Concerned about keyless car theft? Discover what key fob cloning is and crucial steps to prevent your keyless entry car from being stolen. Learn if your car has keyless entry and which car models are most vulnerable to this rising crime known as relay theft.
Understanding Keyless Car Theft: What is Key Fob Cloning?
Keyless car theft, also known as relay theft or key fob cloning, is a technique where thieves capture the signal from your key fob, even when it’s inside your home. Using sophisticated devices, criminals exploit the convenience of keyless entry systems to gain unauthorized access to your vehicle.
How Key Fob Cloning Works: The Relay Theft Process
Step 1: Signal Interception – A thief, positioned outside your house or within close proximity to your keys, uses a relay device to capture the radio frequency signal emitted by your key fob.
Step 2: Signal Relay and Vehicle Access – This captured signal is then relayed to an accomplice standing near your car. This relayed signal tricks your car into thinking the actual key fob is nearby, allowing the doors to unlock and the ignition to be started.
“Keyless car theft can take as little as 20-30 seconds to execute.”
Cars equipped with keyless entry systems are particularly susceptible to relay theft, making them vulnerable targets for tech-savvy thieves.
How Close Do Thieves Need to Be to Clone Your Key Fob?
Thieves only need to be within a few meters of your car keys to successfully capture and clone the signal. This proximity is often achieved by targeting homes, driveways, or even public places where car owners keep their keys nearby. We’ll explore effective methods to block your car key signal and deter thieves shortly.
Key Fob Cloning: The Speed of the Crime
The alarming reality of keyless car theft is its speed. Criminals can steal your car in a mere 20 to 30 seconds, making it a swift and efficient crime.
Decoding the Tools of the Trade: What Devices Are Used?
Relay theft relies on specialized electronic equipment designed to intercept and amplify key fob signals. This equipment typically consists of a transmitter to capture the signal and a receiver to relay it to the car, effectively cloning the key fob’s signal for unauthorized access.
Is Your Car a Keyless Entry Vehicle? Identifying Vulnerability
If you need to physically press a button on your key fob to unlock your car, your vehicle is not vulnerable to key fob cloning. These older systems are not susceptible to relay attacks.
Keyless entry cars, in contrast, offer the convenience of unlocking and starting the car with the key fob remaining in your pocket or bag. Once inside, starting the engine usually requires just pressing a button.
Learn more about keyless entry systems
Protecting Your Keyless Car: Top Methods to Prevent Key Fob Cloning
To safeguard your keyless entry car from becoming a victim of relay theft and key fob cloning, implement these essential preventative measures:
1. Faraday Bags: The Ultimate Signal Blocking Solution for Your Car Keys
Car key burglaries are a growing concern, emphasizing the need to secure your car keys effectively.
If you own a keyless entry vehicle, it’s crucial to keep your keys far from doors and windows, minimizing signal reach. Storing your car key in a screened box, metal tin, or ideally, a Faraday bag, prevents the signal from being intercepted and used to unlock your car. Remember to protect any spare sets of keys as well!
Understanding Faraday Bags (Signal Blocking Pouches)
A Signal blocking pouch effectively shields your keys from relay theft. Image courtesy of Solon Security
Faraday bags, also known as signal blocking pouches, are lined with metallic layers that create a Faraday cage effect. This effectively blocks your key fob from transmitting its signal to the vehicle, preventing unauthorized access.
“A Faraday pouch, with its metallic lining, is designed to prevent signals from remote key fobs from being intercepted by criminals.” – John Mutch Locksmith
Using a signal blocking pouch is a highly effective way to thwart relay theft by neutralizing the amplified signals used in these attacks.
Faraday Bag Costs and Versatility
These protective pouches are surprisingly affordable, starting from around £5. Beyond car key security, they can also block Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals on mobile phones, offering versatile signal protection.
Explore Faraday/Signal Blocking Pouches and Best Signal Blocking Pouches Guide for more information.
2. Deactivate Your Keyless Fob’s Wireless Signal
Did you know that some keyless fobs can have their wireless signals deactivated?
Check your car’s manual to see if this feature is available for your key fob. If you can’t find instructions, contact your vehicle manufacturer for guidance on disabling your fob’s signal when not in use.
Wikihow guide on disabling key fobs
3. Physical Security Measures: Steering Wheel Locks and Car Alarms
Employing physical security measures like steering wheel locks and car alarms is another effective deterrent against keyless car theft.
While modern car thieves often rely on technology, mechanical devices like steering wheel locks present a significant physical obstacle, deterring opportunistic criminals.
A robust Steering Wheel Lock acts as a visible deterrent against keyless car theft.
When selecting a security device, look for 3rd party approvals like Sold Secure. Sold Secure certification indicates the product has been tested against criminal tools, ensuring a higher level of protection.
Find Sold Secure approved steering wheel locks
Car Alarms and Insurance Benefits
Installing a car alarm, especially if your car doesn’t have a factory-fitted system, may also reduce your car insurance premiums.
Ensure the alarm is insurer-approved, as alarm quality varies. Furthermore, a professionally installed immobilizer is a highly cost-effective way to lower your insurance costs.
Learn about car alarms and insurance impact
4. Secure Parking Practices: Garage and Defensive Parking
Parking your car in a garage overnight is an ideal strategy to [stop keyless car theft]. It creates a physical barrier and increases the distance between your car and potential thieves attempting to intercept your key fob signal.
If garage parking isn’t an option, park defensively in your driveway, positioning your car as close to your property as possible to minimize accessibility.
Enhance Home Security for Vehicle Protection
Consider enhancing your overall home security with outdoor motion detector lighting and CCTV cameras. If street parking is necessary, choose well-lit areas to deter thieves.
A local MLA master locksmith can conduct a comprehensive home security check and recommend tailored upgrades to your outdoor security measures.
Explore 18 Home Security Tips and Outdoor Security Advice for further guidance.
5. VIN Etching: Deterring Re-Identification Theft
Etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (or registration number) onto your car windows, headlights, and mirrors adds a significant layer of theft deterrence. VIN etching makes it considerably more difficult for thieves to alter your vehicle’s identity after a keyless car theft.
6. Maintain a Tidy Vehicle: Reduce Temptation
An often-overlooked tip, keeping your vehicle tidy can deter opportunistic thieves.
Minimize clutter inside your car and conceal any electronic devices like GPS navigation systems and mobile phones. Consider keeping your glove box empty and open to visibly show there are no valuables inside.
Conceal any signs of expensive equipment, such as suction cup marks on your windshield from GPS devices, which can attract unwanted attention.
7. Secure Lost Car Keys: Prevent Exploitation
If you’ve lost your car keys, promptly contact a local MLA auto locksmith. They are experts in vehicle security and key systems.
A qualified locksmith can ensure that any lost or stolen keys are deactivated and cannot be used to access your vehicle, removing them from your car’s system and preventing unauthorized use.
Learn about car key reprogramming and best ways to replace lost car keys.
8. Reprogram Keys for Used Vehicles: Eliminate Prior Access
If you purchase a second-hand vehicle, there’s a potential risk that not all key sets were provided.
Reprogramming your car keys is a crucial step to prevent keyless car theft, ensuring previous owners cannot access your vehicle.
To eliminate any uncertainty, have your car keys reprogrammed. This action prevents previous owners from potentially accessing your vehicle with old keys.
Important Note: Car key reprogramming costs can vary, especially when going directly to manufacturers. Hiring an auto locksmith is often a more cost-effective solution.
Car Models at High Risk of Keyless Car Theft
Any vehicle with a keyless entry system is potentially vulnerable to relay theft.
Popular models like the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai, and Ford Focus are frequently targeted due to their prevalence.
This risk was highlighted by the BBC in their article “Hundreds of popular cars ‘at risk of keyless theft’,” which analyzed data on keyless or relay attacks on cars.
View the ADAC Keyless Car Test Results
A comprehensive study by the General German Automobile Club (ADAC) tested 237 keyless cars and found that an overwhelming 230 models could be unlocked and started using relay theft techniques.
Thatcham Keyless Entry Car Security Ratings
In 2019, Thatcham Research introduced a security rating system to evaluate keyless entry car models against relay theft vulnerabilities. Here are the results:
Keyless Car Models Passing the Thatcham Security Test
The following keyless entry car models PASSED Thatcham’s relay attack test and received a Superior security rating:
| Keyless Entry Vehicle Model | Pass Or Fail | Security Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Audi e-tron | Pass | Superior |
| BMW 1 Series / 7 Series / 8 Series | Pass | Superior |
| BMW X6 / X7 | Pass | Superior |
| Ford Puma | Pass | Superior |
| Jaguar XE | Pass | Superior |
| Land Rover Evoque | Pass | Superior |
| Mercedes B-Class | Pass | Superior |
| Porsche 911 | Pass | Superior |
| Porsche Macan | Pass | Superior |
| Volkswagen Passat | Pass | Superior |
Keyless Car Models Failing the Thatcham Security Test
The following keyless entry car models FAILED Thatcham’s relay attack test and received a Poor security rating:
| Keyless Entry Vehicle Model | Pass Or Fail | Security Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DS3 Crossback | Fail | Poor |
| Ford Mondeo | Fail | Poor |
| Kia ProCeed | Fail | Poor |
| Lexus UX | Fail | Poor |
| Hyundai Nexo | Fail | Poor |
| Mazda 3 | Fail | Poor |
| Toyota Corolla | Fail | Poor |
| Toyota RAV-4 | Fail | Poor |
| Volvo V60 | Fail | Poor |
Key Fob Cloning: Frequently Asked Questions
Does storing car keys in a tin block the signal?
Storing your key fob in a metal tin might offer some protection against key fob cloning by potentially blocking signal relay attempts. A metallic container can interfere with the signals thieves use to amplify your key fob’s signal.
However, for reliable signal blocking, testing the tin’s effectiveness is recommended. The most dependable method remains using a signal blocking pouch or Faraday pouch designed specifically for car key fobs.
Where is the best place to keep car keys at night to prevent cloning?
To prevent key fob cloning, especially at night, store your car key fob in a signal blocking pouch (Faraday pouch). This will effectively block your key fob’s signal. Additionally, keep your car keys far away from exterior doors and windows to further minimize any potential signal interception attempts.
Will car insurance cover keyless car theft?
With car theft payouts reaching record highs in 2019, relay crime is suspected to be a significant contributing factor.
Most car insurance policies generally cover theft resulting from keyless car theft. However, insurers may require proof that you possess all sets of keys for the vehicle. It is always recommended to verify your specific coverage details with your insurance provider.
Are car manufacturers taking action to prevent keyless car theft?
Yes, several car manufacturers are actively implementing preventative measures to combat keyless car theft.
Kia, for instance, is providing Faraday bags to customers to block key fob signals.
Ford, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes have introduced motion sensor key fobs. These “sleeping key fobs” automatically deactivate after approximately 40 seconds of inactivity, disrupting criminals’ attempts to capture the car’s signal.
Are vans also vulnerable to keyless theft?
Yes, keyless van thefts increased in 2018, with Ford Transit vans being a particularly targeted model.
What is the future outlook for combating relay theft?
Our Managing Director, Steffan George, has engaged with West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson and car manufacturers to advocate for stronger measures to combat vehicle theft.
For immediate protection, utilizing a Faraday pouch to store your car key fob remains a crucial step in preventing your car from becoming a victim of relay theft.
Questions About Keyless Car Theft?
If you have concerns about keyless car theft, contact us or consult with a MLA licensed car locksmith in your area for expert advice.
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