In South Africa, criminals are employing these latest high-tech tactics to steal automobiles

Toyota is delivering free security upgrades to South African drivers in an effort to combat growing levels of luxury car theft in the nation by tech-savvy thieves.

Toyota stated that local automotive intelligence has discovered that criminals are now targeting high-end and luxury automobiles with keyless or smart entry systems and emergency start capabilities.

The group found three primary techniques for thieves in the nation to obtain access to and steal automobiles with these capabilities.

“The rise in these crimes has partly been attributed to increased vehicle usage since businesses re-opened after the Covid-19-induced lockdown, as well as a new modus operandi on the part of criminals and syndicates, such as keyless access theft,” it said.

While this situation impacts all automobile manufacturers and car models, Toyota South Africa stated that it has been performing substantial research and development into the upgrading of its vehicle security systems.

The group’s research and development team discovered that criminals are using very sophisticated cyber-attacks to hack the vehicle’s computer-controlled systems.

These attacks include CAN Attacks, Fob Relaying and a combination of Forced Entry and Key Cloning.

• The CAN Attack happens when the vehicle’s Control Area Network is infiltrated using highly sophisticated electronic equipment to gain entry and then access the computer system to start the engine.
• Fob Relaying is achieved using high-tech receivers and transmitters to remotely read the vehicle’s security key whilst in the possession of the owner, thereby allowing the attacker to unlock and start the vehicle.
• The third, a combination of Forced Entry and Key Cloning, is executed using advanced techniques and equipment to disable the vehicle’s alarm system and then cloning its security key.

Toyota stated that it has now devised a number of steps to prevent theft of Toyota and Lexus-branded vehicles in South Africa.

“These enhancement measures have already been shared with the Toyota dealer network through a series of practical online sessions and bulletins. In addition, the enhancements have also been reviewed and evaluated by VSS Administration – an independent South African organisation that specialises in vehicle security and automotive systems,” the group said.

Toyota customers who possess specific models can take them to their local dealership beginning in the first week of December for security upgrades.

According to the organisation, all new cars, as well as those brought in for service, will automatically receive these upgrades. Customers will not be charged for any of these services, according to the company.

Qualifying vehicles include:

• Hilux Legend models from 2019;
• All Fortuner models from 2016;
• Land Cruiser Prado (VX and VXL models from 2017);
• All Land Cruiser 200 with Smart Entry,
• Land Cruiser 300 and
• All Lexus RX and LX models from 2015.