3 Ways to Protect Keyless Car Fobs - wikiHow (2024)

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3 Ways to Protect Keyless Car Fobs - wikiHow? ›

Wrap your key fob in aluminum foil when you're not using it.

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.

If you were to wrap your key fob in a few sheets of foil, especially very thick foil, then its RFID signal wouldn't be able to get out. While that does mean you'd need to take the fob out of the foil every time you want to use it, it also means that a bad actor wouldn't be able to intercept and co-opt its signal.

The single most important tip is that car consumers should always store their key fob in a metal container or a metal wire bag often called a Faraday cage that prevents the key fob from communicating with hackers, Shlisel said. Anytime it's just sitting on a table or carried in a pants pocket, it can be hacked.

“Faraday pouches” are the most popular way to protect key fobs from RFID attacks. These cloth pouches are lined with a layer of metal, usually aluminum, that acts as a Faraday cage and attenuates the RF signals that the fob sends and receives.

The most efficient prevention method here is to rely on specialized RFID signal-blocking pouches, wallets, boxes, or Faraday bags for safe storage. RFID key pouches significantly lower the risk of key fobs and tags being cloned by blocking all RFID transmissions that are not initiated by the rightful owners.

In the Potted Plant:Storing car keys in a potted plant at home is often considered the safest place to keep car keys at home. It provides a discreet and unexpected hiding spot, blending seamlessly with your decor while keeping keys accessible yet secure.

Blocking Signals from Your Fob

Tear off a sheet of foil that's 6 in (15 cm) long or large enough to cover your fob with 1 layer of foil so it's as airtight as possible. Fold the fob into the foil or set the fob on the foil and bunch it together at the top for easier access.

In principal, yes, any metal box can be a Faraday cage. But it will need to be free of any gaps or holes and have a tight seal.

Why do people wrap their car keys in foil at night? ›

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.

Some online users believe that the sound of crinkling foil will wake you up and alert you to a break-in, while others suggest that it's much harder to pick a lock when a doorknob is covered in foil. However, I can't see how a determined thief will let either of these things stop them.

With a single slice of foil ~18"x12" held in front of the sensor, the badge is read at ~1" (a noticeable reduction in signal). With the foil folded in half and the badge in the fold so that it forms a single layer on both sides of the card, it was effective (could not read the badge).

The keyless car theft epidemic isn't just constrained to high-end vehicles, though. The Ford Fiesta holds the unwanted title of being the most stolen car, with almost 6,000 being taken last year, according to the DVLA.

Obvious damage like broken windows and signs of forced entry often indicate a thief has gained access to your car. Some more subtle signs your car has been targeted include marks made with chalk, markers, or gum, as well as moved wing mirrors. Report any suspicious activity to the police.

USE A SIGNAL BLOCKER

A simple but effective way to stop auto bandits from purloining your key fob signal is to use a Faraday bag or pouch. They're lined with a conductive metal mesh that blocks the transmission of electromagnetic signals. The pouches aren't expensive, and you can also get boxes that do the same thing.

If you have a 'keyless entry' car, then make sure your keys are kept well away from doors and windows. Keep your car key in a screened box/tin/bag so that the signal can't be 'grabbed' from the outside and used to open your car – and don't forget to do the same with any spare set!

However, simply dropping your keys into a biscuit tin may not provide you much in the way of protection when it comes to blocking your car key signal. It might also crush your biscuits. To make a homemade Faraday cage/box more effective, you need a container made of some sort of alloy (rather than tin).

Your car key fob can suffer from daily wear and tear, including scratches, dents, and cracks. This damage can compromise its function and even render it useless. A key fob cover provides a protective layer that shields it from these damages.

Yes, it is possible to lock your keys in the car even if it has a keyless entry. If you have ever accidentally left your key fob in the car and shut the door, you know this can happen. The best way to avoid locking your keys in the car is to always check that you have your key fob with you before leaving the car.