Community Chat

[Marp2]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Automakers are cramming cars with wireless technology, but they have failed to adequately protect those features against the real possibility that hackers could take control of vehicles or steal personal data, according to an analysis of information that manufacturers provided to a senator.

Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., asked automakers a series of questions about the technologies and any safeguards against hackers built into their vehicles. He also asked about how the information that vehicle computers gather and often transmit wirelessly is protected.

Markey posed his questions after researchers showed how hackers can get into the controls of some popular cars and SUVs, causing them suddenly to accelerate, turn, sound the horn, turn headlights off or on and modify speedometer and gas-gauge readings.

The responses from 16 manufacturers "reveal there is a clear lack of appropriate security measures to protect drivers against hackers who may be able to take control of a vehicle or against those who may wish to collect and use personal driver information," a report by Markey's staff concludes.

Today's cars and light trucks typically contain more than 50 electronic control units — effectively small computers — that are part of a network in the car. At the same time, nearly all new cars on the market today include at least some wireless entry points to these computers, such as tire pressure monitoring systems, Bluetooth, Internet access, keyless entry, remote start, navigation systems, WiFi, anti-theft systems and cellular-telematics, the report said. Only three automakers said they still have some models without wireless entry, but those models are a small and declining share of their fleets.

Full article: http://apnews.myway.com//article/20150209/us--cars-cybersecurity-beffadc04e.html

[Junebug54]

I just cannot allow myself to worry about all of the ""what could happen""... I live in MA and not a big fan of Markey.

[kdgn]

Wonderful.....

One or both of our cars communicate with the manufacturer. I can have my very own page where I can see updates about my particular vehicle. I haven't done it yet but I know it's there.

They mess with the a/c or heated seats OR the heated steering wheel and all bets are off....

But seriously, if I can read my email on the nav screen or even have texts read to me by the little "voice"--

[Qwackertoo]

On 2/8/2015 Marp2 said:

Markey posed his questions after researchers showed how hackers can get into the controls of some popular cars and SUVs, causing them suddenly to accelerate, turn, sound the horn, turn headlights off or on and modify speedometer and gas-gauge readings.

Would be a whole new kinda bumper cars. Yikes.

[Lion]

[madcity411]

With all this.......my greatest fear, are all the idiot drivers.

[NoelSeven]

60 Minutes just did an expose of this, including how anyone with know-how could take over your car, Completre control: turning off your brakes, controlling your gas pedal, etc.

[NoelSeven]

Tonight, one of the news stations reported Samsung smart televisions can listen in to your home conversations and RECORD YOUR CONVERSATIONS. THEY PLAN TO SELL THE INFORMATION.

[Toppers]

On 2/8/2015 NoelSeven said: Tonight, one of the news stations reported Samsung smart televisions can listen in to your home conversations and RECORD YOUR CONVERSATIONS. THEY PLAN TO SELL THE INFORMATION.

Noel, I have heard about this too, regarding smart TVs. That's pretty scary.

[Marp2]

On 2/8/2015 NoelSeven said: Tonight, one of the news stations reported Samsung smart televisions can listen in to your home conversations and RECORD YOUR CONVERSATIONS. THEY PLAN TO SELL THE INFORMATION.

That could be interesting. Wonder who wants the information learned from my talking back to or cussing out the TV and/or computer or shooing the animals. That is about the only conversation they are going to hear at my place.

Actually, I have a smart TV but never attached it to my wifi so I guess I'm safe.

ETA my TV is a Toshiba so if anyone hears anything about that brand eavesdropping I'd appreciate a heads up.