OBD Safe Device

Phil Russell · Dec 3rd, 2019, 16:55

We have had a message from local police concerning vehicle theft etc and suggesting that people fit an' obd safe device' that, I think, effectively bars any tampering with the obd port. Out of curiosity I have looked for information and generally failed, particularly when I included the term 'Volvo' in the title.
Does anyone know anything about these things?
Cheers, Phil

JRL · Dec 3rd, 2019, 18:06

https://www.google.com/search?q=OBD+...utf-8&oe=utf-8

Same principle as for blocking USB ports on PC's.

Tatsfield · Dec 4th, 2019, 11:12

Is this paranoia or a genuine weakness in my XC70's security? Also, if you want to fit Evgeny's latest tailgate closure dongle, which also does other useful things, you need the OBD port open to receive it.

RS3100 · Dec 4th, 2019, 13:51

It's not paranoia, but although a serious weak point on a lot of cars, to be honest a waste of time with a Volvo.

The breach works by allowing devices to access the immobiliser and key programming routines, and either code a new key or fool the car into thinking that a legitimate key is present. Due to Volvo security, they would also need to brute-force crack the CEM which would take a few hours minimum.

I'm retired now, but worked for the police dealing with vehicle thefts for many years. Never known a Volvo not fitted with keyless start to be started and driven without access to an original key, and although keyless start can be compromised it involves a different method to accessing the OBD port.

Things can change though. There are teams of hackers in eastern Europe and the far east in particular, who spend all their time working on bypassing vehicle security systems and manufacturing the kit to do it

apersson850 · Dec 5th, 2019, 15:13

A frequently used way to steal cars with keyless entry systems is to find out where the key is, use a transponder to forward that signal to another transponder, which is in the vicinity of the car.
This transponder chain will then make it look like the key is right outside the car, so you can unlock the door. In the next moment, you use it again to start the car.

To mitigate this, when the key is stored in the house, new cars frequently are equipped with keys that turn off their transponder, if they haven't moved for a while.
This doesn't help when the perpretator simply walks beside you, after you left the car, though.

Dec 3rd, 2019, 16:55	#1
Phil Russell Member Last Online: Mar 6th, 2022 09:29 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cambridge	OBD Safe Device We have had a message from local police concerning vehicle theft etc and suggesting that people fit an' obd safe device' that, I think, effectively bars any tampering with the obd port. Out of curiosity I have looked for information and generally failed, particularly when I included the term 'Volvo' in the title. Does anyone know anything about these things? Cheers, Phil

Dec 3rd, 2019, 18:06	#2
JRL Master Member Last Online: Aug 25th, 2022 16:37 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Derry	https://www.google.com/search?q=OBD+...utf-8&oe=utf-8 Same principle as for blocking USB ports on PC's. __________________ 2008 S60 D5 SE LUX

Dec 4th, 2019, 11:12	#3
Tatsfield Premier Member Last Online: Today 10:10 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Poole	Is this paranoia or a genuine weakness in my XC70's security? Also, if you want to fit Evgeny's latest tailgate closure dongle, which also does other useful things, you need the OBD port open to receive it. __________________ 2012 XC70 SE Lux Polestar 230 bhp D5 Auto Oyster Grey

Dec 4th, 2019, 13:51	#4
RS3100 Member Last Online: Today 08:37 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Europe	It's not paranoia, but although a serious weak point on a lot of cars, to be honest a waste of time with a Volvo. The breach works by allowing devices to access the immobiliser and key programming routines, and either code a new key or fool the car into thinking that a legitimate key is present. Due to Volvo security, they would also need to brute-force crack the CEM which would take a few hours minimum. I'm retired now, but worked for the police dealing with vehicle thefts for many years. Never known a Volvo not fitted with keyless start to be started and driven without access to an original key, and although keyless start can be compromised it involves a different method to accessing the OBD port. Things can change though. There are teams of hackers in eastern Europe and the far east in particular, who spend all their time working on bypassing vehicle security systems and manufacturing the kit to do it

Dec 5th, 2019, 15:13	#5
apersson850 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 21:40 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Traryd View Photos By: apersson850	A frequently used way to steal cars with keyless entry systems is to find out where the key is, use a transponder to forward that signal to another transponder, which is in the vicinity of the car. This transponder chain will then make it look like the key is right outside the car, so you can unlock the door. In the next moment, you use it again to start the car. To mitigate this, when the key is stored in the house, new cars frequently are equipped with keys that turn off their transponder, if they haven't moved for a while. This doesn't help when the perpretator simply walks beside you, after you left the car, though.

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