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A3/S3/RS3 vulnerable to wireless attack

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Old Oct 2, 2017 | 09:22 AM
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Default A3/S3/RS3 vulnerable to wireless attack

old news...i didn't take much stock in it until a buddy of mine just had his brand new lexus rx350 stolen off his driveway. no smashed windows. apparently thieves can just walk up to the car and extend the radio signal from the key inside your house to unlock and start it. so i looked up the audi and sure enough the A3 is on there. not sure if it needs to have the remote start option...there was none on my 2018 rs3. keep your cars inside the garage if you've got one! don't leave valuables inside your car!

THESE cars can be hacked in SECONDS - Do YOU own one of them? | Cars | Life & Style | Express.co.uk
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Old Oct 2, 2017 | 09:51 AM
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Hmmm, good point. For a RS3 that likely means they could potentially extend the signal to unlock the doors but not auto-start since it doesn't have that feature. So, when you come running up to see what the heck is happening, then they start the car and drive off (when you are in push button range)... Ugh...
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Old Oct 2, 2017 | 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Greyout
Hmmm, good point. For a RS3 that likely means they could potentially extend the signal to unlock the doors but not auto-start since it doesn't have that feature. So, when you come running up to see what the heck is happening, then they start the car and drive off (when you are in push button range)... Ugh...
I had always wondered about this. Wouldn't the car eventually kill the engine (or disable vehicle somehow) once it got out of range of the keyfob? If not, that would seem strange that someone could continue driving the car even w/o the key.
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Old Oct 2, 2017 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by vassili_z
old news...i didn't take much stock in it until a buddy of mine just had his brand new lexus rx350 stolen off his driveway. no smashed windows. apparently thieves can just walk up to the car and extend the radio signal from the key inside your house to unlock and start it. so i looked up the audi and sure enough the A3 is on there. not sure if it needs to have the remote start option...there was none on my 2018 rs3. keep your cars inside the garage if you've got one! don't leave valuables inside your car!

THESE cars can be hacked in SECONDS - Do YOU own one of them? Cars Life & Style Express.co.uk
The thieves have a device that does not extend the signal from the Key Fob. What they have is a capture device that they place close to the car. When the owner uses the Key Fob on the car, the device captures the signal too. Thieves then clone this signal on another compatible Key Fob and use that to steal the car.

In Audi's (this was discussed extensively by UK members of the A5 Owners Club Forum), thieves smash the window and plug into the OBD port. Hack into the ECU and retrieve the pertinent data to start and drive off with the car. This is the reason why OBD port locks are popular in Europe. In the US, some Owners resorted to relocating the OBD port. Not sure how it affects the car's warranty. But, OBD port hacking in North America is a rare occurrence.


Personally, I use a steering wheel club as a theft deterrent. It will not prevent car theft but it will discourage opportunistic thieves from targeting my vehicle. They will most likely just move on to an easier target. The 'CLUB' goes on every time I leave the car at home or anywhere away from home.

Last edited by plat27265; Oct 2, 2017 at 02:59 PM.
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Old Oct 2, 2017 | 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by vassili_z
old news...i didn't take much stock in it until a buddy of mine just had his brand new lexus rx350 stolen off his driveway. no smashed windows. apparently thieves can just walk up to the car and extend the radio signal from the key inside your house to unlock and start it...
I haven't been a fan of wireless anything that has to do with cars, since watching "Ghost Dog" back in 1999...@ 1:39 -

I guess I'll have to get another RFID blocking wallet for my keys now as well.
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Old Oct 2, 2017 | 08:26 PM
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Here is a method that thieves use to amplify your FOB signal....you can place your keys/FOB in an RFID bag to counter this method. This method only works if the the device is within the FOB's transmission range which can be quite extensive in open areas or wooden structures. Remember with Kessy/Advanced key options you do not need to press a command to open or start the car
Any wireless device can be hacked by professionals. Wireless is handy but has security issues and to be very honest if a professional thief really wants to steal your car, they will more than likely succeed, regardless of your security efforts.

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Old Oct 3, 2017 | 04:50 AM
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Originally Posted by plat27265
Personally, I use a steering wheel club as a theft deterrent. It will not prevent car theft but it will discourage opportunistic thieves from targeting my vehicle. They will most likely just move on to an easier target. The 'CLUB' goes on every time I leave the car at home or anywhere away from home.
wow, the club. lol, brings back memories. got one for my first car, a 98 jetta. problem was, even on the super hard and crappy jetta steering wheel, it was leaving marks cuz it was heavy. can't imagine the dents and scuffs to the rs3 soft leather/alcantara wheel. r there better, lighter ones now?
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Old Oct 3, 2017 | 06:22 AM
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If anyone uses a device for extra security, what is it? How many go with The Club, GPS tracking (ouch monthly fees), remote battery cutoff, or something else entirely?
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Old Oct 3, 2017 | 06:43 AM
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Originally Posted by vassili_z
wow, the club. lol, brings back memories. got one for my first car, a 98 jetta. problem was, even on the super hard and crappy jetta steering wheel, it was leaving marks cuz it was heavy. can't imagine the dents and scuffs to the rs3 soft leather/alcantara wheel. r there better, lighter ones now?
LOL maybe we can buy a carbon fiber one nowadays.
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Old Oct 3, 2017 | 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Greyout
If anyone uses a device for extra security, what is it? How many go with The Club, GPS tracking (ouch monthly fees), remote battery cutoff, or something else entirely?
Since I don't have a garage, I'm probably going to go with fuel line shutoff valve, and or battery/starter kill switch(es) (magnetically controlled).
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