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 epyx · 2003-12-26 10:16 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  Slightly off topic..
  I am a paramedic in Ohio, and the OnStar system called our dispatchers stating there was an accident with ejection, giving us the freeway the guy was on and what exit he was at. I guarantee this guy didn't hit his OnStar button, as he was shot twice and ejected, then subsequently turned into about 6 pieces of hamburger meat as he hit the exit sign.
  
  Apparantly, OnStar calls the police and EMS to an accident when your airbag goes off, and they have a sensor to detect when you're sitting in the driver's seat. Airbag went off, senors in the seat said 'hey wait, no driver no more' and called the correct ambulance company to respond. Kind of neat when you think about it.
Consider the cost by dacarr · 2003-12-26 05:40 · Score: 5, Insightful

People will pay about US$30-35 to have this and get directions based on numerous things, or they can hack it and find a way to collect the data locally. Most people who hack this aren't going to be the type to need somebody's help for $30/mo though, and many people who can't hack this but can read maps might just have it done.
So in the end, you'll be left with people who have an Onstar box and will rather pay the $30/mo as well as their cellphone bills, blissfully unaware that they can make 911 calls for free on disconnected cellphones.

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This sig no verb.
DMCA in 5..4..3... by CarrionBird · 2003-12-26 05:41 · Score: 5, Insightful

How long will it take for GM to claim that the Onstar devices are licensed, not sold? Either way, a big part of onstar is the live operator service for emergencies, how do you replace that?

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Free Mac Mini Yeah, it's
1. 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.
  
  --
  .unsigged
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
How about unlocking doors? by Big+Ryan · 2003-12-26 05:54 · Score: 5, Interesting

Has anyone seen the OnStar commercial where the OnStar rep opens the vehicle doors remotely?
How long do you think it would take to come up with a crack that allows third parties to do the same? It would make stealing cars so much easier...
Re:Cool and all, but by AKnightCowboy · 2003-12-26 06:06 · Score: 5, Informative

Err , given that you have to phone up onstar to find your location , hence use a phone anyway , what exactly is the issue here? YOu stop the car to read your had held GPS and pay nothing , or you stop the car to phone onstar and pay $$$$$$.
Have you ever used Onstar before? At least with my Grand Prix you just push the blue button, it cuts out the radio and you have hands-free communication with the person. It's kind of neat, but I've never used it so I didn't renew it when my free 1 year was up. The only advantage I saw was that if you're in an accident and the airbags deploy they'll call you to make sure emergency services gets to you. I didn't think it was worth $17 for this safety package though since I have a cell phone already. I never used it for directions since I'm a man... we never ask for directions!!! Now, if I could use my otherwise useless onstar system built into my car with a laptop then I find it interesting.
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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