Why put car keys in aluminum foil?

Sure! Here’s a fun and informative article about the curious practice of putting car keys in aluminum foil:

Why Put Car Keys in Aluminum Foil? The Curious Case of Key Protection Explained 🔑🛡️

You may have heard the tip before: wrap your car keys in aluminum foil to protect them from thieves. But why would anyone do that? What’s the deal with car keys and aluminum foil? Let’s unpack this interesting practice and see what it’s all about.

The Technology Behind Modern Car Keys

Modern car keys are more than just metal blades; many now include key fobs with remote entry and push-button start systems. These key fobs communicate with your car via radio frequency identification (RFID) or similar wireless signals.

While this technology is convenient, it has also opened the door for a type of theft called relay attacks.

What Is a Relay Attack?

In a relay attack, thieves use devices to capture the wireless signal from your key fob inside your home and then relay it to your car, even if the key is nowhere near the vehicle. This tricks the car into thinking the key is nearby, unlocking doors and even starting the engine.

How Aluminum Foil Helps

Aluminum foil can act as a simple Faraday cage — a barrier that blocks electromagnetic fields, including the signals from your key fob. Wrapping your keys in foil can help:

• Block RFID signals so thieves can’t pick up your key’s wireless code.
• Prevent relay attacks by shielding the key from being “pinged” remotely.
• Add an extra layer of security without expensive gadgets.

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