Keyless repeater thefts

[mullermn]

Hi,

I have a 63 plate GTI with keyless entry and I was wondering if there's any information on whether I should be worried about these thefts using keyless signal repeaters that I've read about?

Our key (when you use the buttons, at least) definitely reaches from where the key lives to the driveway so if the golf is vulnerable to this technique then it'd probably work here.

I've looked at wallets for the keys to prevent this sort of thing, but that obviously removes a lot of the benefit of having keyless if you then need to remember to faff around wrapping the key up every time you put it away.

Cheers

[Jim_mk7.5]

Yes, you should be worried - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47721590

1 car every 6 mins in the UK thanks to keyless.

Think most people probably leave the key in the wallet which then makes it less likely to pop in your trouser pocket.

[kmpowell]

A common misconception is that these relay thefts simply grab the signal and repeat it, that's not true, they also extend the signal, so you could put your key 100 yards away from your house but it would make no difference, the system will throw the signal from the box to the repeater from a long long way away.

As default on all my 'keyless' cars I use both a Disklok (plus the Steering wheel protector) and a pouch.

Luckily having keyless/KESSY is no longer that much of a security risk on the Golf 7.5, because it can be disabled. Lock the car with the fob, then within 5 seconds press the keyless button/sensor on the door handle. That switches off the keyless-entry system until the next time you unlock the car with the fob. Perfect for when leaving a 7.5 overnight or if in a particularly vulnerable place.

It's all about getting into routine and your security procedures become second nature. It's a bit of a faff at first, but once you have a routine with the Disklok it'll feel normal.

[dereks]

I have a faraday bag that I leave in the kitchen keys go in every time.

[mcmaddy]

Have had two pouches since day one (1 for set used and other for spare) and haven't given relay theft a second thought. I pay my car insurance so if it is stolen then it's replaced. Why worry about something that might never happen.

[Phuture]

Silly question, maybe...

But, can you not get faraday cases that are just like covers for the key itself and not an actual pouch?

Id be happy to not have keyless entry and use central locking to open/close the doors as usual :/

[davkav]

Keyless is so handy though.

As the lads have said, get yourself a farady pouch and get in the habit of putting the key into every night. It becomes second nature eventually.

[Phuture]

So really, with whats been said and the fact you can now disable keyless entry using the 5 second trick, you only really need to put the keys in a pouch when stored at home? And maybe not even that if you get into a habit of the disable trick.

I know this kinda negates the whole point of keyless entry though, mmm

[fredgroves]

You can disable keyless entry using OBD11 etc. There is a thread on it on here.

The thing to remember about the repeater theft attack is that it can happen ANYWHERE - not just on your drive.

At any time when the bad guys know where the key is and where the car is they can do it.

One of the other places its likely to happen is when you park your car in a car park. One guy follows you to the meter when you go pay, the other scuzzbag stands next to the car.... you walk across the car park and zoom off goes your car.

So don't just use the faraday pouch when you are at home - it needs to go into it EVERYTIME.

Does it defeat the point of having keyless? Yes. Sorry.

[fredgroves]

BTW I wonder if it is possible to order a new GTI without keyless.... its certainly possible for VW to have the parts to do so (its an option in most countries and not standard on lower Golf models).

If/When I order my GTI next year, I think I'll be insisting on that.