I think the same technology might allow thieves remote use of paywave cards.
http://www.networkworld.com/article/2909589/microsoft-subnet/thieves-can-use-17-power-amplifier-to-break-into-cars-with-remote-keyless-systems.html > If you have a wireless key fob for a car with a remote keyless system, then > you might want to start keeping your keys in a freezer or other Faraday Cage > to protect it from high-tech thieves, who can use a $17 power amplifier to > break into your vehicle. > Cars with keyless entry systems are capable of searching for a wireless key > fob that is within a couple feet of the vehicle, but car thieves can use a > $17 "power amplifier" to boost the key searching capabilities, sometimes up > to around 100 meters, and pull off a high-tech car break-in. > After almost becoming a victim of a high-tech car heist again, Nick Bilton > over at The New York Times said he is now keeping the keys to his 2013 Prius > in the freezer. There had been a rash of mysterious car break-ins near his > Los Angeles address, including three break-ins to his own car; all cars > involved had remote keyless systems that come with a wireless key fob which > is used to unlock the doors and start the engine instead of using a physical > key. > > Recently, he was looking out his window and saw a girl hop off her bike and > pull out "a small black device from her backpack. She then reached down, > opened the door and climbed into my car." He ran outside and the girl split, > but he was curious about the black device she used to open his Prius. > > He called Toyota but got no useful info; the LAPD blew it off and told him > that he must have forgotten to lock his car. However, he scored when he found > a Toronto Canada Police public safety alert warning about "a spike in theft > of Toyota and Lexus SUVs" that left no signs of physical damage at any of the > crime scenes. > Finally, he got answers from Boris Danev, the founder of Switzerland-based > 3DB Technologies. The girl most likely used an inexpensive "power amplifier" > to break into Bilton's Prius. > > Mr. Danev said that when the teenage girl turned on her device, it amplified > the distance that the car can search, which then allowed my car to talk to my > key, which happened to be sitting about 50 feet away, on the kitchen counter. > And just like that, open sesame. > > "It's a bit like a loudspeaker, so when you say hello over it, people who are > 100 meters away can hear the word, ‘hello,' " Mr. Danev said. "You can buy > these devices anywhere for under $100." He said some of the lower-range > devices cost as little as $17 and can be bought online on sites like eBay, > Amazon and Craigslist. > > What's the best way to protect your vehicle if it has a keyless entry system? > The best way, Danev told Bilton, is to "put your keys in the freezer, which > acts as a Faraday Cage, and won't allow a signal to get in or out." -- Kim Holburn IT Network & Security Consultant T: +61 2 61402408 M: +61 404072753 mailto:[email protected] aim://kimholburn skype://kholburn - PGP Public Key on request _______________________________________________ Link mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
