Do you own a vehicle whose key works remotely and without contact? It only takes a few minutes for a thief to steal it discreetly and without the slightest scratch. Limit the risk of theft with this simple tip.
For many years, cars have been supplied with so-called Keyless Entry keys. No more inserting the key into the door lock to open it and even turning it in the ignition to start the vehicle. With the key in your pocket, all you have to do is approach the door and operate the handle to get into the driver’s seat. One press of the Start button, and the road is yours. This saves valuable time by not having to rummage around everywhere to find the key and leave quickly. Do you find it practical? Thieves too! Because this technological progress presents a real security vulnerability shamelessly exploited by thieves. No need for them to force the lock or break the door window at the risk of triggering the alarm. A simple electronic device allows you to take possession of the car discreetly. And you don’t need to be a little computer genius to use it either.
Keyless Entry keys (a name that can literally be translated as keyless entry) work according to a fairly simple principle. They constantly emit a signal on a specific frequency. This is recognized only by the vehicle associated with the key. When the car’s receiver detects the presence of this signal within a defined radius (usually a few meters), it unlocks access to the car. All that remains is to operate the handle to enter the vehicle and start it, provided that the key is in the passenger compartment or within a very close radius. Likewise, when the signal emitted by the key moves away from the car’s receiver, the vehicle automatically locks. This allows you to simply slam the door and walk away from the car without worrying about locking the door yourself. And it is precisely this signal constantly emitted by the key that interests thieves.
Equipped with a portable device consisting of a receiver associated with a signal amplifier, the thieves spot the vehicle they are interested in, parked in the street for example. They then position themselves in front of the doors of the surrounding houses and try to catch the signal emitted by the car keys often left in the entrance or, in any case, not far from the door. The signal is then amplified and transmitted to a pirate transmitter. All the thief has to do is copy this signature onto a pirate key. The vehicle can then be accessed without the slightest break-in and can be driven as if the original key were inside. Fast, discreet, efficient… and not very reassuring!
How to avoid having a Keyless Entry key hacked?
Aware of the phenomenon, in recent years, certain manufacturers have integrated a system allowing the signal emitted by Keyless Entry keys to be cut off for a given period (during the night, for example) in order to limit the risk of theft. However, for greater security, you can protect your keys yourself. An unexpected method that nevertheless seems to work is to place your car keys in the microwave (without turning it on of course). The microwave oven operates like a Faraday cage by blocking the emission of waves emitted by the key. It is therefore impossible for a thief to retrieve the signal allowing them to open and seize the car.
For even greater security, you can purchase a Faraday pouch. For a cost of between 10 and 20 euros, you will find these small pockets on the Web into which you simply slip your keys or car cards to block the waves they emit.
These pouches are practical at home (there are also boxes of the same type) but also when you leave with your vehicle. Indeed, the hacking device used by thieves being relatively discreet (it fits in a bag) and operating on battery, it is entirely possible for them to steal a vehicle parked on a motorway rest area or in a gas station by following the same principle.