Thieves boosting signal from key fobs inside homes to steal vehicles

Re:Thieves boosting signal from key fobs inside homes to ste... by jl6 on Wednesday December 05, 2018 @03:55PM (#18612442)

I do exactly this. I lined a cookie tin with foil, and tested it by holding the closed box (with the keys inside) next to the car. It didn’t unlock. Then I opened the box, and it did unlock. The box has to be closed (lid fully on, no gaps) or the car will still unlock.

Of course this only foils overnight theft. I imagine it would be trivial for someone to follow me from a car park to a public location and sit next to me to get the key signal from my pocket.

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Re:Thieves boosting signal from key fobs inside homes to ste... by jjeaff on Wednesday December 05, 2018 @04:50PM (#18612970)

I would imagine the signal emmitted from the fob is time sensitive. The codes should be invalid within a few seconds. If not, shame on them for such a terrible step backwards in security.

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Re:Thieves boosting signal from key fobs inside homes to ste... by gnicholas on Wednesday December 05, 2018 @04:05PM (#18612534)

Does an unlined cookie tin not work? Does having the lid mostly closed (but with some small gaps) at least cut the effective range?

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Re:Thieves boosting signal from key fobs inside homes to ste... by Scoundreller on Thursday December 06, 2018 @12:11AM (#18615598)

I’m wondering if a tin facing away from the door may be sufficient since the signal will be reflecting in the wrong direction.

Then just a metallized flap for extra protection.

Leakage is fine. As long as it’s in the right direction.

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Re:Thieves boosting signal from key fobs inside homes to ste... by jl6 on Friday December 07, 2018 @03:09AM (#18625918)

I didn’t test rigorously but an unlined tin did not block the signal when the tin was right next to the car. Maybe it still reduces the range.

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