It might sound odd, but wrapping your car keys in aluminum foil could prevent your vehicle from being stolen. And no, thieves don’t even need your keys to pull it off.
Here’s why:
Modern car keys, especially those with keyless entry, are constantly transmitting signals—even when sitting on your kitchen counter. Cybersecurity experts warn that criminals can buy equipment online that mimics your key’s signal and use it to unlock and start your car remotely. It’s called a relay attack, and it’s becoming alarmingly common.
How can you protect yourself?
The easiest method? Wrap your key fob in aluminum foil. It may seem low-tech, but it works. The foil blocks electromagnetic signals from escaping, which makes it harder for thieves to intercept and replicate your key’s frequency.
“We’re talking about a form of communication through electromagnetic waves,” explains Moshe Shlisel, CEO of GuardKnox Cyber Technologies. “Think of a song that constantly plays between a key and a car lock. If someone learns that ‘song,’ they can open your car—even without the key.”
Shlisel, who also worked for the Israeli Air Force developing missile defense systems, explains that the function of aluminum foil is to create a cell that prevents electromagnetic waves from being recorded by someone else.
“More and more thefts”
Many might find it archaic that, in the 21st century, we have to worry about wrapping car keys in aluminum foil.
“Although I don’t have figures, I can say that these incidents are happening more and more, as the devices needed to carry out these attacks can be easily purchased online, and there are even YouTube tutorials on how to do it,” Shlisel explains.
To which he adds: “The automotive industry is fully aware of these problems and is looking for ways to make it impossible for anyone to replicate the communication between a key and a vehicle.”