Will a Tin Foil-Wrapped Key Deter Car Thieves?
Keyless tech and key fobs have ushered in convenient ways to get into and start your car, but the advanced technology has unwittingly given thieves another more tech-advanced and less labor-intensive way to steal your car.
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“Using signal boosters, criminals can amplify your key fob’s signal in what’s known as a ‘relay attack.’ The car thinks the key is nearby, even if it’s actually sitting somewhere deep inside your home, allowing thieves to drive off in your vehicle without ever triggering an alarm,” reports Huffington Post writer Casey Bond.
To block your key’s vulnerable signal, auto experts have suggested interesting methods such as wrapping your car’s key in tin foil or stashing your keys in the microwave or fridge.
Although inventive, these methods don’t seem plausible according to Bond, who notes that car manufacturers are already developing systems to thwart thieves from accessing your keys’ signal. Until your car’s tech can outrun a thief, there are measures you can take now to help ensure your car isn’t vandalized or stolen by a thief.
“There are ways to block your key’s signal that don’t involve wrapping up your key like an old sandwich. After all, tin foil has been proven to dampen your key fob’s signal, but doesn’t completely block it since the material lacks density,” according to Bond.
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Jake McKenzie, content manager at Auto Accessories Garage, told Bond that a more effective way to protect your key’s signal is by using a Faraday bag, which will block your key’s RFID signal.
News Source: Huffington Post
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