Those so-called ‘smart keys’ may not be so clever at all it seems. The once-nifty keys are reportedly being exploited by some high-tech thieves who wirelessly manipulate the technology to break into vehicles. The age of the bent wire coat hanger is gone, and the tool of choice is now technological antennas.

According to Swiss researchers, the wireless transmitting of ‘smart key’ technology can be intercepted by thieves, who can then access the vehicle. Generally these clever keys must be within a couple of metres radius from the car. However researchers claim that this is not always the case, with testing of several vehicles revealing that the sensor technology can be tricked into thinking the key is nearby when it may actually be up to 100 metres away.

Alarmingly, the exploitation is not such a tricky feat either. ETH researchers who performed the tests were able to trick the technology via pair of antennas which transmit signals to both the car and the smart key, thus relaying the intercepted signals and tricking the vehicle’s inbuilt computer. The result? The doors open, the engine can be started, and the car can be driven away. Even more alarmingly, this dishonest scheme can cost thieves as little as $50 to coordinate, as compared to the cost of the “advanced” wireless system, which can cost up to $1000, or the smart key which can cost up to $500 to replace.

The increasing prevalence of these keys, particularly amongst luxury carmakers in newfound years means that this newly discovered loophole is concerning for all motorists, including drivers down under. Despite many manufacturers claiming to have integrated safeguards against these thieves, many people are re-evaluating the risk-benefit ratio of the technology.

Brands such as Hyundai and Suzuki assure buyers that their technologies integrate sufficient coding and security measures to counteract the possibility of electronic theft. Nonetheless, the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council claims that the fact the smart key system can be tricked at all, is concerning. Executive Director Ray Carroll claims, “In terms of us being worried about it as a means of car theft, we always try to put these new things that are emerging into perspective — 60 per cent of car theft in Australia is still of cars that don’t have an immobiliser.”

Highlighting that people will always find a way around new technologies, Carroll also claimed that “It’s almost like an arms race — you’ve got to keep investing and inventing new barriers in the knowledge that it won’t be very long before someone knows how to defeat that.

“We’re looking at threats from this new technical stuff but it really comes down to identifying it early enough for manufacturers to build in new safeguards.”

“So whilst it’s certainly an issue, it’s not the main game at this point.”