While these methods seem to pose huge security risks to your vehicle, there is actually quite a simple solution to protect your car: wrap your keys in tin foil. Wrapping your keys in this every-day household item will act as a barrier and ensure that the signal is not transmitted in a relay attack.
Your car waits for a signal from the fob and thieves can grab fob signals. Wrapping the fob in tinfoil decreases the strength of the signal and the range of the fob. This means you'll need to be closer to your car to start it. But it also means potential thieves can't steal the signal from an inconspicuous distance.
They then tested three vehicles and discovered that it's sometimes true that wrapping a key fob in aluminum foil kept the signal contained. They tested a Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru. For the Toyota, the wrapped fob wouldn't send a signal to the car, even when it was inches away.
By storing your car keys, fob or card in an aluminium tin (even grandma's old biscuit tins), or a special signal blocking box, the signal between the car and key is blocked. This means thieves can't intercept it and clone a new one. If you're out and about, then a Faraday pouch is your best friend.
Store the fob as far away as possible from the car and away from glass doors and windows. Or, buy an inexpensive RF-blocking box or pouch. It's lined with metal and will interrupt the signal.
Key jamming is a type of car theft where criminals use a device to block the signal from the owner's key fob, allowing them to steal the car without setting off the alarm.
Radio interference is a possible cause if the key fobs stop operating all of a sudden. Wireless devices such as radar detectors and anti-theft alarms can interfere with the key fob signals by transmitting at the same frequency. Most key fob issues have easy solutions.
Store your keys in a safe place, out of range of your car. Store your keys in an aluminium tin or signal blocking box when at home. Carry your key fob in a shielded wallet or Faraday pouch when out and about. Turn off your key fob's wireless signal, if applicable.
The figures from LV= show that luxury car makes such as Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes, Porsche and Tesla are increasingly affected by keyless theft, accounting for almost half (48%) of all 'theft of' vehicle claims.
“The average is just about six to 10 feet, depending on battery strength,” said Wentland. Thieves have found a way to use the fob to their advantage: a relay device that boosts your key fob signal from further away to start your car and drive away. Wentland says some vehicle manufacturers are making changes.
The aluminum foil will make it harder for them to grip the doorknob, and it will also create a loud noise if they try to turn it. This noise can alert you to their presence and give you time to call for help or defend yourself.
Store the key fob in an old-fashioned metal coffee can. “Really, some cyber experts don't go to sleep without putting their key into a metal container,” said Moshe Shlisel, a veteran of the Israeli Air Force and now CEO of GuardKnox Cyber Technologies. “It's called a Faraday Cage. You block the electromagnetic field.”
In the past, thieves found success using what's known as a relay attack. These hacks amplify the signal between the car and the keyless entry fob used to unlock and start it. Keyless fobs typically only communicate over distances of a few feet.
An increasingly prevalent method employed by thieves involves the use of relay devices. In this approach, one thief aims the relay device at the front door of a residence, where proximity keys are often left. The device then transmits the key's signal to an accomplice near the driver's door of the vehicle.
Wraps don't last as long
If you're looking to permanently change the way your vehicle looks, you might be more interested in a paint job. Vinyl wraps last between five and seven years with proper care, but paint jobs can last the life of your vehicle.
Keep your keys safe
Keeping your keyless fob in a drawer or hook in the hallway offers little protection against keyless car theft. You're best off putting your keys somewhere that can block the signal between your key fob and car. This will help prevent hackers from getting access to your vehicle.
The Chevrolet Silverado will be the most stolen car in 2023, with a 48% theft rate. The US car market has constantly changed over the last two decades, but car thieves remain. Silverado is one of the most targeted cars to steal because of its popularity and abundant supply.
While these methods seem to pose huge security risks to your vehicle, there is actually quite a simple solution to protect your car: wrap your keys in tin foil. Wrapping your keys in this every-day household item will act as a barrier and ensure that the signal is not transmitted in a relay attack.
How far can a keyless car drive without the key? Generally speaking, there's no limit to the distance a vehicle with keyless entry and start can go without the keyfob being in the car. The vehicle will often just beep without the key present.
By keeping the keys away from your front door, they're not able to get a strong enough signal to unlock the door. Additionally, it's suggested you store your key fob in a metal container with a lid, something like a cocktail shaker works great!
Can a lost key fob be tracked? Despite their high-tech nature, there's no way to track your key fobs out-of-the-box…