VERIFY: Does aluminum foil protect your key fob from thieves? (2024)

FAQs

VERIFY: Does aluminum foil protect your key fob from thieves? ›

"Simply having tin foil wrapped around your key fob will not protect you from somebody trying to steal the codes off that," he said. "Your key fob in tin foil or aluminum foil, it may dampen the signal depending upon how close you are, but it won't completely eliminate it."

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.

And if nothing else, wrap the key fob in layers of aluminum foil to block the signal, Shlisel said.

Wrapping any electronic device that emits or transmits any type of signal, in aluminum foil, will hamper the device's ability to transmit or receive, effectively putting it on an island. The reason this is suggested to do with a car key… Key fobs respond to signals.

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 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!

So why wrap your car key fob in foil? Your car waits for a signal from the fob and thieves can grab fob signals. Wrapping the fob in tinfoil decreases the strength of the signal and the range of the fob. This means you'll need to be closer to your car to start it.

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.

Research suggests that wrapping your keys in tin foil dampens the signal, but doesn't fully block it. We'd recommend opting to store your key in a Faraday pouch or signal blocking box over the fridge or microwave too, as you're less likely to damage it.

Can thieves intercept my key fob signal when it's inside my house and steal my car? ›

That's different than a wireless relay attack, when thieves use a device to scan the signal from your keyless fob sitting inside the house – for instance, in your jacket next to the front door. Then, they create a cloned fob that lets them get in your car and start it.

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.

It simply keeps the doorknob from becoming damaged.

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.

Lock Your Doors – Locking your car any time you're not occupying it helps. While this may seem like a no brainer, it can often be the one thing that can determine whether or not someone will try to go through your car. Thieves will often just pull on handles on car doors until they find one that is unlocked.

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. Telegraph Money delves into why keyless cars are an easy target, and the eight steps you can take to beef up security on your vehicle.

Keep the key fob away from windows and doors

The closer the key fob is to the vehicle, the easier it is for thieves to amplify the signal. Therefore keep your key fob away from doors and windows, and as far away from the car as is practical.

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.

How do you stop a key fob from transmitting? ›

Keep the fob in a blocking bag

Another method is to keep the fob in a blocking bag. Small and portable, blocking bags stop communication with the fob by blocking the signal.

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.

Answer. Thin amounts of plastic wrap, wax paper, cotton and rubber are not likely to interfere with radio waves. However, aluminum foil, and other electrically conductive metals such as copper, can reflect and absorb the radio waves and consequently interferes with their transmission.

This special antenna amplifies the signal coming FROM the key fob in the house, and it tricks the car into thinking the fob is very close. There IS a way to avoid this. Put your key fob in a metal box to block the outside signal.