Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2022 October 28

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October 28

Kia thefts

Not asking how to do it and my car is not a Kia, but there are news reports[1] about Kias getting stolen by that one weird trick Kia owners hate. When I saw the headline I thought "aha another stupid remote ignition or unlock vulnerability, they will never get it right, good thing I have an old beater with traditional mechanical locks". But then in the article itself, it seems to say that this vulnerability is against mechanically locked Kias.

Is there a reasonable simplified description of the type of attack? I don't want the specifics or links to them here (don't want to give idiots ideas)--general summary is fine. But, am wondering if owners of older cars in general should worry. I know later cars have engine lockouts in addition to the mechanical switch, to prevent hotwiring. I haven't worried about that since the steering column lock and the age of the car seems like enough. Thanks. 2602:24A:DE47:B8E0:1B43:29FD:A863:33CA (talk) 02:50, 28 October 2022 (UTC)

It seems to primarily effect vehicles with smart keys that do not have an immobiliser per Fortune. ––FormalDude (talk) 04:46, 28 October 2022 (UTC)

Ah, ok, thanks. It said something about steel keys which I figured meant ordinary mechanical keys. I will stop worrying, not that I was worried. 2602:24A:DE47:B8E0:1B43:29FD:A863:33CA (talk) 06:43, 28 October 2022 (UTC)