Digital car keys are slowly gaining popularity in Canada thanks to their convenience, flexibility, and advanced security features. However, despite the excitement, cybersecurity experts are expressing concerns about their ability to deter vehicle theft. So, do the advantages of this emerging keyless technology outweigh the drawbacks? We’ll explore how digital keys work, their benefits and downsides, and how effectively they protect your vehicle from thieves. That way, you can decide for yourself whether or not digital car keys are right for you.
What are digital car keys?
A digital key is a technology that allows you to lock, unlock, and start your vehicle using an app on your smartphone or another connected device. It replaces traditional physical keys and fobs. Most car manufacturers began incorporating digital keys as a standard feature or upgrade in their vehicles in 2020. Since then, the trend has accelerated, and more than 30 brands are currently available. Here’s a list of the car makes and models that utilize digital car keys.
How do digital car keys work?
Once you download the car manufacturer’s app onto your smartphone and register your vehicle, your digital key will pair with your car. Using wireless technology protocols enables the digital car key to communicate between the two. Gaining entry to the vehicle differs between car models. A digital key allows you to unlock your car simply by being near it. However, with some other models, you must hold your phone against the door handle. With all models, once you leave your vehicle, it automatically locks. To start your engine, place your phone in the location specified by your car manufacturer — usually the wireless charging tray — and push your vehicle’s start button. With some models, your car will start instantly.
Depending on your vehicle model, your digital car keys may allow you to:
- Adjust the seats and mirrors.
- Set speed limits.
- Fine-tune the radio and climate control settings with your digital key.
- Share access to your car with family and friends by sending them your key via email, text, or a messaging app.
How do digital car keys differ from fobs?
To help sort out some of the confusion about the differences between FOBs and digital car keys, we’ve created a chart to help explain:
Photo: isure.ca
Benefits of Digital Car Keys
1. Unlocking Your Car from Your Phone
If you have ever misplaced your car keys, one of the benefits of a digital car key is that your phone can easily unlock and start your car. Should you not be able to access your key fob easily, your phone can get the job done until you do.
2. Makes Lending Your Vehicle Seamless
If multiple people use your car, digital key functionality typically allows you to assign your digital key access. This can be to friends, family, babysitters, or whoever you want to give access to.
However, it is important to remember that with the added convenience of loaning your car out, you shouldn’t forget about insurance coverage. Your insurance provider needs to know who will be driving the vehicle the most, and who else will be on the policy. That is why you will need to determine who the primary and secondary users are.
Read our article to learn more about designating primary and secondary drivers on your policy.
3. More Secure
Digital car keys offer enhanced security compared to key fobs, which are vulnerable to relay attacks. This is because a digital car key uses a combination of Bluetooth and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, or NFC technology. This creates a more secure connection between the car and the user’s phone.
In addition, digital car keys also:
- Effortless monitoring while you are away.
- Remote start your car from anywhere.
- Multiple users can use the feature at the same time.
Downsides of Digital Car Keys
1. Loss of Your Phone
Most drivers can remember a time when they misplaced their cell phone for a minute or two. It is an agonizing feeling when you realize that most of your life is tied to your device: bank accounts, credit cards…and now your vehicle. If you lose your phone away from home, you will be rendering yourself unable to drive or call for help.
2. Phone Battery Dies
One of the advantages of digital car keys over a traditional FOB is that the batteries in the FOB could die. Should you be unable to charge your phone, you won’t be able to drive, either.
3. Stolen Phone
A stolen phone may mean access to your bank accounts, and now your vehicle. Car manufacturers have put layers of security in place to ensure that someone who shouldn’t have access to your phone won’t necessarily be able to drive without proper authorization.
Hacking Your Phone with Digital Car Keys in Place
As with most digital networks, having someone hack your phone is a valid concern. Automakers have their security measures in place for contactless key systems, but here are some additional ways to protect yourself:
Keep your smartphone secure. Use strong, unique passwords or biometric authentication methods to secure your phone. Fingerprint or facial recognition are trusted ways to unlock your phone. Update your software often to make sure you have the latest security patches.
Beware of phishing attempts. Exercise caution if you encounter any suspicious emails, links, or requests for personal info. Always verify the authenticity of the source before sharing any sensitive information.
Be mindful of your surroundings. Smartphones are still common targets of physical theft. This can give thieves access to your digital key. Be aware of your surroundings and keep your phone secure at all times.
Enhance your security. If possible, enable 2-factor authentication to add an extra verification step before the digital key grants access. Similar features that provide another layer of protection can help keep your digital key secure.
Setting up biometric locks or using a strong password. As an added safety precaution, you can deactivate your digital key remotely should you lose your smartphone.
Are digital car keys a good idea?
Digital keys provide better overall security thanks to advanced communication technologies, such as UWB and BLE, compared to standard key fobs. Still, a digital key isn’t foolproof, much like any device that relies on wireless technology. Recently, UK security researchers discovered a way to unlock Tesla vehicles through a Bluetooth relay attack. A criminal armed with the right tools and skillset could do the same theoretically. However, there are no documented cases of successful attempts so far. Digital keys have several advantages, including convenience and flexibility. Some drivers won’t like being so dependent on a mobile device to operate their car, while others may find it helpful. Ultimately, the decision to use a digital key will come down to your personal preference.
Speak with your isure representative today to discuss whether or not digital car keys affect your current car insurance premiums. They can also help you to designate primary and secondary drivers on your policy if needed.
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