Police Now Telling People Wrap Their Keys In Foil, But Why?

A new hijacking scam called “relay theft” has emerged where thieves can use radio devices to read car keys from outside an individual’s home or workplace.

Relay boxes, which can be purchased online, are use by thieves to pick up the signal from a keyless fob inside a car owner’s home, which then extends the signal to the vehicle causing it to unlock and start.

So why would police recommend people cover their key fob in foil?

Well, the tinfoil will help to decrease the signal, making it less likely for thieves to grab fob signals.

You can protect your car keys from being scanned by:

  1. Store your keys in a safe place, out of range of your car.
  2. Store your keys in an aluminum tin or signal blocking box when at home.
  3. Carry your key fob in a shielded wallet or Faraday pouch when out and about.
  4. Turn off your key fob’s wireless signal, if applicable.

‘AWM’ offered additional details on this life hack:

Former Israeli Air Force member and CEO of GuardKnox Cyber Technology, Moishe Shlisel has a life hack to keep your key fob data secure. While it is quite old-fashioned, it works without fail – and that is how Moishe likes his tools to be. If they can fail easily, then they are not very secure.

He wraps his car fob in aluminum foil. And it keeps hackers away.

“You know it works if you can’t unlock a car door when the fob is inside,” said Moshe. “The credit card holders don’t work because they’re essentially a net rather than a wall.”

Recently, Detroit automakers invited Moishe to help them boost security. And he said the fob needed to be worked on extensively.

“This should be something we don’t need to wrap with foil. It’s 2018,” he said. “Car companies need to find a way so no one can replicate the messages and the communication between the key and the vehicle.”

Cybersecurity expert Holly Hubert who worked with the FBI until retiring in 2017 agrees.

“Although it’s not ideal, it is the most inexpensive way,” said Hubert. “The cyber threat is so dynamic and ever changing, it’s hard for consumers to keep up.”

According to security experts, newer vehicle security has increased the likelihood of auto thefts, as now thieves no longer need your key to rip off your car.

Watch it here: FactVerse/Youtube

Source: AWM

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