Theft avoidance

[Joningy]

Key cloning by thug car thieves waiting nearby to copy the key signal when the car is locked and unlocked, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that by using the external door button to lock the car, that NO radio signal is emitted and so therefore prevents cloning, especially useful in dodgy and busy untrustworthy areas.
Can anybody confirm either way if this applies to MG locking system?

 

[salty]

Key cloning by thug car thieves waiting nearby to copy the key signal when the car is locked and unlocked, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that by using the external door button to lock the car, that NO radio signal is emitted and so therefore prevents cloning, especially useful in dodgy and busy untrustworthy areas.
Can anybody confirm either way if this applies to MG locking system?

It's possible s'pose. But you've still got to have the key on your person. To use the button on the door handle. So I presume there is a signal from somewhere.
Would be good if that was true. As I only use the door lock buttons. Someone cleverer than me, will be along, shortly, I'm sure.

 

[DBedford]

We own a ZS, so no threat of being stolen, more likely to get sympathy notes put under the wiper blade !!

 

[Joningy]

It's possible s'pose. But you've still got to have the key on your person. To use the button on the door handle. So I presume there is a signal from somewhere.
Would be good if that was true. As I only use the door lock buttons. Someone cleverer than me, will be along, shortly, I'm sure.

Haha salty, we'll have wait for the clever boys & girls to get back from their full time day of scamming

 

[TimothyN]

We own a ZS, so no threat of being stolen, more likely to get sympathy notes put under the wiper blade !!

Yeah. I leave the ignition keys in both aeroplanes in a last ditch hope...

 

[Lovemyev]

What about when you lock / unlock the car, instantly slip your key into a faraday pouch ?.
This will prevent the pond life from grabbing / scanning it ?.
All of these things are only a method of trying to slow these people down.
Owners of luxury & fast performance cars are the main target I think.
If they want it, they will get it !.
Very expensive Land Rovers have a target on their backs unfortunately.
These people are professionals and come equipped with all they need.
Enter the vehicle, then head straight for the telematic unit, then switch out the ECU to start the car with a preprogrammed key.
All of this takes less than 5 minutes, it’s scary!.

 

[Joningy]

What about when you lock / unlock the car, instantly slip your key into a faraday pouch ?.
This will prevent the pond life from grabbing / scanning it ?.
All of these things are only a method of trying to slow these people down.
Owners of luxury & fast performance cars are the main target I think.
If they want it, they will get it !.
Very expensive Land Rovers have a target on their backs unfortunately.
These people are professionals and come equipped with all they need.
Enter the vehicle, then head straight for the telematic unit, then switch out the ECU to start the car with a preprogrammed key.
All of this takes less than 5 minutes, it’s scary!.

Yes defo scarry, Lovemyev.
I'm no expert in modern keyfob security, but I think it's the actual act of pressing the lock and unlock buttons on the keyfob which transmits the signal that the thief is able to clone, but of course it must transmit a small signal to the car to be able to press the door handle button.
It may be worth trying to see how far away the key can be from the car before it stops working, interesting!
I was only reading this morning the most stolen car in the UK is the Ford Fiesta.
Ev's seem to be more difficult to steal, many companies increasing their keyless entry systems, not sure MG is at the forefront of this tech.
The Kia EV6 being popular to thugs.
It seems like a simple but good quality Thatcham approved steering wheel security lock is becoming popular as it slows down the thief and is very visible, leaving thieves to look elsewhere (hopefully)

 

[Lovemyev]

I was only reading this morning the most stolen car in the UK is the Ford Fiesta.

Only a few weeks ago, I was watching a YouTube video on a couple of friends who run a business buying / repairing damaged vehicles.
They were speaking on the Ford Fiesta and said, that since Ford had stoped production of the Fiesta, the theft of this vehicle has shot through the roof !.
They think these cars are being stolen and broken for spares.

 

[Susanna]

@DBedford - your post was funny, but I love my ZS…….

 

[Ian Key]

When key-less unlocking first came out only one code was used so it was possible to scan it and use it to unlock the car. Now the key and car now cycle through a series of codes so it changes each time it's used which is why the thieves now use scanner/transmitters to boost the signal from the key.

 

[Joningy]

When key-less unlocking first came out only one code was used so it was possible to scan it and use it to unlock the car. Now the key and car now cycle through a series of codes so it changes each time it's used which is why the thieves now use scanner/transmitters to boost the signal from the key.

Thanks @Ian Key,
So has cycled codes made MG any safer from theft?
By pressing the door button (with the key nearby) is this a safer method of locking the car, ie does it still emit a strong enough signal for thieves to clone?