Some of us will be old enough to remember actually turning a key in a door to unlock a car. These days you can open your car with a wireless key fob, card or even your mobile phone or fingerprint.
But the sad reality is advances in keyless or contactless technology can make vehicles vulnerable to theft and cloning. Cloning involves criminals tricking your car into thinking someone is using your digital key when, in actual fact, it is a clone.
There are some simple ways to protect yourself and your vehicle, though, including some very cheap and easy tricks. The easiest way is to place your key in something that will block the signal from being transmitted.
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You can buy a signal-blocking box or pouch online. This Honor 2 Pack Car Key Signal Blocker Pouch is just £7.99 on Amazon.
Placing your key or card into an aluminium tin - even an old biscuit or chocolate tin - will also block the signal, online car sales site Cinch says. A lot of car manufacturers now include motion sensor fobs on their keys.
These fobs stop a signal being transmitted if the key is left idle for a certain amount of time. People are also advised to keep the software in their car up to date and to accept any update notifications on in-car screens.
Perhaps a more traditional way of preventing car theft is a steering wheel lock. It makes the vehicle almost impossible to drive away.
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