Keyless entry is brilliantly convenient — walk up, the car unlocks; press a button, it starts. But that same convenience has opened the door to a fast, quiet type of car theft, and we get asked about it a lot around Southampton and the Solent. Here's how it works and how to shut it down.
How keyless car theft works
Your fob is constantly broadcasting a short-range signal. The most common attack — a relay attack — uses two cheap devices (often under £100) to catch that signal from your fob sitting on the hall table, amplify it, and relay it to the car on your drive. The car thinks the key is present, unlocks, and drives away — all while your key never leaves the house. Security researchers have also shown that some older systems can be cracked by intercepting the signal, though that takes far more skill and is much rarer.
Simple ways to protect your car
- Use a Faraday pouch — a signal-blocking pouch for your fob costs a few pounds and stops the broadcast completely.
- Or a metal tin — a biscuit tin, or even the microwave (never switched on!), blocks the signal in a pinch.
- Keep fobs away from the front door and windows — the closer the fob is to the outside wall, the easier it is to relay.
- Turn keyless off if your car allows it — many fobs can be put to sleep; check your handbook.
- Add a physical deterrent — a steering lock is old-school, but thieves move on to easier targets.
Lost or need a spare key?
While we're best known as home and business locksmiths, we can also help with everyday key needs — pop into either store for key cutting, or if you've been targeted and need your home re-secured quickly, our emergency locksmiths cover Southampton and the Solent 24/7.