The new key fob enters a sleep mode after 40 seconds without movement, after which it will not respond to hacking attempts
Ford has launched an aftermarket key fob upgrade that makes its keyless entry models far less vulnerable to theft via relay attack.
The new fob is equipped with a motion sensor that detects when the key has been stationary for more than 40 seconds.
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How to avoid keyless theft
Once the 40-second time period passes without movement, the key fob enters a sleep mode and will not respond to any hacking attempts, including relay attacks where thieves use a special device to boost the signal between a key inside a house and a car outside, so they can unlock it and start its engine.
Ford’s keyless fobs are designed to only work within a two-metre radius of the car. The new key will reactivate as soon as it detects motion again and will unlock the car as soon as the owner takes it into this two-metre vicinity.
The upgraded fob now comes as standard with all new
Fiesta and
Focus models. In addition, existing owners of these models can purchase the key as an aftermarket upgrade. It costs £65 for the Fiesta and £72 for the Focus, and takes just under an hour for a mechanic to install.