And the FBI advises wrapping the key in foil

Do I always need to keep my car key in a case with a metal foil shield? Many are sure that this is another bike, the purpose of which is to generate Internet traffic. But this time the advice comes from former FBI agent Holly Hubert. His words are quoted in the respected USA Today.

Why is key protection needed?

Hubert, an expert on electronic theft, recommends such a protective measure for owners of new vehicles with keyless entry. Such systems are very easy for car thieves to hack.

All they have to do is intercept and copy the signal from your key. Thanks to special amplifiers, they don't even need to approach you - they can do it at a decent distance, for example, while you are sitting in a cafe.

How likely is signal theft?

This type of theft has been booming lately and is forcing leading car manufacturers to start working on special cyber protection devices for the signal. However, they have not yet entered the market. Hubert recommends relying on simple physical protection.

Alternative to expensive protective equipment

A special case can be purchased to protect the key signal, but prices range around $ 50. If it is not possible to allocate such an amount, a piece of metal foil will cope with the task with no less efficiency.

Of course, this will deprive you of the opportunity to defiantly put the key on the table in the restaurant so that everyone can see which car you arrived in. On the other hand, you will be able to drive your car for longer.

By the way, the danger of stealing the key signal remains at home. For safety reasons, store your keys in a metal box, and don't just throw them in a cabinet under a mirror.