Relay theft is the latest method crooks use to get their hands on our cars. However, a simple way of protecting against it is to buy a Faraday Bag, otherwise known as a car key signal blocker. Find out what they are and whether you should consider buying one here.
How does a keyless car work?
Modern cars with so-called ‘keyless’ technology use a short-range radio signal to deactivate car locking systems when whoever has the key approaches. Once they’re inside the car, the signal from the key then deactivates the car’s immobiliser. This enables whoever has the key to drive off.
How relay theft works
Crooks use a trick known as relay theft to steal keyless cars. One sets up a receiver near to where the key is, say by your front door. When it’s receiving the signal from the key, it bounces this to a colleague with a device near the car. This fools the car into thinking the key is nearby. It unlocks itself and can be started and driven off. The whole process takes less than a minute if done by people who know what they’re doing.
What is a Faraday Bag or signal blocker?
A Faraday Bag is usually a bag lined with metal. You can make your own using a bag and lining it with tin foil. Alternatively, you could put your keys in a metal biscuit tin. This should do the same thing as a Faraday Bag. But proper products are so cheap – often less than £10 – it doesn’t really make sense to create your own.
What a Faraday Bag does
A Faraday Bag or signal blocker stops the key transmitting its signal. Simply put, the bag’s metallic lining prevents the signal escaping. It means no one can hack into the signal and nick your motor.
Make sure you test your signal blocker
Whether you buy a Faraday Bag or make your own, it’s vital to ensure it does what you want it to. Put the car key in it, approach the car and see if the doors unlock. If the key fob’s signal is being blocked they should stay locked. If it works, get into the habit of putting your car key in it as soon as you get home. Also, make sure your spare key lives in one.
Investigate your key
Car makers have got wise to relay theft and some now make keys that have built-in motion sensors. These don’t send out a signal when the key isn’t moving. Others make keys that you can turn off when they’re not required. Check your motor’s user manual to find out if your key has this function.
Think about a physical deterrent
As well as a Faraday Bag, you might consider buying a steering lock. The best ones are difficult for crooks to get off and should be sufficient to ensure they move on to a less well-protected target. Experts advise that you use a lock that covers the entire steering wheel and has been approved by Thatcham such as the Stoplock Pro. This is the insurance industry’s testing body.
FAQs
A Faraday pouch is effectively a metal mesh inside a fabric or leather bag, and the layers of metal absorb the electrons being sent out by the key, stopping or greatly reducing their emission, and thus giving would-be thieves no signal to clone.
Do Faraday bags work for car keys? ›
A Faraday pouch is effectively a metal mesh inside a fabric or leather bag, and the layers of metal absorb the electrons being sent out by the key, stopping or greatly reducing their emission, and thus giving would-be thieves no signal to clone.
Do car key blockers work? ›
The best way to protect your car is to block signals with a metal cage, and the simplest method is to use a Faraday bag. In effect, this hides the key and its coded information, which could be electronically copied to let a thief drive your car away.
Are key fob protectors worth it? ›
Anti car-theft
If your key fob operates on a keyless entry system, you're prone to car theft with relay equipment. However, some key fob covers have signal-blocking properties that significantly reduce the chances of keyless car theft by blocking key fob signals that hackers typically amplify to commit robberies.
Do Faraday boxes prevent car theft? ›
A Faraday pouch or box uses a metallic lining to block radio signals. After locking the vehicle, storing keys inside a Faraday device can prevent the signal being detected by thieves. Faraday pouches, boxes and tins are readily available and inexpensive.
What are the cons of Faraday bags? ›
Faraday bags are effective, but they can be compromised. If the bag develops holes or the material wears out, it can start allowing signals through. Some Faraday bags simply aren't any good out of the box.
Do police use Faraday bags? ›
These bags are used by law enforcement and military to maintain the integrity of forensic evidence during device seizure and transport, to protect information in secure facilities and to shield passports and IDs with a high level of data protection assurance.
How reliable are Faraday pouches? ›
This prevents thieves or hackers from accessing the RFID signals coming from the device. Are Faraday pouches 100% effective? Unfortunately, no. While they can block a significant amount of electromagnetic radiation, some signals may still be able to penetrate the pouch.
Where should I keep my car keys at night? ›
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.
Can a car be stolen with Faraday pouch? ›
A Faraday pouch is a simple but highly effective way of stopping thieves amplifying your key's signal. The pouch is lined with a conductive fabric mesh, which stops your car key fob's signals hitting the outside world once placed inside.
Signal blocking
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. Think of it like RFID blocking wallet to protect your credit cards from contactless theft. Simple, but highly effective.
Why should you wrap your car keys in foil at night when alone? ›
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.
What can I use instead of a Faraday pouch? ›
Cover every inch of the device in aluminum foil.
This is the simplest Faraday cage and should shield your device from low-energy everyday electromagnetic radiations like bluetooth, cellphone signals etc. For more protection, you can use more layers of plastic and foil. The foil is referred to as a conductive layer.
Should I use a Faraday bag? ›
The advantages of using Faraday bags are plentiful:
Enhanced Security: Faraday bags provide an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access, tracking, and hacking of your electronic devices, helping safeguard your personal and sensitive information.
Where is the safest place to keep car keys at home? ›
The safest place to keep car keys at home is as far from the front door as possible. This will reduce the risk of them being grabbed and, in the case of modern car keys, prevent the wireless signal from being easily amplified in a relay theft. Likewise, always keep fobs in RFID bags/Faraday cages when not in use.
What are car manufacturers doing about keyless theft? ›
Jaguar and Land Rover, meanwhile, use ultra wide-band radio technology, which stops thieves being able to isolate the signal to your car. Kia has also taken its own unique approach: previously announced it would provide a Faraday bag with every new car.
Do RFID pouches work for car keys? ›
Each pouch makes use of a Faraday cage and is combined with nanotechnology which blocks the RFID and NFC signals transmitted by your car's keyless entry fob and so prevents thieves from intercepting these signals and gaining entry into your vehicle.
What bags keep car keys safe? ›
Our faraday bags make your cars safe by stopping signals being sent or received by your key fob or any other device containing data. Remove your key from the faraday bag and signal reception is restored immediately, enabling normal usage.
Do Faraday cages work for key fobs? ›
Thwart car theft by using a Faraday vault pouch to store your key fobs. Slip your fob into one of our Faraday pouches and close it. You're done. You've protected your vehicle from theft.
