Any Faraday box/bag recommendations

[emkay 10,338]

Near us, there’s been quite a spate of keyless car thefts. From what I’ve read, a small Faraday box would certainly help to reduce the risk of theft. Reading product reviews on Amazon suggests that these boxes mostly work though not necessarily for long. Is the simplest test to put a mobile in such a box to test if there’s a signal? If there isn’t a phone signal, would a key definitely be safe? I’m really clueless about this kind of thing! I found an app that tests various signals though seemingly this doesn’t work well at all.

Does anyone have any product recommendations? Home made efforts aren't like to work. Many thanks in advance.

[optimista 5,934]

Did those steering wheel locks go out of fashion ? KISS. As in keep it simple and stupid.

[snowingagain 5,464]

The cheaper locks are pretty useless, very cheap locks, so unlikely to deter someone who has the nous to hack your key. A car alarm is good, as long as you are near the car? A Faraday cage box or pouch works well but have no personal recommendations. You need to keep it close to you. Friends have had their house burgled while they slept, their car was filled up with the loot and driven away.

[emkay 10,338]

@Optimista….good point! I’ve never used a steering lock. Back in the UK, almost all cars had alarms. Not so much here. Seems that aluminium foil is the simplest protection. My husband is determined to ‘bastel’ something himself. We might as well fashion or tin foil hats at the same time! 😆

[emkay 10,338]

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[emkay 10,338]

Back in the UK, before keyless cars, I had a few cars broken into and also two stolen despite car alarms. It was so common then. The last time, the police advised me never to take car keys to a bedroom as there’s a higher chance of encountering a thief. Best to leave keys close to the front door though not in sight from outdoors.

Here, there’s also been a few occurrences of stealing high value wheels. Cars left on bricks!

As I’m clueless, I’m guessing that although my husband has an alarm on his car, wouldn’t this be useless if the key is hacked?

[keith2011 2,702]

I read somewhere that some makes of the "keys" can actually be turned off so he amplifiers the thieves use will no longer work, apparently this can be done with a special keypress combination, you should check you owners manual to find out if yours have this feature.

[snowingagain 5,464]

ADAC have some info and tips here

https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/ausstattung-technik-zubehoer/assistenzsysteme/keyless/

[toBnruG 1,173]

@emkay, I just ran a test on my wife's car using alumin(i)um foil. A single-layer of foil around the key was enough to stop it working. When the foil was folded to a pouch-like shape with an opening, the key worked again but only intermittently.
I wouldn't waste money on something so simple unless it cost just 5€ or so, but everybody has their own idea of value for money. For certain, any product you buy is going to work, but anything your husband whips up is going to work just as well.

I'm not sure I understand the application though? Is the box to keep at home so nobody steals the signal through the walls, and the bag to keep your keys in whilst in your purse / pocket? For the home you can definitely just line a drawer for all your keys with alu-foil and be good to go. Out and about, perhaps a professionally made pouch is nice to have but pretty impractical - specially if you've got a car which opens the trunk when you wave your foot underneath!

[emkay 10,338]

@toBrnuG. From my husband’s experiments alu foil is definitely the easiest and most cost effective solution. 2-3 layers is best. The thing with lining a drawer or box is that even a tiny gap or tear reduces blocking. Normal biscuit type tins and heavy metal cash box didn’t work though our small ancient heavy pressure cooker did!

The portable pouches are indeed for when away from home. Seems that most are made with a faraday fabric type lining that often stops working after a short time due to thinning or tears.

[fraufruit 42,667]

I'm just curious, emkay. How many cars have been stolen in your area in this way?