BMW 'powerless' to stop car hack thefts

[SubLoaded]

In e-mails to a customer seen by the UK's Daily Mail, the German giant acknowledged its latest keyless models are vulnerable to thieves using gadgets widely available online.

However, it insisted it cannot accept any responsibility for this.

The Mail has highlighted a surge in thefts using ‘relay boxes’ to extend the signal from owners’ key fobs to steal vehicles outside their homes.


BMW admitted its ‘comfort access’ cars can be stolen in this way but said that while such thefts were "extremely regrettable… we cannot take responsibility".

It insisted they were an "act involving the highest level of criminal energy", adding that "BMW is powerless against criminal mechanism".

The comments were made to a customer from Surrey whose keyless car was stolen from his driveway.

West Midlands police and crime commissioner David Jamieson said: "BMW’s attitude towards this driver is arrogant and outrageous."

Mike Hawes, of the industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: "Manufacturers are investing billions in ever more sophisticated security features.

"However, technology can only do so much and we continue to call for action to stop the open sale of devices which help criminals."

BMW said it works "constantly" to design the best security systems, adding: "We also work in partnership with police and other authorities in responding to the latest threats."

--Source

 

[MikeR]

mgwaiting: and why should they worry - the more cars stolen - the more they sell. its a win win for them. :dunnoanymore:

 

[922-ZN]

What was wrong with a normal fucking key?

 

[TurboLlew]

People will complain if their car cannot remotely locate itself, doesn't have app features, comfort access, self closing doors etc etc...who didnt see this kind of thing coming? it's an inevitable evolution of remote jamming. Few years ago there was outrage about some cars being able to be stolen in <10 minutes. Cars not "double locking" by default, not using rolling codes etc... Big noise from papers and then 2 weeks later nobody cared. We are living in a different world and tech arms races between the underworld and the rest of us are getting insane... look at the tech involved in eg rhino poaching (poaching and combat)

 

[Ratslaaf]

This is a weakness of comfort access technology. The article doesn’t state it, but any brand using this tech is vulnerable. I saw a video of a merc being stolen like this the other day. You, as customer, have the choice not to opt for comfort access. This way you are not exposed to this specific weakness.

I don’t see why the manufacturers are to blame. When such systems were developed such a loophole wasn’t anticipated. It’s a pretty creative way of defeating the security.

 

[CK4LIFE]

I have Comfort Access.. I always have to double check with my rear doors each time I lock it as the front ones unlock when you touch the handles..

 

[JG_RSA]

^
Comfort Access really messes with your head if you have OCD and one of the things you have to do is triple check that the car is locked...

 

[BeemerFanatic]

I just look at the drivers button to see that it’s down and also check for the blinking red light on the rear view mirror

I’m so used to comfort access. Key is permanently in my pocket when I use my car.

 

[Bavarian1]

This reminds me of this [video=youtube]