Mum-of-seven whose keyless car was stolen by hackers warns other owners to stash fobs in the MICROWAVE
Michelle Kenny had no idea thieves had been targeting dozens of models
A MUM-of-seven whose keyless car was snatched from her driveway as her family slept has warned other motorists to stash their hi-tech fobs in the microwave.
Michelle Kenny, 39, had no idea that thieves have been targeting dozens of models by hacking into the keyless systems, until her blue Ford S-Max was nicked over the Easter weekend.
Michelle, who has hip dysplasia and relied on the car, is now urging other motorists to protect themselves by putting their keys in the freezer or microwave overnight.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation has said the metal lining of the household items can block signals sent by hackers to unlock cars.
Criminals open cars using an amplifier that extends the unlocking signal up to 300 feet, reaching owner's fobs in their homes.
Michelle, of Coulsdon, south London, said: "I did not know anything about these cars being stolen.
"It was on the driveway, the car was locked and I have both sets of keys, I got up in the morning and it was gone."
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The thieves left no glass on the driveway or signs of a break-in leaving Michelle convinced she has been a victim of the sophisticated hack.
Calling for manufacturers to do more to alert buyers of the risks she added: "I think it's quite bad.
"There's nothing you can do to stop someone stealing it but if I had known about it I would have got a steering lock or some extra security.
"I think these car companies should let you know.
"I've heard if you keep keys in the microwave or in the freezer they can't hack them, which I did not know."
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Michelle is also concerned that hackers could have left with more than just her car.
"It's not just cars that are at risk it's contactless cards and passports and they can read all your information from that," Michelle added.
The Sun exclusively revealed that vehicles from 30 manufacturers, ranging from BMW to Peugeot, were unlocked and started using a simple hack in German tests.
Tests by the ADAC – the German AA – tricked the keyless sensor technology into thinking that the vehicle’s owner is nearby with the fob.
BMW 740, Ford Focus RS, Toyota’s Prius and VW Golf 7 GTD are among the car’s affected.
The only vehicle that the researchers failed to unlock was BMW’s i3.
But they were able to start the engine.
ADAC researchers say the the device used for the tests costs just £80.
A spokesman for the biggest motoring club in Europe said “The radio connection between keys and car can easily be extended over 100 metres, regardless of whether the original key is, for example, at home or in the pocket of the owner.”
They built two radio devices – an amplifier that must be placed near the victim’s keys, and a receiver that needs to be left near the car.
The radio near the car acts as the key and causes the car to unlock.
The device can work up to 90 metres away.
Research centre Thatcham has offered safety advice including turning fobs off if they have the capability or purchasing a metal lined sleeve to keep keys in.
The centre also recommended using tracking devices as a visible deterrent.
A Ford spokesman said: Ford takes vehicle security very seriously and we invest heavily in security solutions that are built into our vehicles to deter theft.
"Our team of security engineers and crime prevention specialists routinely monitors and investigates new ways thieves are targeting our vehicles to maintain our high level of deterrence.
"We are constantly learning more about the latest techniques thieves are using to gain access to vehicles, and whether there are additional enhancements we can make in our vehicles in the face of constant criminal activity to beat them."