One of the benefits of the world that we live in is convenience. We can talk to home operating systems, we have hands-free calling, and we can program our homes and cars from a distance. But does that convenience come at a price?
One of the most common features of cars these days is keyless entry – made possible by proximity technology. Proximity technology allows the user to unlock the car and even start it without actually touching the key fob. As long as the fob is within a certain range of the vehicle, you can hop in and go. When the coded signal in the fob matches with the coded signal in the car’s internal computer, the vehicle’s systems activate, including the starter. This means that your keys can be buried in a pocket or at the bottom of a purse and you can still get into your car and go. Sounds like a win-win right?
As with anything in life, there are always drawbacks to consider like break-ins and theft, and proximity technology is no different.
The main step you can take to prevent theft is to block your fob’s signal from being duplicated or used by others. Key fobs with proximity technology use RFID or NFC signals to communicate between the fob and car door locks. This same technology is used in credit cards, garage door openers, and ID readers to communicate access through a signal. While it is not common, it is possible that this type of signal can be intercepted and even duplicated by thieves.
If you’ve ever heard of RFID-blocking wallets that protect your credit card chip signal from being duplicated, there are key boxes and pouches on the market with similar signal-blocking technology that prevent the signal from your keys from being emitted. You may want to consider keeping your key fobs in an RFID-blocking box when you’re at home and putting them in an RFID-blocking pouch while you’re out and about.
Certain fobs may also have helpful options to prevent keyless theft, so keep an eye out for these features in your manual. A few helpful features include a motion sensor fob which automatically stops sending out a signal if a key remains idle in one place or a setting to manually power the signal on and off. Having these features makes it easier to be in control of when the key is emitting the signal without the need for an external product to block it.
The bottom line
Overall, being mindful of where your keys are when you are not actively using the car and blocking the signal are the easiest ways to prevent key fob theft, whether at home or on the go. It doesn’t hurt to have a spare stored safely somewhere else in the house, too, in the event the worst happens and someone nicks your fob or fob’s signal. For more information about keyless fobs and preventing fob theft, call your local Pop-A-Lock or visit our website at popalock.com.
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Pop-A-Lock was founded in 1991 by local law enforcement officers who recognized the need for a mobile, on-site locksmith in their area. Since then, Pop-A-lock has grown to become one of the nation’s largest and most trusted local locksmiths, providing peace of mind to over 8,500 communities. In addition to automotive services, Pop-A-Lock also offers at-the-door residential and commercial services. To learn more, visit popalock.com.
