Drivers urged to wrap car keys in tin foil for | Tech News

Drivers have been urged to wrap their car keys in tin foil. Criminals have began concentrating on automobiles by exploiting wi-fi technology used in their keys and so house owners have been urged to take further measures to defend their prized possessions.

Known as “relay” theft, would-be thieves do not need to lay fingers in your key and even enter your home to unlock and begin your car with fashionable techniques; they merely use radio gadgets. Key fobs work together along with your vehicle’s receiver by way of radio frequency indicators, however the comfort of contactless use has inadvertently created a security vulnerability for adept thieves. And it comes as DVLA statistics indentified the automobiles most regularly focused by criminals.

In first place was the Ford Fiesta, with 3,511 reported stolen in 2025, adopted by the Volkswagen Golf (1,625) and the Ford Focus (1,474), with 54,830 automobiles reported stolen in 2025.

A “relay attack” usually employs signal-boosting gear that may increase the fob’s vary, a methodology that includes a thief positioned close to your entrance door, whereas an confederate stands close to your vehicle.

It extends the signal over the gap, deceiving the vehicle into recognising the important thing as being in close proximity, thereby permitting it to be unlocked and began. Fortunately, there’s a means to fight this.

A so-called “Faraday cage”, a identify derived from the Nineteenth-century scientist Michael Faraday, can defend your car key from electromagnetic radiation and stop thieves in their tracks.

And, though you should buy specialised Faraday pouches, you possibly can defend your keys instantly by wrapping them in tin foil, a methodology ex-FBI agent Holly Hubert mentioned is the “most inexpensive way”.

Speaking to the Detroit Free Press in 2018, Holly mentioned: “Although it’s not ideal, it is the most inexpensive way. The cyber threat is so dynamic and ever changing, it’s hard for consumers to keep up.”

Like signal-blocking pouches, tin foil prevents electromagnetic indicators from being transmitted. However, this kind of crime continues to have an effect on many victims, though general vehicle thefts have declined by 11 %.

Claire Evans, shopper editor at What Car?, mentioned: “Annual car theft figures continue to be very high, so owners need to do all they can to keep them safe.”

“Our data shows that small, inexpensive models such as the Nissan Juke and Vauxhall Corsa are under threat, so it’s vital to take measures to protect all cars.

“Simple measures, like utilizing a steering lock or maintaining your car keys in a Faraday pouch, will reduce the probabilities of it being stolen.”

Criminals can exploit the flaw by using low-cost, widely available items such as relay boxes. Another method is known as a “CAN bus assault”, a technique that involves plugging equipment directly into the vehicle’s wiring.

By using fake messages, this method confuses the vehicle’s system and enables criminals to override the immobiliser, according to the BBC, which also noted that such items can be made to resemble portable Bluetooth speakers.

Speaking to the BBC‘s Calum Watson, former Met police officer Vince Wise mentioned: “Back in the 80s or 90s, it was very straightforward to get into a vehicle, steal it and take it away. It was in all probability cheaper than getting a taxi on the time.”

He added: “Now, as a result of of the worth of automobiles going up and the demand for elements, it is very straightforward to transfer these round and make massive earnings.”