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?

 

[TimothyN]

They think these cars are being stolen and broken for spares.

So there is hope for the ZS?

 

[salty]

So there is hope for the ZS?

Nah, 2 chances, Bob Hope and No Hope.

 

[Lovemyev]

Or two chances, little or none

 

[salty]

Corrected me grammar.

 

[Joningy]

MG keyless entry cars do incorporate encryption and rotating codes to enhance security. Despite these security measures, keyless entry systems can still be vulnerable to certain types of attacks, such as:

Relay Attacks: Thieves can use devices to capture and relay signals between the key fob and the car, tricking the vehicle into thinking the key is nearby.

Replay Attacks: If a thief captures the signal from the key fob, they may attempt to replay it to unlock the car.

But I wonder if the car will run after being stolen, if parked by thieves and tried to restart if the code rotates & changes??

My guess is it probably won't!

After pretty intensive research, there are several possibilities for everyone with a keyless entry cars to help security.

1/ = do SFA, which most people do.

2/ = put keys in a Faraday pouch (a signal blocking pouch or box) but I'm not convinced it'll be effective if you use the key to unlock, if a thief with the right equipment is on the lookout.

3/ fit a ghost immobiliser, for most of us the downside is the cost, several hundred pounds

4/ = buy a steering wheel lock, probably my choice, a decent one can be bought on Amazon for under £20, it may not deter the most determined thief and in my opinion really doesn't need to be Thatcham approved, it's a visual deterrent and will slow down a thief.
YAOEMI-Universal-Visibility-Anti-Theft-Motor £17.99. The URL is so long I didn't copy & paste it in, Amazon is selling lots, some very expensive, this one is very similar to others more expensive. I'm likely going this route.

 

[Ian Key]

The URL is so long I didn't copy & paste it in,

If you click on the square with an upward arrow in the top right of the item's picture a drop down list appears. Click the copy link and a shortened code will be copied to your clipboard.

 

[Joningy]

If you click on the square with an upward arrow in the top right of the item's picture a drop down list appears. Click the copy link and a shortened code will be copied to your clipboard.

View attachment 39619

Thanks Ian. Well done, that's the one!
Looks robust enough to do the intended job of a deterrent and the best price I could see for very similar items.

Found it cheaper, but after reading the details, maybe NO!
But well into my retirement an easy licker may be welcome