Researchers Warn Of Keyless Clones

MIAMI (CBS4) - A popular feature on most recent model cars and SUVs could actually make them vulnerable to hackers and thieves.

Each year automakers try to out do each other by adding the latest in high tech to their lines. While remotes to lock and unlock doors are now passé, the next big thing appears to be keyless push button starters. Thanks to a high tech chip in the keyless remote, owners can push a button to start the vehicle without inserting a key.  This technology, however, could make the vehicle vulnerable to theft.

During their investigation, Swiss researchers were able to intercept the starter signals from keyless remotes in ten popular vehicles. After capturing the remote signals, they were able to use them to start the vehicle and drive off. They plan to present their full findings at a national conference next month.

Local auto theft specialists told CBS4's Chief Consumer Investigator Al Sunshine that they haven't seen the high tech problem here since there are so many low tech ways to steal a vehicle in one the nation's top auto theft areas of the country.