Social media can be a force for good – and evil. Circulating on TikTok is information on how some Kia and Hyundai models can be stolen alarmingly easily.

The ‘key’ is a readily available USB cable.

Affected vehicles include Kia models from the years 2011 to 2021 and Hyundai models from 2015 to 2021.

“It represents a lot of cars and ... it’s going to affect a lot of people,” tech expert Val Quinn told Seven News.

“What you’ll see in the pictures (from TikTok) is you have to remove the steering column, rip it off and then a USB cable can be used to fiddle with the ignition stuff underneath to start it up, so it’s the right fit for a certain part of that ignition.

“I read the statements from Kia and Hyundai and they basically said, ‘We’re aware of it ... but if you have any questions, contact us’, so they are not really offering any solutions at all, which is pretty concerning.”

Reports of the online TikTok ‘challenge’ have become increasingly common in the US.

Mr Quinn says there’s a simple solution.

“The real key is, if your car has an immobiliser, then it won’t work.

“These cars that are earlier don’t come with immobilisers as standard, (but) you can get an aftermarket immobiliser if you are really concerned.”

Do you find it disturbing what can be legally circulated on social media?