Imagine waking up one morning, ready to do your chores, only to find that your car, which has been with you for years, is gone. There was no sign of broken glass. Nobody broke in. Just… gone. There are no signs of a break-in, and the keys to the drawer are still there. Welcome to the moment when thieves can take cars without keys. And yes, it’s happening more and more, especially to newer cars. But here’s the interesting part: you can stop this high-tech theft with something as simple as aluminum foil.
Back then, car keys weren’t truly “keys.” A key fob is a little electronic device that many cars come with these days. It opens the doors, starts the engine, and makes driving easier than it was before. But there is a cost to how easy it is to use. These key fobs send a low-frequency signal to your automobile all the time so that they can talk to each other. Even while you sleep, that signal keeps going. That’s what criminals have learned to use to their advantage.
It might sound like something from a science fiction book, but the procedure is real and quite simple. With just two simple gadgets, thieves can execute a relay attack. One device can pick up the signal from your key fob, which can occasionally go through the walls of your house. After that, the signal is transferred to a second device that is near your car. You feel like you’re right next to the car. The engine starts, the doors open, and it’s gone in less than a minute.
Moshe Shlisel, who used to be the Israeli Air Force’s cybersecurity officer and is now the CEO of GuardKnox Cyber Technologies, argues that this kind of attack is not only possible, but it is also happening more often. He talks about the signal from the key fob like it’s a song. “The key fob plays the same tune over and again for the car. When the car hears it, it unlocks. People might be able to play that song again and open your car.
What can you do, then? Wrapping your key fob in aluminum foil is one of the best and easiest ways to remedy the problem. This easy trick works like a Faraday cage to prohibit thieves from getting your fob’s message by blocking electromagnetic impulses. You don’t need much—just wrap it up tightly and place it in a drawer or by the door. It’s not ideal, but it works well to keep people away.
You can use Faraday pouches instead of homemade foil if you don’t like how it looks. These little pouches block communications and have ingredients inside them that protect against electromagnetic waves. They are easy to carry, don’t stand out, and usually cost less than $20. You can find one easily online by searching for “best Faraday bags 2025,” “RFID key signal blocker,” or “Faraday pouch for car key.”
This type of theft is extremely terrible for older persons. Thieves usually target elderly individuals because they know that many of them park their cars in driveways instead of garages, drive newer cars that family members have given them or passed down to them, and leave their keys near doors or windows. Sadly, these actions make it easier to pick up signals.
Things that happen in real life make the problem more real. There were no signs of forced entry when a 67-year-old couple in Phoenix woke up to an empty driveway. The police confirmed that their SUV was stolen. It had a signal booster in it that they bought online for about $40. The husband said, “We didn’t hear anything.” “It’s like they just took it and disappeared without a trace.” The mental toll and sensation of being vulnerable lingered, even when insurance helped.
It’s a good thing the car business is paying attention. Some automobile companies are producing smart key fobs that go to sleep when they’re not being used or broadcast signals at lower levels that are tougher to pick up. But the driver is still responsible for keeping them safe until those features are standard on all automobiles and trucks.
And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a tech expert to stay protected. Just pay attention and be ready to make small changes. To start, wrap your key fob in foil or buy a Faraday pouch. Don’t leave your keys near doors or windows, which are easier to break into. If you want to keep thieves away, you might want to put a big steering wheel lock on your car. And if you can’t find a garage, always park in a spot that is safe and well-lit.
It might seem strange that something as simple as foil might help keep equipment that costs tens of thousands of dollars safe. But it’s smart to be vigilant in a world where digital thieves may get at you from your sidewalk. So, whether you drive to church on Sundays, take the grandkids out for ice cream, or just run errands now and then, one small thing can make a big impact.
If you’re not sure, finish what you’re doing.