Because you should put the car keys in the microwave every night (but without turning it on!)

Maybe you’ve never thought about it, but your microwave can become a precious ally against car thefts. In Italy, as in most of Europe, Thieves no longer need to break a window or force a door: today enough intercept the electronic key signal. And while we sleep peacefully, convinced that our car is safe under the house, someone may have already cloned and made it disappear in total silence. The solution? A gesture as simple as it is unsuspected: put the keys in the microwave (off!).

How the trick of the RF amplifier works

In Italy in 2024 they were stolen Over 75,000 carspart of a total of 136.201 Vehicles (including cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles). A growing number, given that Electronic keys are becoming the favorite access route by thieveswho don’t even need to touch them. Just be near the victim’s home and use a RF signal amplifier (radio frequency) for capture and replicate the code emitted by the key, also through the walls.

In practice, A thief approaches your homemaybe while you watch TV or sleep, intercept the key signaland transmits it in real time to an accomplice located near the car. The latter can like this open the doors, turn on the engine and escape. Everything in a few seconds, and without leaving traces.

Another technique? THE signal disturbers: while pressing the button to close the car, the thief blocks the command, and you think your car is closed … instead it remains open.

Domestic methods to stop the signals of electronic keys

So what can be done to protect the car? An object present in almost all Italian kitchens is enough: The microwave oven. This appliance, in fact, acts as one Faraday cagecapable of block electromagnetic waves both incoming and output. Inserting the electronic key (always in the oven off!), The signal cannot be picked up from any external device.

If you fear that someone in the house can ignite it by mistake, it is better to choose the refrigeratorwhich offers similar protection. Even one well -closed metal boxwithout cracks or holes, can be effective. It is enough that the metal blocks the signal and that the lid adhere perfectly.

Faraday case: small, cheap and perfect for keys and credit cards

For those looking for a solution designed specifically for this type of problem, There are shielding cases, called “Faraday case”. They are easily found online, on sites such as Amazon and they cost about 10 euros. In addition to being cheap, they are light, comfortable to carry with them and they work very well.

These cases block electromagnetic waves, preventing thieves from intercepting the signals of the keys or even some contactless cards. In short, a simple, accessible and really useful solution to avoid bad surprises.