Can Flipper Zero be used to hack wireless car keys?
There is a lot of buzz about the hacking tool Flipper Zero and what it can do. If you are still unaware, this article is for you detailing some important features of this tinny gadget. Like, if it can be used to hack car keys? Read on to know more.
If you are a regular on social media platforms, you might be in the know of this portable hacking tool Flipper Zero. The surge in popularity of the Flipper Zero can be attributed to TikTok. Yes, this compact device has the potential to inflict significant harm in the hands of individuals with the requisite expertise. It is being referred to as a physical version of the Swiss army knife of hacking in the world of technology. There is no doubt that it is going to make people more aware of cyber security. Flipper Zero was causing quite a stir on the internet, to say the least, because of what some people could do with it. Let's dig out more about it.What is Flipper Zero and What Can It Do?
The small device garnering attention for all the right and wrong reasons features an adorable dolphin-themed monochrome display on its tiny frame. As a multi-tool device for geeks, Flipper Zero redefines what it means to be small but mighty. The success of this portable hacking device is largely due to its complex capabilities. Featuring a variety of sensors and radios, this gadget can detect and replicate signals from keyless systems and garage openers to NFC and RFID cards. The compact and portable device makes it convenient for testing, learning, and exploring different aspects of hardware and software security.
Nevertheless, despite its playful appearance, this device harbors significant potential of breaching access control systems, manipulating radio protocol, and interfacing with infrared devices commonly found in bank cards, public WiFi networks, and mobile phones.
It also comes with an infrared transceiver that can receive and transmit IR codes for controlling things like TV. It can be programmed to operate many devices including AC. In addition, the Flipper Zero is equipped with GPIO connectors on the top, enabling it to be connected to real-world gadgets. Can Flipper Zero Be Used to Hack Car Keys?
The rise in vehicle theft cases may be a matter of concern for many countries and their local authorities. Many individuals harbor concerns and apprehensions regarding the theft of their vehicles with the help of this tiny device. However, not all thieves use this device for stealing cars yet it is being banned in many countries including Canada. It is also important to note here that Amazon also prohibited its sale on its platform less than a year ago tagging it as a restricted product.
Since its introduction, users have demonstrated the capabilities of Flipper Zero, showcasing its ability to activate doorbells, perform replay attacks to unlock cars, open garage doors, and clone various digital keys. But the important thing is can Flipper Zero be used to hack car keys?
Much misinformation circulates regarding its capabilities, largely fueled by sensational and frequently staged videos on platforms like TikTok and other social media channels.
Certain videos purportedly demonstrate the Flipper Zero's ability to remotely unlock a car. Some of these clips even provide instructions on programming a Flipper Zero to mimic the signal of the car's key fob, a process that requires proximity to the fob and signal capture. There is however a lot of work involved in getting this hack to work. Nowadays, auto systems unlock cars remotely by using constantly changing rolling codes, rather than fixed ones.
In other words, you can only unlock a car once with a rolling code from the key fob. As long as a Flipper Zero captured the signal, the code would already be expired. The theft would require a car thief to jam the radio signals from a key fob along with capturing the rolling code from Flipper Zero. It is very difficult to accomplish this task and requires a lot of expertise to hack these rolling codes.
It could indeed open an older model from the 90s. The Flipper Zero gives a hypothetical attacker few options when they are trying to steal a vehicle with it. Indeed, there are still some old cars in circulation but they are no longer as attractive to buyers as modern vehicles and generally, they do not sell as well as more modern cars.
Flipper Devices COO Alex Kugalin has reiterated that modern cars are way more capable of thwarting simple attacks that this device can make. "Flipper Zero can't be used to hijack any car, specifically the ones produced after the 1990s, since their security systems have rolling codes. Also, it'd require actively blocking the signal from the owner to catch the original signal, which Flipper Zero's hardware is incapable of doing," Kugalin said because of the Canadian government banning the device.Bottom Line
In the end, we can say that this security concern is based on a bit of misinformation. Designed for security testing and development, Flipper Zero is protected by necessary precautions to prevent nefarious use. Moreover, it is very difficult to code to accomplish those nefarious acts. There is nothing to worry about and it's a lot of fun for its users. While it's capable for some of the applications, the majority of users are unlikely to explore those functionalities in depth.
Thank you for the information, Ankit. Can it be bought in India? I recently come across a website https://www.joom.com/geek/en/search/f.brand.tree.631727d3aaa834db2f503a5b to buy it officially in India, but not sure about it being a trust worthy website.