Simple yet effective: Guarding against car theft with beer cans and thermoses

Robbers are continuously devising new techniques for property theft. Recently, they've started using what's commonly referred to as the "suitcase" method. This strategy involves gaining entry to a vehicle using a special device that resembles a small piece of luggage.

How does it work? The thief positions themselves near the wall of the building where the key that enables the car doors to be opened is located. With the suitcase device, they intercept the signal constantly emitted by the transmitter. Normally, this signal has a limited range, but with the use of this "suitcase", that issue is eliminated. The device functions as a relay, capturing and transferring the signal.

The captured signal is relayed to a second device, which operates inversely - when it's brought close to the car, the doors unlock. Without additional security measures, once the door is open, the car can be started and driven away.

So how can you guard against the "suitcase method"? Numerous strategies involve blocking the emitted signal. However, the simplest and most affordable solution seems to be wrapping the key in aluminum foil. This is a tested, reliable method.

For several months, I used aluminum foil to secure my car key, but regrettably, using thin aluminum foil proved to be an expensive solution. A strip of foil about 6–8 inches long, which was sufficient for wrapping the key 3–4 times, would only last for 2–3 days. After four days, the foil would tear. Fortunately, my father introduced me to an alternative.

One day, my father recommended keeping the key in a beer can. The can, like the foil, is made of aluminum, allowing it to block the signal. This hack proved to be spot on. Out of curiosity, I decided to see if a thermos could also do the trick. After testing this method on two cars, it proved successful: the car didn't pick up a signal from the key.