Galt's Gulch

Your car isn't safe

Posted by $ blarman 8 years, 9 months ago to Technology
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If you own a newer car, I'd check to see if this technology is native. If it is, I'd make sure its patched or I'd sell the vehicle ASAP!
SOURCE URL: http://www.wired.com/2015/07/hackers-remotely-kill-jeep-highway/

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  • Posted by $ Susanne 8 years, 9 months ago
    As soon as the companies started selling their "smart parking" and "protective lane control" options on their car (to allegedly keep you safer), allowing the car to override you, I knew this was coming. It's why I wouldn't have any of that "stuff" on my car...

    Something kinda nice about having a "normal" vehicle where you control the vehicle, not the other way around. Just wait until something like ISIL figures this out, and starts playing destruction derby on the interstate...
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    • Posted by garz 8 years, 9 months ago
      Electronics are great (until they fail) My 2008 Chrysler has been sitting in the dealer lot waiting for a part (Wireless Control Module) for the last 3 months!!!
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  • Posted by Flootus5 8 years, 9 months ago
    What does native mean in this context? What is native to what? Native usually means belongs?

    But, the bigger picture. I wish I hadn't sold my old 1970 Chevy pickup years ago. The only enviro controlling device it had was the PCV valve. A straight six 235 with single jet Rochester carburetor. Simple distributor with points and rotor, so easy to work on, no matter where you were. You could sit inside under the hood there was so much room. That was the only way I got out of Death Valley one time.
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    • Posted by $ blarman 8 years, 9 months ago
      So native with regards to software means being built in by the original manufacturer. In the case of Jeep, it is because they are utilizing a technology called Uconnect, which is where the security flaws are. Any other car manufacturer also using Uconnect is potentially vulnerable as well. To compound the problem, however, the vehicle has to be taken to a dealership to have them patch the system with new hardware or the car remains vulnerable to these types of hacks.

      Me? I like the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid. I don't need all the electronic doohickeys and geegaws in my car. Give me a manual seat adjustment, manual windows, manual transmission, manual door locks, etc. Oh, and manual control of my lights, please! (Can you tell I dislike electrical problems?) Electronic timing is great for fuel efficiency, but it doesn't need to be accessible via a cell phone!
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  • Posted by NealS 8 years, 9 months ago
    I heard on the news, someone said that they hacked the brakes. You mean to tell me someone actually builds a car that the braking system is hackable from the internet? Is the media hyping this a little?
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    • Posted by VetteGuy 8 years, 9 months ago
      My guess is that they can disable the brakes through the computer-controlled ABS. Why anyone would tie the safety systems of the car in to the internet-based entertainment/navigation system is beyond me.
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  • Posted by $ jlc 8 years, 9 months ago
    I am glad my Jeep is a 2000 (and Wm's is a 2001). I need to get my old VW back on the road...

    White hat hacking of voting machines, pacemakers, and cars is doing us a great service. I want these things to be computerized and work - but people keep releasing vulnerable hardware and we are well past the age of innocence when this should happen.

    Lock all of these computerized devices down and let's get on with progress.

    Jan
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  • Posted by wiggys 8 years, 9 months ago
    this is good fodder for 0 to talk about standard shifting , no power windows or seats and all the other things that were available on 1950 vehicles with 4 cylinder engines for better gas mileage. you cars are safe its the other guys cars that aren't.
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    • Posted by gafisher 8 years, 9 months ago
      Don't have to go back quite that far. My favorite of the cars I own is an '86 4-cyl 5-spd with nothing powered (but it does have A/C). High 40's gas mileage, can break any speed limit I've seen, and almost any repair is a backyard shade-tree project (though frankly it hasn't required any major repairs in 250,000 miles).
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  • Posted by freedomforall 8 years, 9 months ago
    Great article, blarman. Thanks!
    Just installed a new head unit in my car yesterday to a bluetooth capable model ;^)
    Been thinking about writing some software to access the car's CAN, too.
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  • Posted by gafisher 8 years, 9 months ago
    Fixing the Jeep's vulnerability is free and easy - http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/... - but given how "connected" self-driving cars have to be, there's going to have to be more than a little attention paid to this possibility.

    Imagine everything on a cybertized I-80 being locked and split up into groups to terrorize communities along the way.Then imagine this was done by an out-of-control government ...
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  • Posted by $ Stormi 8 years, 9 months ago
    When I got my 2010 Camaro, I called OnStar, which makes me uncomfortable anyway, and asked if they could turn the car off is stolen. It was one of two GM cars which they could not. I saw no other reason to stay connected to the service which made me uneasy anyway. Now, I am glad they could not do so, as someone else cold too. My Corvette is a 2002 and my husband's Challenger is a 2009. Maybe not a good idea to upgrade. I was eying the new 2018 Camaro, but do not like all the screens and endless technology. I loved my 1978 Camaro, never broke down, no computer, just a diminishing unibody, RIP old pal.
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