break. Those NSA folks like to joyride.:)
I'm already wearing a tin-foil hat, and it has a hidden inside pocket. Voila, problem solved!
no that's just stuff that happens randomly when you buy a Saturn.
Snowden and Manning are heroes.
Fortunately for me, my sig is RFID enable... oh crap.
First, it was suggested that you wrap your newfangled passports in tin foil. Now it's car keys. I guess it's time for Calvin Klein, Gucci, DKNY and other designers to release their line of tin-foil clothing. Or how about clothing with pockets reinforced with tin foil?
/me runs off to patent office.
Wait, that sounds like a profitable idea.
the old method requires you stand next to the person with the key and hit them on the head with a shovel.
more effective, but not as 1337.
Where's Robin Hood? We could kinda really use him now.
If it ever says, 'Hello, Dave.' I think you ought to be a little worried.
Otherwise, cool.
"The team claims an iPod-sized device would suffice to steal the crypto key in under a second."
Is that the 40GB iPod, 20GB iPod, iPod Mini or iPod shuffle?
Who knew chewing gum could actually provide an additional benefit?
:)
MacGyver did.
love slashdot. populate it. use it. abuse it. hate it. kill it. miss it. stop following links, they only kill servers.
Nice key but obviously crap at opening delivery boxes - not a good marketing feature for a geek!!
AT&ROFLMAO
Coming soon to a Pocket PC near you!
On the plus side, TI can file John Doe lawsuits against the thieves (for DMCA violations, of course) if your car is stolen.
It's not car theft. It's car infringement. What? He didn't leave you a copy? Well, I guess it is theft after all.