Prevent Keyless Car Theft Using Your Microwave
Modern car thieves don't need to break windows or hot-wire ignitions anymore. They're using relay attacks to steal keyless entry vehicles in under 30 seconds, often while you're sleeping upstairs. Relay theft uses boosters to amplify the signal from a keyless remote control, meaning a key left inside your house can be used to open and start a car on your driveway. One attacker picks up the signal from the key fob and amplifies it, transmitting it to another receiver near the vehicle.
The car mistakenly senses that the driver is nearby and unlocks automatically. These signal amplification attacks work from surprising distances, with devices capable of extending your key fob's signal from inside your house all the way to your driveway. The process takes mere seconds, and the theft could go unnoticed till much later. The surprising solution against such a sophisticated relay attack theft? Your microwave.
Brian Iselin
Why Your Microwave Keeps Your Car Safe
Your microwave oven is essentially a Faraday cage, a metal enclosure that blocks electromagnetic signals. When you place your keyless car fob inside and close the door, the metal walls prevent thieves from detecting or amplifying the signal.
The continuous metal mesh in the door and solid metal walls create an electromagnetic shield that stops radio frequency signals from escaping. However, there's a major safety risk. If someone accidentally turns on the microwave, you'll destroy both your expensive key fob and potentially your appliance.
Other Alternatives Against Keyless Relay Attacks
Security experts recommend storing your car key fob in a signal-blocking pouch, also known as a Faraday pouch, rather than risking the microwave method. These purpose-built pouches cost around $10-20 and eliminate the accidental activation risk. Effective alternatives include wrapping keys in aluminum foil, storing them in a metal tin, or investing in a dedicated Faraday box designed for key fobs.
Simply keeping keys far away from doors and windows, preferably in an upstairs bedroom, also makes relay attacks harder. The microwave trick works, but carries unnecessary risk. A proper Faraday pouch or strategic key placement offers the same protection without the danger. Your car's security really shouldn't depend on hoping nobody gets midnight snack cravings.
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