Not having to use a key to get into your car is quite convenient. But, of course, you'd rather it if you were the only one who could jump into your ride without turning a key and then driving off.
Unfortunately, that is not the case. Automakers have made it easier for thieves to make away with your precious vehicle by means of equipment readily available on the cheap online.
Keyless entry works by your car being able to detect when your key is near. You don't even have to get it out of your pocket, just open up, get in, push a button and head wherever.
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Criminals, though, can do pretty much the same by using relay boxes to lengthen the signal produced by your key, tricking your car into thinking (so to speak) that you're nearby.
According to British consumer group Which?, four out of five of the best-selling keyless entry cars in the UK can be stolen via this method.
Additionally, ADAC (German General Automobile Club) has discovered that 230 out of 237 keyless cars tested could be tricked into thinking that keys are closer than they are.
The Ford Fiesta, VW Golf, Nissan Qashqai and Ford Focus are all among very popular models which are susceptible to such vulnerabilities and they actually accounted for more than a quarter of the million new car registrations in the UK last year.
The Fiesta, Golf and Qashqai failed ADAC's tests but the latest Ford did not. However, Ford has admitted that their C-segment hatch is not safe from such high-tech attacks.
Even more shockingly, stats show that more than one vehicle is being stolen every seven minutes across England and Wales. Thieves can also make off with them in just 18 seconds.
The cars that could not be unlocked or started using a relay box all belonged to Jaguar Land Rover, specifically the Discovery, Range Rover and i-PACE.
The company used ultra-wide-band (UWB) technology for the key fobs, which can determine the distance between the actual key and the car rather accurately.
Mercedes and BMW have also taken additional safety measures as of late, adding motion sensors into their key fobs to keep them from producing signals while the key is in a stationary position.
The situation isn't that hopeless for users of vulnerable keyless cars, however. One can simply lock his/her key in a metal case whilst at home in order to block potential signal hacks.