Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Kia
Teenagers breaking into Kias and Hyundai has become terribly common in the last few years, and it's all due to an infamous hack that went viral on social media.
You wouldn't normally expect such a dreadful idea to survive long, mainly because the carmakers and authorities would take prompt action to block the exploits and punish those involved, but this is so not what is happening right now in the United States.
The Kia Boys continue to hunt for unpatched Kias and Hyundais, and unfortunately, finding a sitting duck is worryingly easy. Hyundai's data shows that nearly 3 in 10 cars are still unpatched, as owners somehow don't see a reason to install the anti-theft update.
Authorities in Kingman, Arizona, claim they're seeing an increasing number of thefts targeting Kia and Hyundai models, with 80 such vehicles stolen in the last six months alone. This is a worrying trend in a region where car thefts have been scarce, but the Kia Challenge put a target on the back of Kias and Hyundais lacking immobilizers.
Local officials published recommendations specifically aimed at Hyundai and Kia owners, encouraging them to contact local dealerships to ask about the availability of security updates. If the software patch is not available, authorities say car owners should request carmakers anti-theft devices, which are typically ignition cylinder protectors or steering wheel locks. Hyundai and Kia are giving away the anti-theft hardware, and some customers are eligible for these devices if their cars can't get the software patch.
Authorities insist on fitting cars with systems that could keep the Kia Boys away or prevent them from stealing cars. For example, installing aftermarket alarm systems or tracking devices could help car owners prevent or recover vehicles stolen by the Kia Boys.
This isn't the first time officials have stepped in and provided public guidance to Hyundai and Kia customers, as the horrible trend that started three years ago shows signs of slowing down at a pace below expectations. Hyundai and Kia claim the anti-theft patch works, but considering that not everybody has installed it, the Kia Boys are still around, looking for vehicles that lack the update.
Law enforcement in other regions also offered similar recommendations, sometimes telling Hyundai and Kia owners to install AirTags that help them track vehicles if they get stolen. Apple's trackers are pilled-shaped devices that can be planted anywhere to communicate their location when connected to nearby iPhones. Thanks to a removable CR2032 battery, AirTags offers up to six months of battery per unit, so car owners can hide these devices in their vehicles and replace batteries every half of the year. GPS trackers and other devices that can communicate their location could also help recover a stolen vehicle.
The Kia Boys continue to hunt for unpatched Kias and Hyundais, and unfortunately, finding a sitting duck is worryingly easy. Hyundai's data shows that nearly 3 in 10 cars are still unpatched, as owners somehow don't see a reason to install the anti-theft update.
Authorities in Kingman, Arizona, claim they're seeing an increasing number of thefts targeting Kia and Hyundai models, with 80 such vehicles stolen in the last six months alone. This is a worrying trend in a region where car thefts have been scarce, but the Kia Challenge put a target on the back of Kias and Hyundais lacking immobilizers.
Local officials published recommendations specifically aimed at Hyundai and Kia owners, encouraging them to contact local dealerships to ask about the availability of security updates. If the software patch is not available, authorities say car owners should request carmakers anti-theft devices, which are typically ignition cylinder protectors or steering wheel locks. Hyundai and Kia are giving away the anti-theft hardware, and some customers are eligible for these devices if their cars can't get the software patch.
Authorities insist on fitting cars with systems that could keep the Kia Boys away or prevent them from stealing cars. For example, installing aftermarket alarm systems or tracking devices could help car owners prevent or recover vehicles stolen by the Kia Boys.
This isn't the first time officials have stepped in and provided public guidance to Hyundai and Kia customers, as the horrible trend that started three years ago shows signs of slowing down at a pace below expectations. Hyundai and Kia claim the anti-theft patch works, but considering that not everybody has installed it, the Kia Boys are still around, looking for vehicles that lack the update.
Law enforcement in other regions also offered similar recommendations, sometimes telling Hyundai and Kia owners to install AirTags that help them track vehicles if they get stolen. Apple's trackers are pilled-shaped devices that can be planted anywhere to communicate their location when connected to nearby iPhones. Thanks to a removable CR2032 battery, AirTags offers up to six months of battery per unit, so car owners can hide these devices in their vehicles and replace batteries every half of the year. GPS trackers and other devices that can communicate their location could also help recover a stolen vehicle.
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