Materials that conduct electricity, such as aluminium foil, can effectively block a car key signal. This works by creating what is known as a Faraday cage, which is an enclosure that blocks electromagnetic fields. While simple household items like foil can potentially work, many people turn to specialised products. However, relying solely on signal-blocking materials for your vehicle security is a risky strategy. For comprehensive car theft prevention, it's crucial to look beyond basic signal blocking and consider advanced solutions like a Ghost 2 Immobiliser and S5 Trackers.
Understanding Relay Attacks and Keyless Car Theft
Modern keyless entry systems have made our lives more convenient, but they have also introduced a significant vulnerability that criminals are quick to exploit. This method, known as a "relay attack," has become one of the most common ways thieves steal modern vehicles.
A relay attack involves two criminals working together with two electronic devices. One person stands near your home or wherever you keep your keys, using a device to capture the faint signal constantly emitted by your key fob. This signal is then relayed to a second device held by an accomplice standing next to your car. The car is tricked into thinking the key is present, allowing the doors to be unlocked and the engine to be started. The entire process can take less than a minute and is done silently, without any forced entry.
The rise of this technique is a major factor in the increasing rates of vehicle crime. It highlights a fundamental weakness in convenience-focused technology and underscores the need for more robust vehicle security measures beyond what manufacturers provide as standard.
Why Signal-Blocking Pouches Are Not Enough
In response to relay attacks, many car owners have turned to Faraday pouches. These are small, lined bags designed to create a Faraday cage around your car key, blocking its signal and preventing thieves from capturing it. In theory, they are a simple and affordable solution.
However, Faraday pouches have significant limitations that make them an unreliable primary defence.
• Wear and Tear: The metallic lining inside the pouch is fragile. Constant use, such as putting keys in and taking them out, causes the material to crease, fold, and eventually break down. Small tears or holes can develop, creating gaps in the protective shield that allow signals to escape. Many users are unaware that their pouch has lost its effectiveness until it is too late.
• Human Error: The pouch is only effective if you remember to use it every single time you put your keys away. Forgetting just once leaving your keys on the kitchen counter or in a jacket pocket leaves your vehicle completely vulnerable to a relay attack.
• Questionable Quality: The market is flooded with cheap, low-quality Faraday pouches. Many are not built to a high standard and may not block signals effectively even when brand new. It's difficult for the average consumer to test and verify the quality of a pouch.
While a high-quality, well-maintained pouch can offer a layer of protection, relying on it as your only line of defence is a gamble. True peace of mind comes from installing security hardware that physically prevents theft, even if criminals manage to capture your key's signal. For a truly secure solution, you need to explore advanced systems like the Autowatch Ghost 2 Immobiliser and S5 Trackers.
The Superior Solution: Immobilisers and S5 Trackers
For robust car theft prevention, you need a multi-layered approach that goes beyond simply blocking a signal. This is where advanced aftermarket security systems prove their worth, providing a nearly impenetrable defence against even the most sophisticated thieves.
The Ghost 2 Immobiliser
The Ghost 2 Immobiliser is a revolutionary piece of vehicle security technology. Unlike traditional alarms, it is a small, discreet device that is wired into your vehicle's CAN (Controller Area Network) bus system. It has no key fobs or LED indicators to give away its location.
The immobiliser works by requiring a unique PIN code to be entered using your car’s existing buttons such as those on the steering wheel or centre console before the engine will start. Without this sequence, the car remains immobilised. This means that even if a thief performs a relay attack, clones your key, or steals it from your home, they will not be able to drive the vehicle away. It effectively neutralises the threat of keyless theft.
The Power of S5 Trackers
Pairing an immobiliser with a Thatcham-certified S5 Tracker creates the ultimate security package. S5 Trackers are the highest standard in vehicle tracking and recovery. They feature Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) tags. If the vehicle is moved without one of these authorised driver tags present, an instant alert is sent to a 24/7 secure control centre.
The control centre staff will then contact you to confirm a theft and, if necessary, liaise directly with the police to track and recover your vehicle using real-time GPS data. This proactive monitoring ensures a rapid response, significantly increasing the chances of getting your car back. Many high-value vehicle insurance policies now mandate the installation of S5 Trackers.
Invest in Unbeatable Vehicle Security
While understanding what material blocks a car key signal is useful, it is not the foundation of a solid security strategy. Faraday pouches offer a flimsy and unreliable defence against determined criminals. To truly protect your investment and ensure your peace of mind, you must adopt stronger measures.
A combination of a Ghost 2 Immobiliser to prevent the theft in the first place and S5 Trackers for recovery if the worst should happen provides an unparalleled level of protection. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Explore professional-grade car theft prevention solutions and make your vehicle a hard target for thieves. To secure your vehicle today, view our market-leading Autowatch Ghost 2 Immobiliser and S5 Tracker systems.
