How much information does your Key Fob actually store?
How Much Information Does Your Key Fob Actually Store?
As we have covered before, car theft is no longer about breaking windows but now entails a lot of computer work. Many car manufacturers work to secure the cars themselves and spend countless hours on fine tuning their technology, but just how much of that is spent on the most accessible part of the car, the key fob.
Wireless entry and start may seem like a step in the right direction as far as automation but it is not the best for your personal security.
Some newer keys do store vehicle data. For example, a February 2024 BMW service bulletin for models including the X6, X7, XM, 7 Series and X1 covers Condition Based Service data (maintenance information) that is saved to the key. What a key stores depends on the brand and model, so check your owner's manual.
Can someone read the data on my key fob?
Reading the data stored in a key usually takes physical access to the key and special tools. Relay attacks are a different risk: thieves don't read your data, they pass your key's signal to the car so it opens. A Faraday key fob cover blocks that signal while the key is inside.
Storing your car's key fob, especially if it is a higher end model, in a portable Faraday key fob cover is the easiest and simplest protection for your car. Simply drop your keys inside while you are not driving and have the security and peace of mind of our patented protection.
How Does Faraday Bag For Car Keys Work?
Key fobs emit signals in a simple way using a technology called radio frequency (RF). Inside the key fob, there is a small electronic device that contains a transmitter. When you press a button on the key fob, it sends a signal to the receiver in your car or another device.
When the receiver in the car or device detects the radio waves at that specific frequency, it recognizes the signal and performs the desired action. For example, if you press the "lock" button on the key fob, the receiver in the car receives the signal and locks the doors.
Our key fob covers have a built-in Faraday cage that blocks the signals in order to prevent keyless entry cars. Faraday bags are designed to prevent any external devices, or car thieves to intercept your key fob’s signal. Car thieves use techniques like relay attacks to capture the signal from a key fob, amplify it, and trick the car into thinking the key fob is nearby.
Faraday bag for car keys acts as a barrier that isolates the key fob from the outside world, creating a protective shield against unauthorized access.
This article was updated & reviewed by SLNT's Privacy Experts on 5/16/2023.