Car theft is a serious concern for vehicle owners, and with the rise of technology, thieves are finding increasingly sophisticated ways to steal cars. One such method is keyless car theft, also known as relay theft or relay crime, which involves using scanners to intercept the signal from your car keys. Understanding how to protect your car keys from scanners is crucial in preventing your vehicle from becoming a target.
Understanding Keyless Car Theft and Scanner Attacks
Keyless car theft exploits the convenience of keyless entry systems. These systems allow you to unlock and start your car without physically using a key. Instead, your car key fob emits a short-range radio signal that the car detects when you are nearby. However, criminals have developed devices, often referred to as “scanners” or “relay devices,” to take advantage of this technology.
How Keyless Car Theft Works: Step-by-Step
The process of keyless car theft using scanners typically involves these steps:
Step 1: Signal Interception: A thief with a relay device stands near your house or wherever your car keys are located. This device is designed to detect and amplify the radio signal emitted by your key fob.
Step 2: Signal Relay: The relay device captures the signal from your key fob and transmits it to a second thief standing near your car.
Step 3: Vehicle Deception: The car receives the relayed signal, mistaking it for a key fob in close proximity. This fools the car’s security system into unlocking the doors and enabling the ignition.
Step 4: Quick Theft: The thieves can then open your car, start the engine, and drive away, often within just 20-30 seconds.
This method allows thieves to steal cars without needing to break in, hotwire the ignition, or even touch your actual car keys. The speed and ease with which keyless car theft can be executed make it a significant threat.
Is Your Car at Risk of Keyless Scanner Theft?
The primary vulnerability to scanner-based keyless car theft lies in vehicles equipped with keyless entry systems. If your car requires you to press a button on the key fob to unlock it, it is not considered a keyless entry car and is not susceptible to this specific type of attack.
Keyless entry cars, on the other hand, allow you to unlock the doors and start the engine while the key fob remains in your pocket or bag. These systems are designed for convenience, but they also introduce a potential security loophole that scanners exploit.
To determine if your car has a keyless entry system, check your car’s manual or test it: try opening your car door and starting the engine without pressing any buttons on your key fob. If you can, your car has keyless entry and is potentially at risk.
Top Methods to Protect Your Car Keys from Scanner Attacks
Fortunately, there are several effective ways to protect your car keys from scanner attacks and safeguard your vehicle from keyless theft. Here are the top methods you should consider:
1. Utilize a Signal Blocking Pouch (Faraday Bag)
A Faraday bag, also known as a signal blocking pouch, is one of the most effective and affordable ways to protect your car keys from scanners. These pouches are lined with metallic materials that block electromagnetic fields, preventing scanners from intercepting the signal from your key fob.
How Faraday Bags Work: When you place your car keys inside a Faraday bag and close it properly, the metallic lining creates a barrier that stops radio waves from escaping or entering. This means that the scanner devices used by thieves cannot detect or amplify your key fob’s signal.
Benefits of Faraday Bags:
- Effective Signal Blocking: Provides a reliable shield against scanner signals.
- Affordable: Faraday bags are relatively inexpensive, often costing as little as £5 to £20.
- Versatile: Can also be used to block Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals for mobile phones, enhancing overall digital security.
- Easy to Use: Simply place your keys inside the pouch when you are at home or in any location where your car is parked and vulnerable.
Practical Tip: Make it a habit to store your car keys in a Faraday bag as soon as you get home and keep them there until you need to drive again. This simple routine significantly reduces the risk of keyless car theft.
2. Disable Keyless Fob’s Wireless Signal (If Possible)
Some keyless car fobs have a feature that allows you to manually turn off the wireless signal transmission. Disabling the signal renders the key fob undetectable by scanners, providing an extra layer of security.
How to Disable the Signal:
- Consult Your Car Manual: Check your vehicle’s manual for instructions on how to deactivate the key fob’s signal. The process varies depending on the car manufacturer and model.
- Manufacturer Support: If your manual does not provide this information, contact your car manufacturer or dealership. They can advise you on whether your key fob has this feature and how to use it.
Considerations: Disabling the keyless signal might mean you lose the convenience of keyless entry until you reactivate it. However, for enhanced security, especially during nighttime or when parking in vulnerable locations, this can be a worthwhile trade-off.
3. Employ Mechanical Security Measures: Steering Wheel Locks and Car Alarms
While scanner attacks target electronic systems, physical security measures like steering wheel locks and car alarms remain highly effective deterrents against car theft, including keyless theft.
Steering Wheel Locks:
- Visual Deterrent: Steering wheel locks are highly visible and signal to thieves that your car is a difficult target.
- Physical Barrier: They physically prevent the steering wheel from turning, making it impossible to steer the car even if thieves manage to start the engine.
- Sold Secure Certification: When choosing a steering wheel lock, look for products with “Sold Secure” certification. This indicates that the lock has been tested against common criminal tools and meets a certain security standard.
Car Alarms:
- Audible Deterrent: A loud car alarm can startle and deter thieves, often causing them to abandon their attempt to steal the vehicle.
- Immobilization: Many modern car alarms include immobilizer functions that prevent the engine from starting unless the alarm is deactivated with the correct key fob or code.
- Insurance Benefits: Installing an aftermarket car alarm or ensuring your car has a factory-fitted alarm can sometimes reduce your car insurance premiums. Check with your insurer for approved alarm systems.
4. Park Strategically and Secure Your Home
Where and how you park your car, along with home security measures, can play a significant role in preventing keyless car theft.
Secure Parking:
- Garage Parking: Parking your car in a garage overnight is ideal. It adds a physical barrier and increases the distance between your car and potential thieves trying to intercept key fob signals.
- Driveway Parking: If you don’t have a garage, park your car as close to your house as possible when parking on your driveway. This reduces accessibility for thieves and increases the chances of you hearing or seeing any suspicious activity.
- Well-Lit Areas: When parking on the street, choose well-lit areas. Thieves prefer to operate in darkness, so parking in a brightly lit location can deter them.
Home Security Enhancements:
- Motion Detector Lighting: Install outdoor motion detector lights around your home, especially near your driveway and parking areas. These lights can startle potential thieves and make them more visible.
- CCTV Cameras: Consider installing CCTV cameras to monitor your property. Visible cameras can act as a deterrent, and recorded footage can be valuable evidence if a theft attempt occurs.
- Home Security Check: Consult with a local locksmith or security specialist to conduct a home security check and get advice on upgrading your overall home security measures.
5. VIN Etching for Vehicle Identity Protection
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) etching involves permanently etching your car’s VIN or registration number onto the windows and headlights. This makes it much harder for thieves to sell or dismantle your car if it is stolen.
Benefits of VIN Etching:
- Difficult to Alter Vehicle Identity: Etched VINs are very difficult and costly to remove or alter, making it harder for thieves to re-identify and sell the stolen vehicle.
- Deterrent to Thieves: Thieves often avoid vehicles with VIN etching because they are harder to dispose of.
- Potential Insurance Discounts: Some insurance companies may offer discounts for vehicles with VIN etching as it reduces the risk of permanent loss.
6. Keep Your Car Tidy and Valuables Hidden
While not directly related to scanner protection, keeping your car tidy and free of visible valuables can reduce its attractiveness to thieves in general, including those who might be considering keyless theft.
Practical Tips:
- Remove Valuables: Do not leave valuable items such as laptops, phones, bags, or shopping in plain sight inside your car.
- Hide Electronic Devices: If you must leave electronic devices in your car, hide them out of sight, preferably in the glove compartment or trunk.
- Empty Glove Box (Visually): Consider leaving your glove box open to show that there is nothing of value inside, deterring opportunistic thieves.
- Remove Sat-Nav Marks: Wipe away any suction cup marks left by portable Sat-Nav devices on your windshield, as these can indicate the presence of valuable electronics.
7. Secure Lost or Second-hand Car Keys
If you lose your car keys or purchase a second-hand vehicle, taking steps to secure your keys is essential to prevent potential theft, including keyless theft.
Lost Car Keys:
- Contact a Locksmith: If you lose your car keys, contact a certified auto locksmith immediately. They can reprogram your car’s immobilizer system to reject the lost keys, ensuring they cannot be used to steal your car.
- Key Reprogramming: A locksmith can also create new keys and program them to work with your car, effectively replacing the lost set.
Second-hand Vehicles:
- Key Reprogramming: When you buy a second-hand car, it’s wise to have the car keys reprogrammed. This ensures that any keys held by previous owners will no longer work with the vehicle, preventing potential unauthorized access.
8. Reprogram Your Keys for Enhanced Security
Reprogramming your car keys, even if you haven’t lost them or bought a used car, can be a proactive security measure.
Benefits of Key Reprogramming:
- Removes Old Keys from System: Reprogramming ensures that only the currently programmed keys will work with your car, eliminating any potential risk from previously existing keys.
- Peace of Mind: Provides reassurance that your car’s key system is secure, especially if you have any concerns about previous owners or lost keys.
Cost Consideration: Be aware that key programming costs can vary, and it’s often more expensive to go directly to the car manufacturer. Auto locksmiths typically offer more competitive pricing for key reprogramming services.
Car Models at Higher Risk of Keyless Scanner Theft
While any car with keyless entry is potentially vulnerable to scanner attacks, some models have been identified as being at higher risk due to the security systems they employ. Popular models like the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai, and Ford Focus have been reported to be at risk.
Organizations like the General German Automobile Club (ADAC) and Thatcham Research have conducted tests on various keyless entry cars to assess their vulnerability to relay attacks.
Keyless Entry Cars Tested by Thatcham:
Thatcham, a UK-based automotive research center, introduced a security rating for keyless entry cars based on their resistance to relay theft.
Vehicle Models Passing Keyless Car Theft Test (Superior Security Rating):
| Keyless Entry Vehicle Model | Pass/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 |
Vehicle Models Failing Keyless Car Theft Test (Poor Security Rating):
| Keyless Entry Vehicle Model | Pass/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 |
These test results highlight that security levels vary significantly among keyless entry car models. If you own or are considering purchasing a keyless entry car, it’s advisable to check its security rating and implement robust protection measures.
Keyless Car Theft FAQs
Does putting car keys in a tin block the signal?
Yes, storing your car key fob in a metallic tin may block the signal to some extent. Metal can act as a Faraday cage, potentially hindering signal relay attacks. However, the effectiveness can vary depending on the tin’s material and thickness. For reliable signal blocking, a dedicated Faraday bag is recommended.
Where should I keep my car keys at night to prevent scanner theft?
At night, the safest place to keep your car keys is inside a signal blocking pouch (Faraday bag), stored away from doors and windows. This minimizes the risk of scanners intercepting the signal from outside your home.
Will my car insurance cover keyless car theft?
Most comprehensive car insurance policies will cover theft, including keyless car theft. However, insurers may require proof that you still possess all sets of keys for the stolen vehicle. It’s crucial to check your specific policy details and confirm coverage with your insurance provider.
Are car manufacturers taking action to prevent keyless car theft?
Yes, car manufacturers are increasingly implementing preventative measures. Some are introducing motion sensor key fobs that go into sleep mode when inactive, preventing signal relay. Others, like Kia, are providing Faraday bags to customers. Manufacturers like Ford, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes have also incorporated motion sensor technology into their key fobs on certain models.
Are vans also vulnerable to keyless theft?
Yes, vans with keyless entry systems are also susceptible to keyless theft. Reports indicate a rise in keyless van thefts, with models like the Ford Transit being particularly targeted.
What is the future of relay theft prevention?
The automotive industry and law enforcement agencies are actively working to combat keyless car theft. Car manufacturers are continuously improving vehicle security systems, and law enforcement is increasing efforts to tackle vehicle thefts. In the meantime, utilizing personal protection measures like Faraday bags remains crucial for car owners.
Protect Your Car Keys, Protect Your Car
Keyless car theft using scanners is a real and growing threat. However, by understanding how these attacks work and implementing the protective measures outlined in this guide, you can significantly reduce the risk of your car becoming a target. Taking proactive steps to protect your car keys is an investment in your vehicle’s security and your peace of mind.
If you have further questions or concerns about keyless car theft, consult with a certified auto locksmith or your car dealership for expert advice and solutions tailored to your specific vehicle.
Contact us about keyless car theft https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/contact/
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Recommended Reading:
- Faraday/Signal Blocking Pouch Guide
- Best Signal Blocking Pouches Guide
- Full guide to what keyless entry is
- Wikihow guide to turning off fob
- 3rd party approval such as Sold Secure
- Find a approved steering wheel lock
- Will a car alarm impact my insurance
- 18 Home Security Tips
- Outdoor Security Advice
- Vehicle Identity Number
- Is Vin etching worth it?
- lost your car keys
- Get car keys reprogramed
- Best way to replace lost car keys
- car keys reprogrammed
- hire an auto locksmith
- Hundreds of popular cars ‘at risk of keyless theft
- View Keyless Cars Tested
- car theft payouts at a record high in 2019
- providing their own faraday bag
- introduced Motion Sensor Key Fobs
- increase in keyless van thefts
- call for more action to tackle vehicle thefts
