Criminals have made finding new and more creative ways to steal modern cars their main priority, Toyota SA is currently recalling older models for security updates.
Toyota SA has hit back with new measures to protect its valued customers and the brand as a whole. Toyota mentioned that they have been working hard to gather intelligence on the various new methods used by criminals, especially cyberattacks that exploit a vehicle’s computer-controlled systems. Toyota has made it a priority to always be a step ahead, having studied methods used by criminals, the popular local automaker has introduced a number of enhanced upgrades. To ensure safety, Toyota did not divulge all details pertaining to these enhancements.
The rise in such crimes has partly been attributed to increased vehicle usage since businesses reopened after the Covid-19 lockdowns, as well as a new modus operandi on the part of criminals and syndicates, such as keyless access theft. The most common methods used by criminals include CAN attacks, fob relaying and a combination of forced entry and key cloning.
A CAN attack happens when a vehicle’s control area network is infiltrated using electronic equipment to gain entry and access the computer system to start the engine.
Fob relaying is achieved using high-tech receivers and transmitters to remotely read a vehicle’s security key while 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 clone its security key.
TSAM sales and marketing senior VP Leon Theron said, “We, as Toyota, are committed to developing safe and reliable vehicles and we will continue with our research and development to further enhance our vehicle security systems.”
Toyota also confirmed that new vehicles, as well as those arriving at dealers for servicing, will automatically receive these enhancements at no cost to the customer.
The affected vehicles are:
- 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
- Lexus RX and LX models from 2015.
