Although your car’s key fob is completely hackable, there is a simple technique to prevent break-ins and theft.
Someone broke into my car two nights in a row recently. The first time, I assumed it was a mistake on my part, and that I had forgotten to lock it when I returned home. So the next night, I made a point of securing it and arming the alarm, but someone was able to break in again.
Fortunately, nothing was taken because there wasn’t much in the car, but it was still unpleasant. There were no damaged windows, either, so how did someone get into the car without the keys? I reasoned that because the automobile is new (we’ve only had it since April), no one would have a matching key.
Then, after a short perusal of local Facebook groups and Nextdoor feeds, I discovered I’m not alone: similar break-ins are happening all over town, and many suspect key fob hacking. So I did some research and learned that key fob hacking is a real thing. There are a variety of methods, but the most frequent is “signal boosting.”
What is signal boosting, and how does it work?
In this case, “boost” refers to stealing a signal, as opposed to a signal to boost crucial information on social media. Hackers can use a device that fools your car and key fob into thinking they’re in close proximity, then emit the fob’s unlock signal without touching any of the fob or car’s buttons.
Normally, signal boosting is used to unlock a car, but a similar technique may also be used to switch on vehicles with keyless ignitions. Other remote key fob hacks, such as roll jamming, record and fake your key fob’s unlock signal, but they’re far more difficult to accomplish. However, to accomplish a signal increase, all that is required is roughly $20 in equipment.
How to prevent your car fob’s signal from being boosted by thieves
So, what’s the best way to avoid a signal boost attack? It’s not like you can use your key fob to enable two-factor authentication or install anti-malware. The remedy is straightforward: prevent signals from reaching your key fob.
There are various methods for doing this, but the most reliable is using a Faraday bag. These bags, like the “Faraday cages” after which they are called, establish an electromagnetic barrier that prevents any signals from entering or leaving the bag.
Online, you may find low-cost Faraday bags, cartons, and wallets. Simply keep your keys (or other wireless gadgets) in the bag while you’re at home, especially at night.
If you don’t have a Faraday bag, putting your keys in a thick metal object—such as a refrigerator or a safe—would be better than leaving them out in the open, but we can’t guarantee it will prevent a hacker from signal boosting as efficiently as a Faraday bag.
At the very least, when you’re at home, keep your keys at the far end of the house. The signals will be tougher to reach the further away your keys are from your automobile, and the more walls and other barriers that are between them.
When you combine a Faraday bag with other anti-theft features like a steering wheel claw and security cameras, the possibility of someone breaking in and maybe stealing your car is considerably lowered. Also, spare keys, fobs, garage door remotes, and other valuables should not be kept in your car. That way, even if someone tries to get in (windows are breakable, after all), they won’t be able to take much.
Signal boosting by a hacker is as effective as a Faraday bag.
