Hackers have figured out how to break into your car's computer.
After several months of research and testing, Charlie Miller and Chris
Valasek will publish detailed blueprints of the techniques to attack
critical systems in the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape. They will make
this knowledge known through a 100-page white paper.
According to
their report, a hacker can control your steering wheel or suddenly slam
on the brakes at 80 miles per hour. Or they can disable your braking
system at slow speeds. No matter how hard you step on the brake the car
will not stop. In other cases, they can accelerate your car when driving
at slow speeds.
In their demonstration, they used a laptop
computer while sitting in the automobile. They did not research remote
hacking because another group had already done so. However, that group
is unwilling to publish their findings. It is rumored they used
Bluetooth systems and wireless networks in 2011 to break into a
vehicle's computer system.
Sounds like James Bond, doesn't it?
Already
we are bombarded with notifications about purchasing antivirus software
for our computers. Now we should be on the lookout for the same
software to protect our automobiles.
This news sets up a theme for
World War III. The new mercenary will be the hacker, who is frequently
teased and called a nerd, living at home with his parents and sitting in
his bedroom orchestrating an attack. They will be able to immobilize an
entire nation by controlling vehicles. At worst, they could take the
lives of many by causing accidents on highways and city streets.
While
this possibility seems far-fetched or too distant in the future,
technology and software vulnerabilities make it a reality. If you have
On Star, it may be wise to check with them to see if they are taking
measures to ensure their system can protect you. They are already set up
to control your vehicle through a wireless system.
On another
front, there are hackers who have figured out how to override the door
locks on luxury cars like Bentleys, Porsches, Audis and Lamborghinis.
The researchers were planning to present their findings at a technology
trade show. Except, Volkswagen obtained a restraining order from the
British high court to prohibit the researchers from presenting their
findings.
For now, we may safely ride and park our automobiles.
Moving forward, we will have to take precautions that have never been
considered. On the other hand, it would seem those who drive the old
classic cars from the days when computers were not used could be immune
to this threat.
If you are not driving an old classic, you should
be nice to the nerds. If the hacker/nerd becomes the vicious soldier of
war, you may be first on his or her list.
By
Ted Santos
No comments:
Post a Comment