Samsungis adding supportto their phones for digital car keys with the all-electric Genesis GV60.

A growing number of manufacturers are launching digital car keys, but there are risks attached.

“One of the biggest vulnerabilities is key cloning,” cybersecurity expertScott Schobertold Lifewire in an email interview.

Samsung digital car key

Samsung

“Cybercriminals can exploit an encryption flaw using a simple RFID transmitter.

d3sign / Getty Images

Other manufacturers are working on digital car keys, as well.

Samsung claims security was foremost in the design of its new keys.

person using mobile app device on smartphone to unlock the doors of her car in a car park

d3sign / Getty Images

The key uses Samsungs embedded Secure Element (eSE) to protect sensitive information and encryption keys.

No Such Thing as Unhackable?

But data privacy lawyerOdia Kagantold Lifewire in an email that preventing car hacks is a tough challenge.

women using smartphone to unlock car

sinology / Getty Images

“With new connected cars, there is both a will and a way.

One of the biggest vulnerabilities is key cloning.

Attackers can also use cars to get at information stored on the users phone, Kagan said.

“This is ripe ground for a lot of players including hackers, and nation-states.

The key uses RFID, which could be compromised to clone the key itself.

“In fact, car thieves are already doing signal capture-relay-replay attacks against wireless car key fobs.”

Clay recommends users keep digital car keys in a metal-lined pouch that doesnt allow signal capture attacks.

Schober has a more unusual suggestion to protect your digital key.