What appears to be a vulnerability in an automotive security system became a viral challenge in which teens show on TikTok how they steal Kia and Hyundai cars… only with a USB cable.
The “Kia Challenge” or “Kia Boyz” challenge shows how a car of these brands can be started using a USB cable instead of a key. The crime occurs in this way: someone breaks the window of a car and enters it; Obviously, the car alarm goes off, but The thief disassembles the lower part of the steering wheel, accesses the ignition system and with the cable manages to start the car and leave.
There have been signs of this type of theft since 2020, but it was in 2022 when they became much more frequent when the challenge became popular on TikTok, where you can find videos of young people committing crimes, or of people who were victims of thefts! twice!
But why is there this security vulnerability in these Korean car brands? The cybersecurity firm ESET indicates that is due to the lack of an engine immobilizera security mechanism that although the 2022 models of both Hyundai and Kia now include it, before it was only used by 26% of the vehicles of these two brands, despite the fact that in 2015 this was a standard measure in 96% of vehicle manufacturers.
This challenge to evade the car security system has become a very big problem in the United States, to the extent that in recent months 14 traffic accidents and eight deaths from these crimes have been reported.
In 2023, Hyundai released an update to its security system that will prevent cars from starting without an ignition key and extend the time the alarm goes off.
“In response to the increase in thefts targeting your vehicles without push-button ignition and immobilizer anti-theft devices in the United States, Hyundai is introducing a free anti-theft software update to prevent vehicles from starting during a theft method popularized on TikTok and other social media channelsHyundai said in a statement on February 14.
This software upgrade will be done free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealers. However, the automaker clarified that some 2011-2022 model year vehicles without engine immobilizers cannot accommodate the software update. “For these customers, Hyundai is finalizing a program to reimburse them for the purchase of a steering wheel lock stick.”
Until now, It is not known if this security flaw also affects Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold in Mexico.. Kia sold some 89,140 units nationwide in 2022, being the fourth best-selling brand in our country.
In fact, in 2022, the Kia Río was the best-selling vehicle in Mexico for the first time, with 50,958 units.
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