The “$17 device” headline traces to a 2015 report, not a verified current price or a measure of how common keyless car theft is today. It described a possible relay attack: a car is tricked into believing its key fob is nearby. Drivers can reduce this risk by securing both fobs, checking a signal-blocking pouch, and adding physical security.
What the “$17 device” headline actually means
In April 2015, CSO reported on a New York Times story about keyless-entry vehicles. It attributed the idea to Boris Danev, identified as founder of 3DB Technologies and a security researcher, and said some lower-range devices were reported to cost $17. Techlicious repeated the report later that month.
That figure is a historical price claim in secondary reporting—not a verified current market price, proof that a particular device is commonly used, or evidence that every keyless car is vulnerable in the same way. The article also recounted a Toronto Police warning, but that is secondary reporting of an alert from 2015, not a current Toronto Police notice.
What is keyless car theft?
Keyless entry lets a vehicle unlock when its fob is close, without the driver pressing an unlock button. That differs from a remote where the driver must press a button to unlock. In a relay theft, criminals use equipment to make the car believe its fob is nearby, potentially allowing them to unlock and start the vehicle. Police.uk and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary describe the risk at this high level. A keyless system is not, by itself, proof that a car is susceptible to every relay method; vulnerabilities and available protections differ by vehicle.
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How to protect a keyless-entry car
Secure both fobs
- Keep the main fob and spare away from the vehicle, out of sight, and away from the front door, as Police.uk advises.
- Use a screened or signal-blocking pouch for the fob. Check that it still blocks the signal; police guidance does not establish that every pouch works with every fob or prevents every kind of theft.
Add a physical barrier
A steering-wheel lock adds a visible physical restraint beyond the car’s electronic security. Hampshire Constabulary also recommends considering security-rated pedal boxes and gear-stick locks. Hertfordshire Constabulary says an approved, strong, full-cover steering-wheel lock can prevent a vehicle from being driven even if its security system is bypassed. Check the particular lock’s suitability for your vehicle rather than assuming one type fits all.
Check the vehicle’s settings and security
- Consult the manual or ask the dealer whether the fob has a setting to disable its wireless function.
- If buying a used car, ask whether its keys have been reprogrammed.
- Ask the manufacturer or dealer about model-specific security upgrades and immobilisers.
Secure the parked car
Lock the vehicle and, where practical, park it in a locked garage. Hertfordshire Constabulary also identifies lighting and CCTV as possible general deterrents; neither should be treated as a substitute for securing the fob or adding vehicle security.
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What police figures do—and do not—show
Hertfordshire Constabulary reported that vehicle thefts in its area rose by more than 11% in 2024 compared with 2023, while noting local variations. That is a jurisdiction-specific figure published on 7 January 2025, not a national rate or a current 2026 statistic. The available reporting does not establish a current nationwide prevalence for relay theft or a current verified price for the headline device.
Quick Recap
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- 【ANTI-THEFT FARADAY KEY FOB PROTECTOR】 Features dual-layer shielding technology to isolate RFID, Wifi, Bluetooth and GPS signals. Punwocy Faraday Pouch for Key Fob helps prevent relay attacks and deters remote access to keyless entry systems, keeping your vehicle secure from digital theft.
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- KEY FOB SIGNAL BLOCKER – This car key fob signal blocker case uses a secure fold-and-close design to help isolate wireless signals when fully closed, reducing exposure to relay attacks, RFID scanning, and unauthorized keyless-entry access. A practical Faraday pouch for key fob storage at home, work, or while traveling.
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