Arkay

Why some are keeping key FOB's in the freezer to protect from power amps


http://blog.nwautos.com/2015/05/the_...u_to_know.html

Vette_DD

Bogus. Not happening with C6s.

hig4s

You may not have heard of it happening to anyone know, but it does not appear to be bogus.
Conceptually it is quite possible.

airmed2

My answer is.....drum role..... State Farm.

Arkay

.... and that's why we pay big bucks for insurance!

I did think it was interesting

EVRose

For this to work the fob signal back to the car would have to be amplified as well. How is that gonna happen?

Kent1999

Ok I'll play -- the mysterious black box is next to the car, and thus it can amplify the car's challenge signal so it can reach the fob. What then amplifies the fob's signal which is 50+ feet away, so it can answer back?
(Edit: beat by EVRose!)

Overall, the story sounds bogus. If it is truly a omni frequency amplifier, why would the thieves need to take it out of the backpack and draw attention to it at all?

cclive

Good point...I call BS on this. Also, C6s are not desireable cars to steal anyway...

The prius owner in the article should move if he has people breaking into the car 3 times in a month.

acheman8

Plus I would think that keeping the fob in the freezer would create condensation which would hasten the demise of the fob...

v26278

The amplifier would also have to be an RF transmitter/receiver and work and integrate itself into the system as part of network. Also, I believe the system is encrypted. It is also possible to use technology to calculate the distance of the fob from the car based on the duration of transmission times, so a simple verification signal could be triggered that would defeat that type of hacking.

All I know, is that my insurance company automatically gives me an anti-theft discount based on GM's standard equipment, without my having to ask for the discount. If such a simple hack were possible, that discount would be long gone.

drews60

I've seen this video reported on the news. Someone walks up to a car with a box and pop, the doors open and they are stealing the contents of car, cameras, purses, etc. but they don't drive away.

The cops want one of these boxes to figure out how it works. They too assume it's an amplifier.

If they drove off and lost the fob signal would the car stop running?

This report suggested storing keys fobs in a metal box. I guess the metal box acts as an rf shield blocking signals.

drews60

And yes, they can drive off with your car

http://www.networkworld.com/article/...less-bmws.html

R&L's C6

Yet another reason for a keyed ignition......

ttx350z

Or just use a Faraday cage.

Those small RFID blocking card sleeves would work. Just take it out when you're using it and stick it back in when you're not.

ETA: I found one of those sleeves and put my key fob in there. Walked to my car and it opened the door with no issues. So either those sleeves don't work or the signal is still to strong due to the proximity.

Huskerman

Doesn't matter, even if they do get in the dumb bastards won't know how to drive a stick shift.....

Vette_DD

Percentage-wise, many more times key-ignition stolen than fob-ignition cars.

kliph

Or just wrap the FOB in tinfoil.

oldtee

Rule 1. Don't leave anything of value in the car.

If Rule 1 doesn't work for you.

See Rule 2.

Rule 2. Don't leave anything of value in the car and increase your insurance.

GL10DR

not happening period!


I am going to put my FOB in the freezer ........ really? maybe we should keep the remotes for the garage doors there too

Firewater Burns

The sleeves are soft Faraday cages? Was the end of the sleeve doubled over so the fob was surrounded by the material? I wouldn't think the FoB would be stronger than a phone. If its big enough, put a cell phone in it, and see if you can call it?