Devices capture radio signals emitted by vehicles’ digital keys to intercept the signal and prevent the door from being locked. There is an extremely simple and affordable shield: aluminum foil.
The arrival of new automotive technologies, such as the digital key, made life easier for drivers, but at the same time ended up giving vehicle thieves the opportunity to use electronics as an ally to steal or steal cars.
The practice, which became known as Relay Attackclaimed several victims around the world and also in Europe, using devices that capture radio signals emitted by controls to intercept the signal and prevent the door from being locked, thus facilitating access.
Just this week, the National Republican Guard (GNR) warned of the new car theft technique, warning that mainly affects modern cars.
Ironically, however, a extremely simple trick and, more than that, cheap and accessible, it began to make it difficult — or, at least, try to prevent — criminals from using technology to take possession of your property: the use of aluminum foil as a kind of “physical barrier” against Relay Attack.
How aluminum foil helps
The aluminum foil acts as a kind of “Faraday cage”, preventing the key signal from being captured or amplified. By wrapping the controller in this type of paper, the driver significantly reduces the risk of digital attacks. It is a cheap, practical solution that can be applied without the need for sophisticated equipment.
Car safety experts confirm that, although not infallible, the method is effective in hindering the action of criminals.
There are more robust alternatives, such as wallets or boxes with electromagnetic shieldingbut aluminum continues to be the cheapest and most accessible option for more and more people to protect themselves from the actions of those with bad intentions.
