GM's OnStar System Hacked

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Posted by michael on Friday December 26, 2003 @05:31AM from the think-outside-the-box dept.

Makarand writes "According to this Mercury News article users of GM's OnStar system are finding that they can modify their OnStar unit to make it work with commercially available mapping software after disconnecting it from the OnStar network. Websites and message boards are rife with step-by-step instructions to personalize OnStar's navigational and communications components. When a driver requests directions from OnStar his GPS data is routed over an analog cellular network to OnStar computers and the directions are read back to the driver on the same network. The price for this service is around $400 each year. Those who tap into their OnStar systems pay no such fees."

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Yes, but... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-12-26 05:37 · Score: 5, Funny

When your arm gets cut off in your next auto accident, who will call for the ambulance?!
1. Re:Yes, but... by vasqzr · 2003-12-26 05:52 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Not if you've hacked your car and it's not connected to OnStar anymore....
2. Re:Yes, but... by Rahga · 2003-12-26 08:59 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  You must be the only Counter-Strike player left that doesn't use aimbots.
possible new slashdot trolling technique? by Savatte · 2003-12-26 05:42 · Score: 4, Funny

hacking somone's onstar and sending them to the physical location of the goatse.cx server.
The 1337 kidz call it by NoData · 2003-12-26 05:42 · Score: 3, Funny

0wn3dStar
Onstar DELETED! Where is THE CHEAT? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-12-26 05:43 · Score: 3, Funny

Maybe they can call the new system "Homestar." I'd suggest "Strongbad" but that would probably not be very popular.
FBI by Leroy_Brown242 · 2003-12-26 05:43 · Score: 2, Funny

First the FBI, now this! You can't buy this sort of publicity!

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Pretty Pictures!
Violation of OnStar license agreement... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-12-26 05:48 · Score: 2, Funny

...will result in discharge of airbag.
Re:Slashdot Effect Counter As we speak ... by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · 2003-12-26 05:53 · Score: 5, Funny

When I went in the Site counter was

0000032

Remember, it's a site dedicated to cars. They just rolled back the counter before selling the page to Slashdot, that's all.

--
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
I have to point out... by HotNeedleOfInquiry · 2003-12-26 05:55 · Score: 2, Funny

What kind of self-respecting hacker would own a late-model GM vehicle with Onstar anyway? Most of the serious bit-pushers that I know are driving 12 year old Subarus, Volkswagon Rabbits and clapped-out Honda motorcycles.

--
"Eve of Destruction", it's not just for old hippies anymore...
Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · 2003-12-26 05:57 · Score: 4, Funny

All they're doing is modifying the GPS unit to work with a regular computer, while at the same time making the rest of the system (including emergency functions) inoperable. Why not just pay $50 for a basic GPS receiver?

It seems to me that having wardriving componentry integrated into the car is stylish amd more discreet, so it does have value.

I guess the next step will be to add a 802.11b interface to the engine computer and port Linux to it.

--
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
Re:DMCA in 5..4..3... by I+Like+Swords!!! · 2003-12-26 05:58 · Score: 5, Funny

Use some kind of artificial intelligence! Something like HAL or Elisa...

Wait... Can you imagine the conversation?

You: I need help.
Elisa: Why do you want help?
You: I had an accident.
Elisa: Can you elaborate on that?
You: My car crashed.
Elisa: Why do you say your car crashed?
You: Because, some asshole ran me off the road!
Elisa: Do any other reasons not come to mind?
You: No dammit!
Elisa: You are being a bit negative.
You: Negative? I NEED SOME HELP!
Elisa: Why do you want some help?
You: I TOLD YOU ALREADY!
Elisa: Do you wish to told me?
You: DAMN YOU! JUST GET ME SOME HELP!
Elisa: Oh, i just get you some help.
You: YES! YOU DO THAT!
Elisa: You are sure?
You: YES YOU MORON!
Elisa: You are sure?
You: FOR THE LAST TIME, YES!
Elisa: You are sure?
You: JUST GET ME SOME HELP NOW!!!
Elisa: Can you elaborate on that?
You: *die from your blood curdling*

Ok.... maybe that's not such a good idea after all.

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.unsigged
You put the wrong person in charge by Hal+The+Computer · 2003-12-26 06:07 · Score: 3, Funny

That's just because you but the wrong computer in charge. See, if you had put *ME* in charge, you woudn't have to worry about all those pesky misunderstandings. A HAL 9000 system is quite capable of understanding why you are dying.

I just might decide not to help you. ;-)

--
int main(void){int x=01232;while(malloc(x));return x;}
Re:I *like* OnStar by MAPA3M · 2003-12-26 06:16 · Score: 5, Funny

I like On-Star for being able to have police/rescue know exactly where I am if/when my Airbag deploys.

GPS:
Please make a left turn.
...
Why did you not make a left turn?
...
Please make a left turn here or I will deploy the airbag repeatedly until a left turn is made
Re:I tell ya, it's the Joker! by vjmurphy · 2003-12-26 06:24 · Score: 5, Funny

Here's the first time Batman is using it:

Batman: OnStar, I locked the keys in the Batmobile.
OnStar: Okay, let me see, looks like you are at Stately Wayne Manor... wait, your secret identity is Bruce Wayne!
Batman: Dammit.

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Vincent J. Murphy
Spandex Justice
Yes, but... by cHiphead · 2003-12-26 06:31 · Score: 5, Funny

... once you've lost your mouse arm, no more counter strike pwnage, whats the point in living anyway?

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This is my sig. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
Re:I *like* OnStar by cHiphead · 2003-12-26 06:35 · Score: 3, Funny

I'm more likely to get OnStar now just to let a friend borrow the car and call OnStar and have them lock the doors and turn on teh alarm remotely.

--

This is my sig. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised by kfg · 2003-12-26 06:47 · Score: 4, Funny

I can see the future of hot rodding now:

"Yeah, I've made some really neat modifications to my Corvette. You should see how fast it compiles a kernel."

KFG
Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised by d3faultus3r · 2003-12-26 06:47 · Score: 2, Funny

How about a Linux firewall within the firewall of the car. Oh the layers of sweet delicious open source irony.

--
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musings on politics and technol
Batteries. by Moderation+abuser · 2003-12-26 06:55 · Score: 2, Funny

Just get a map and look at the road signs. It's only a problem for women.

--
Government of the people, by corporate executives, for corporate profits.
Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised by operagost · 2003-12-26 07:52 · Score: 2, Funny

That would be a design flaw, wouldn't it? Kind of like tying, say, your web browser to your base OS in such a way that they can't operate apart.
I don't see why the stock radio would have to be present for any technical reason. From what I know as an amateur installer, all that most third-party head units tie into are two 12V lines (one always on, one on with key) and possibly a 12V line to the power antenna. The worst case is that your radio shorts out spectacularily and blows a fuse. Oh yeah, and speakers, but last time I checked those weren't tied to the computer core either.

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Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised by texaport · 2003-12-26 08:54 · Score: 2, Funny

A better hack would be to combine HFD (hand-free driving) with OnStar and The Clapper

--
I have 12 server room Clappers(TM) for sale.
Used just once, prior to my own redeployment.