Some vehicle owners are turning to an unexpected household appliance to deter thieves from stealing their rides. With the majority of cars using proximity keyless technology to unlock and start, thieves have found a quick way to hijack cars. Using a technique called relay theft, they are able to clone the signal from a key fob and use it to open and start the car.
For this to work, the key fob still has to be near enough to the vehicle to send a signal, like if it’s hanging up inside your front door while your car is parked on the curb. The key fob continuously emits a signal if it is within range of the vehicle, and hijackers can pick up and copy that signal.
That is, unless you store your keys inside the microwave oven instead. Since microwaves contain solid metal walls and metal mesh on the door, they act like household Faraday cages. Electromagnetic signals can’t get in or out of the microwave, meaning the thieves can’t copy them. Just don’t forget they’re in there when you make popcorn for movie night.
