How to Keep Your Car Key Fob From Being Hacked

Block Hackers’ Signals

The cheapest and most convenient way to stop thieves from hacking your key fob is to stop hackers’ signals from reaching your key fob in the first place. Put your keys in a Faraday bag, a metal-lined pouch that blocks electromagnetic fields like radio signals and electrical currents. The metal lining blocks thieves from picking up your key’s signal and using it to steal your vehicle.¹ The bags are portable, effective, and cheap.

A wide variety of online retailers like Amazon sell Faraday bag devices for $10 or less. Many hardware and electronics stores sell Faraday bags as well.

If you choose not to use a Faraday bag, you’ll need to take extra steps to protect your key fob. When you’re at home, keep your keys as far away from your car, doors, and windows as possible. That makes it harder for thieves to pick up your key fob’s signal from outside your house.

Keyless car theft is a form of auto theft that targets keyless entry and ignition vehicles through one of two strategies.

• Cloning: Hackers use flaws in key fobs’ encryption to get access. They use RFID transmitters to copy the radio signals that particular key fobs produce, making “clones” they can use to steal cars.
• Signal boosting: Signal boosting, also called a relay attack, typically requires a pair of thieves working together. One thief stands near a key fob’s location to capture its electronic signal, then uses a device called a keyless repeater to transmit the signal to their accomplice. The other thief waits near the car and uses the transmitted key signal to unlock it. In some cases, a single thief will use a signal amplification device to increase a key fob’s range, which fools the car into thinking its key is nearby when it isn’t.³

What Cars Are at Risk of Keyless Car Theft?

Cars with keyless entry systems (meaning they can unlock doors and start ignitions when someone holding the key fob approaches the vehicle) are vulnerable to keyless theft. If you need to push a button on your car key remote to unlock and lock the vehicle, you are not at risk of your key fob being hacked.

British insurance company Aviva reports receiving twice as many auto insurance claims for thefts of keyless entry cars versus vehicles without keyless entry.⁴ Despite this, keyless cars are increasingly common. As of March 2023, the global automotive keyless entry system market is worth $1.57 billion, and market research authority The Business Research Company forecasts it will grow to 2.48 billion by 2027.⁵

How Close Do Thieves Need to Get to Hack My Car Keys?

You may think of hacking as something that happens over the internet, like phishing scams and other crimes that can occur at great distances. Key fob hacking is different. Thieves only need to come within a few yards of your key fob to capture its signal. Stealing the signal can take less than a minute, which means it’s important to protect your key fob at all times.

Even if thieves hack your key fob, you can still take action to minimize the risk of car theft.

• Use anti-theft devices. Use a physical theft deterrent like a steering wheel lock so a thief can’t drive off with your car even if they’re able to unlock it.
• Park defensively. You may be familiar with defensive driving, a set of driving techniques designed to avoid accidents. Apply that same preventative mindset to parking. Park in a private garage or another place where it’s harder for thieves to access your vehicle. If your parking spot doesn’t have security cameras already, consider installing some to monitor your vehicle.
• Never store valuables, spare keys, or garage door openers in your car. If thieves do unlock or even steal your car, you don’t want them to be able to enter your home as well.
• Make sure you have car insurance that covers theft. While there’s no state that requires comprehensive coverage, we recommend it because it’s the only form of auto insurance that covers theft, including keyless car theft.

Keyless-entry cars offer drivers a convenient method for unlocking their cars without taking out their keys. Unfortunately, thieves have learned to take advantage of this high-tech feature and can hack key fobs to steal vehicles.

Take steps to protect your key fob from hackers to minimize the risks of auto burglary and car theft. The simplest, most effective method is to place your key fob in a Faraday bag whenever you exit your car. Protect yourself further by parking defensively, using anti-theft devices, and ensuring that you’re up to date with comprehensive coverage.