Aren’t you sick of social media challenges by now?

Social media clout car thieves known as the Kia Boys have been posting instructional TikTok videos showing how to steal Hyundai and Kia vehicles using a USB cable. The videos have resulted in hundreds of car thefts and 14 crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Hyundai and Kai cars made between 2015 and 2019 don’t ship with vehicle immobilizers which the Kia Boys took advantage of. The thieves would simply break-in the car by any means and bypass the ignition using USB cables. Vehicle immobilizers are standard equipment on other cars made during the time period, but Hyundai missed the beat here.

What’s Hyundai Saying?

Over 8 million vehicles are affected and Hyundai is offering free software updates to owners of the affected cars for free. The software update will require the key to be in the ignition in order to start plus some other additions. Here’s what Hyundai is saying about the updates:

The software upgrade modifies certain vehicle control modules on Hyundai vehicles equipped with standard “turn-key-to-start” ignition systems. As a result, locking the doors with the key fob will set the factory alarm and activate an “ignition kill” feature so the vehicles cannot be started when subjected to the popularized theft mode. Customers must use the key fob to unlock their vehicles to deactivate the “ignition kill” feature.

Vehicle owners should visit a Hyundai dealership as soon as possible to get the update. You can plug your VIN number in this website and check to see if your car needs the upgrade.