Keyless car stuff and the signal

[mikeprice]

Hello all

As I have mentioned - I have a new car (new to me anyway) and it has electric everything

including keyless entry

 

which obviously brings concerns about some numpty turning up outside in the middle of the night witha little box and recording the signal

then replaying it by the car and opening it and driving off

 

Anyway - the problem is that we have a nice looking wooden key-rack by the front door - wood with hooks along the top

look nice and handy

 

but I presume the keyless signal might be detectable from outside

I do have a small Faraday bag which I keep the car remotes in just in case

 

I was wondering - about stuff (as I do) and I was wondering if anyone on here has some answers

 

a) is there a cheap and easy way to detect the signal myself so I can check where it reaches. I don;t need to record it - obviously - just detect it

 

b) how easy is it to block? - would a sheet of kitchen foil stuck to the back of the wooden keyrack stop the signal getting out of the house?

 

 

 

BTW - someone on "another forum" says that a Hoola Hoop packet works due to the metallic lining - which is interesting if you ever need a Faraday cage that is cheap and easy to get hold of!

 

Thanks

 

Mike

Edited April 26, 2024 by mikeprice

[Michael]

You can buy faraday pouches on known auction sites for little money. It's a better look than a Hoola Hoop bag around town

 

Some cars now allow you to disable/switch off keyless entry and some fobs are based on movement, not just the signal itself.

 

Keeping the fob as far away from the front door certainly helps, both physically and signal wise when not in use!

[Aprice]

We used to keep ours in a small biscuit tin. If you can take the container to the car and the car doesn't acknowledge it I think it's probably good enough.

[NegativeKillDeath]

An excuse to promote the excellent Steve Mould. It might not answer your specific questions but its a good watch.

[jmak]

 

Keeping the fob as far away from the front door certainly helps, both physically and signal wise when not in use!

 

I've definitely mentioned it before on this forum, but at the risk of being boring....

 

If someone wants to rob your valuables from your house, they'll come when you're out. Making stuff difficult to find/internal security is useful.

 

If someone wants to steal your car, they'll come when you're in. Leave your keys by the door so that you don't need to meet them - they're not usually very nice people.

 

If you have keyless entry, keep them shielded. I wouldn't advocate making it so easy that they just walk up to the car and drive away, but by the door and identifiable is what I'd do.

[mavhc]

Don't live somewhere where people steal stuff/leave valuables in the car/have a very expensive car without a garage/not have cctv

[mikeprice]

I am working on the basis that is someone is equipped enough to turn up and be able to detect and copy the signal then they will go for the Porche Taycan next door!!!

 

 

I am just interested to see how easy it is to block - and how do I know whether something works

 

BTW - I haved a cheap Faraday pouch - but am looking for a nice small metal box instead - the Hoola Hoop bag (although I think a MaryLand cookie bag will work as well) is handy for emergencies maybe??

 

 

anyway thank all for contributions

[nicholab]

I sick of criminals that can’t just get a proper job like the rest of use and have to spoil things. Why do they want to be naughty not good? Edited April 27, 2024 by nicholab

[smithson83]

I have one of these by my door. Nice and convenient.

 

Prime Protect Faraday Box for Car Keys https://amzn.eu/d/eKU0pd1

[hardtailstar]

Don't live somewhere where people steal stuff/leave valuables in the car/have a very expensive car without a garage/not have cctv

 

Most criminals dont rob on their own doorsteps.....

 

I have a faraday box at home for key fob and wallet plus a pouch for when I'm at work/out near car.

 

My key fob works from the other side of the work car park so without the box/pouch at home, it'll be easy to see the signal.

[mikeprice]

I have one of these by my door. Nice and convenient.

 

Prime Protect Faraday Box for Car Keys https://amzn.eu/d/eKU0pd1

 

Looks effective - but it would be rejected as it it too utilitarian and doesn;t match the decor

(and no - I don;t understand that either!)

 

anyone come up with a way of detecting the key independently from the car??

 

mostly thinking of whether or not a sheet of kitchen foil on the back of the wooden key rack would be effective as it might/would block the signal that a thief would pick up

 

put also a little gadget that detects wireless signal would be a nice thing to have

(or "more junk" as my wife would certainly put it)

[mavhc]

Software defined radio usb device

[HarryMonkey]

I have one of these ...

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CQ4N37BY

[mavhc]

How do you test if it works?

[HarryMonkey]

I put my bluetooth headphones in and my phone couldn't find them. I took the box to the car with the key in and it wouldn't open the car. I put my phone in it and wasn't able to call it. I also couldn't ping it from my laptop.

[arwen]

I do have a little faraday pouch for keeping my car key in at home. However it's probably not required as the newer Ford keys have a motion sensor in them. If the key doesn't move for 40 seconds it stops transmitting and will not respond to wake up requests untill it detects movment.

Easy to test by leaving the key close to the car, then waiting for more than 40seconds and try opening the car without moving the key.