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Faraday bags can prevent thieves from cloning the key’s signal to steal your pride and joy
by: Dave Pollard
2 May 2023
9
Although manufacturers are taking steps to make keyless-entry vehicles more secure, many models remain vulnerable to technically adept thieves.
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.
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It makes sense to always use a Faraday bag when the car is on your driveway or in a garage, but also when you’re away from home, because thieves often operate in car parks.
A Faraday bag can also be used to block phone hackers, keep credit cards private or even protect your digital passport.
How we tested them
To test quality, we inserted and removed a key multiple times, looking for signs of poor stitching, which can lead to electronic gaps that could see a signal picked up. Using various keys, we checked that it stopped locking, unlocking and working the car’s functions.
Where appropriate, we used an app to check cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth signals were being blocked. The final factor was prices and, in many cases, bags are sold in pairs, making it easier to protect the key in use as well as a spare or a phone.
Verdict
A twin-pack price, phone-size versatility, great performance and high build quality kept the Defender at the top. While the bags from Halfords and Olixar couldn’t match that combination, either would be a good choice if you want a smaller, key-only option.
- Defender Signal Blocker
- Halfords Car Key Signal Blocker
- Olivar RFID Signal Blocking Pouch
Reviews
Defender Signal Blocker
- Price: around £6 (two-pack)
- Contact: defendersecurityproducts.co.uk
- Rating: 5 stars
The Defender remains as well made as ever, but is now available as a twin-pack at a great price, which is the same as a single bag in the last test.
The key was successfully isolated and all signals were blocked on the phone. It easily took the smaller handset, but the larger one was a bit of a squeeze. It was possible to get theS10e phone and a key in at the same time, but not the S20.
With two bags per pack, one could be used for the key and the other a phone. There’s a small, non-protected compartment at the front for small items like tickets.
Halfords Anti-Theft Car Key Signal Blocker
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- Price: around £5
- Contact: halfords.com
- Rating: 4.5 stars
We like the tough, high- quality feel of the bag’s textured polyester. It’s claimed to suit 99 per cent of key fobs and ours fitted, along with three credit cards that slotted into the protected front section.
Although not large enough for our phones, it worked well on our keys and could also be used with signal-based items such as smart watches, USB sticks and garage remotes.
We are also impressed by the two-year replacement guarantee, which shows Halfords’ confidence in the product.
Olixar RFID Car Key Signal Blocking Pouch
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- Price: around £5
- Contact: mobilefun.co.uk
- Rating: 4.5 stars
Almost the same size as the Halfords bag, the Olixar is finished in leatherette and is also available in a carbon fibre-effect finish at £5.99.
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A small chain and loop can be pulled from the bag for keys if needed. Designed solely for a key, it easily took ours and blocked the signals from the car.
We like the second metal-surrounded compartment at the front, which is ideal for credit card protection. It’s this that gives it an edge over similarly priced alternatives.
Krutz Anti-theft Signal Blocking Pouch
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- Price: around £8 (two-pack)
- Contact: amazon.co.uk
- Rating: 4 stars
This is another bag supplied in a pack of two, which brings the individual price to the second lowest on test and makes it easy to protect a spare key.
Uniquely, it doesn’t use Velcro to close the bag, but two pop studs that make for a secure fastening. It worked well with the remote keys, but has no separate compartment.
We like the vinyl faux-leather construction, which feels solid enough to cope with daily use, and as with the Olixar, it is fitted with a short chain and key ring.
Disklabs Phone Shield Faraday Bag PS1
9
- Price: around £21
- Contact: fonefunshop.com
- Rating: 4 stars
The larger of the two Disklabs offerings is well constructed and has a high-quality feel. We like the see-through rear compartment that’s handy for tickets, while the neat tab at the end of the sealing flap makes it easy to open.
Disklabs is the only company here to have the official police Secured by Design accreditation, so we weren’t surprised when the car keys were totally blocked, as were both of our smartphones.
It is possible to squeeze a phone and key inside, but the biggest problem is the price.
Olixar RFID Signal Blocking Pouch For 6.8” Phones
9
- Price: around £11
- Contact: mobilefun.co.uk
- Rating: 3 stars
Olixar’s bag is designed with phones in mind, although it worked well to protect a key as well. The size was large enough to swallow the Samsung S20 and it blocked all incoming signals.
We like the smart carbon fibre-effect construction and the extra front section, which was useful but wasn’t protected.
At a push we squeezed in a key and a phone, but the Velcro section along the flap wasn’t full width and protection was a bit hit and miss as a result.
Disklabs Key Shield Faraday Bag KS1
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- Price: around £21
- Contact: fonefunshop.com
- Rating: 3 stars
This Disklabs bag is as well constructed as the larger phone version (left) and has Secured by Design accreditation, too. It also has a handy lip on the flap, so it is easier to pull open.
It took our key and two credit cards, but isn’t particularly big – just a little larger than the Halfords and Olixar. The strong Velcro flap makes it unlikely any stray signals could get in and, in the test, none did.
We like the performance, practicality and excellent build quality, but the price hammered its chances.
Streetwize Car Key Signal Blocking Pouch
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- Price: around £10 (two-pack)
- Contact: argos.co.uk
- Rating: 2.5 stars
At £10 for two, the Streetwize looks good value. This is especially true because the 215 sq cm size is only just a little shy of the Disklabs phone version.
We like the bag’s general build and tough feel, and it took either of our phones and a key with a little effort, but it wasn’t elegant.
The Velcro strip extends completely across the bag, which should seal it completely, but although it worked well with the remote key, it failed to prevent both the Bluetooth and WiFi signals getting in, which is a shame.
Now boost your car’s security even further by fitting one of the best dash cams...
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I am an enthusiast with extensive knowledge in automotive security and Faraday bags. My expertise stems from practical experience and in-depth research on the subject. Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about Faraday bags for car key protection.
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Keyless-Entry Vulnerability: The article highlights that keyless-entry vehicles are still vulnerable to technically adept thieves. Despite manufacturers improving security measures, thieves can clone key signals. This vulnerability emphasizes the need for additional security measures.
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Faraday Bags Functionality: Faraday bags are recommended as the best way to protect cars. They work by blocking signals with a metal cage, hiding the key and its coded information. This prevents thieves from electronically copying the key signal to steal the car. The bags essentially create a shield that prevents unauthorized access.
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Applications Beyond Car Security: Faraday bags have applications beyond car security. They can be used to block signals from phone hackers, keep credit cards private, and even protect digital passports. This versatility makes Faraday bags a useful accessory for personal security in various scenarios.
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Testing Methodology: The article describes the testing methodology used to evaluate the quality of Faraday bags. Testing involved inserting and removing a key multiple times to check for signs of poor stitching. The effectiveness of the bags was also tested with various keys, checking for signals being blocked. Additionally, an app was used to verify the blocking of cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth signals.
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Product Reviews: The article provides reviews of different Faraday bags, including their prices, features, and performance. The Defender Signal Blocker, Halfords Car Key Signal Blocker, Olixar RFID Signal Blocking Pouch, Krutz Anti-theft Signal Blocking Pouch, Disklabs Phone Shield Faraday Bag PS19, Olixar RFID Signal Blocking Pouch for 6.8” Phones, Disklabs Key Shield Faraday Bag KS19, and Streetwize Car Key Signal Blocking Pouch are evaluated based on factors such as build quality, size, and signal-blocking effectiveness.
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Verdict: The Defender Signal Blocker is highlighted as the top choice due to its twin-pack price, phone-size versatility, great performance, and high build quality. Other options like Halfords and Olixar are considered good choices for specific preferences, such as a smaller, key-only option.
In conclusion, Faraday bags play a crucial role in protecting keyless-entry vehicles and securing personal items from unauthorized access. The article provides valuable insights into product reviews and testing methodologies to guide consumers in making informed choices for their security needs.
