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Lexus Computers Infected Via Bluetooth
Country_hacker writes "SCNews is reporting certain models of Lexus have been found with corrupted operating systems in their on-board computers. Evidently the virus got transferred through the Bluetooth interface. It's still unclear whether or not the computers run Symbian."
It is understood the virus could affect the navigation system of the Lexus models, it transfers onto them via a Bluetooth mobile phone connection. It is still unclear whether the cars in question use the Symbian operating system which has recently been under attack from various worms and viruses.
This is a car that is full of wires and is basically a large chunk of metal. Explain to me why we are using Bluetooth instead of a wired solution. I don't see the advantages here. What I do see are large privacy implications and holes for infection... We are worried about RFID tags and readers installed along the highway? Why they don't even need to add the RFID tags to the wheels. Just have all the car's devices communicating through Bluetooth. The car owners think their sweet, overpriced, GPS navigation system is badass and the government gets to see where you were going, how fast you were going, and where you are going to. Perfect.
"I've even seen screenshots of major commercial aeroplanes with Windows 2000-based operating systems," said Mikko Hypponen, director of anti-virus research at Finnish firm F-Secure. "Cars are an obvious target for viruses. It's okay if you don't use the operating system for the engine and the brakes, but when you do..."
While Windows 2000 is adequate for my home computer to surf the web and read email (after proper precautions are taken) it is absolutely NOT adequate for flying an airplane. I am not worried about worms and viruses infected an airplane running Windows 2000 (and I'm not sure why it was mentioned in the article as it really isn't related) but I am worried about the stability of the OS and the implications it may have.
For now I'm sticking to my handheld GPS and windshield mounts. The only way it can be infected is if I sneeze on it and the only way that someone else could read it from 15 feet away would be with binoculars or a telephoto lens.
BTW, Bill Roehl is a known Saturn owner. He traded one in for another in 2002. That information is about as useful as knowing Bill Gates auctioned his 1999 (non BT equipped) Lexus off for charity.
I rather doubt the OS in the vehicle is covering critical components such as breaking. The thought of a mobile virus is disturbing though.
Gimme that booze you little pumpkin pie hair cutted freak!
My dad used to own one. Easy and cheap to fix is one thing. Having a fire extinguisher always handy is another!
There are a huge number of yeast infections in this county. Probably because we're downriver from the bread factory.
well if the virus can infect the cars "operating system" what would stop it from trying to get into the onstar system? It would be pretty nasty to have your car get turned off remotely while driving.
Get a horse!
the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Funny thing is 'Aeroplane' is exactly the kind of thing a non-native English speaker like myself could say. We may be able to pass for natives (if you can't hear our accents) but sometimes we betray ourselves by using slightly archaic words.
I remember saying 'thrice' to an American once. He thought I was quoting Shakespeare!
X.
I've even seen screenshots of major commercial aeroplanes with Windows 2000-based operating systems
... but we don't. This is the Navigational System- and it isn't clear that it was adversely affected by the virus! I'm glad they caught this now, BEFORE it caused major problems.
He's (probably) talking about in the cabin. If that's the case, so what? Worst case: passengers can't watch the inflight movie. (I might even be grateful for that)
Cars are an obvious target for viruses. It's okay if you don't use the operating system for the engine and the brakes, but when you do...
One of the BIG things drummed into me during flight training was: fly the airplane. It doesn't matter if the nav systems are acting up. The same applies to automobiles. (Though I'm sure there will be accidents "caused" by crashed Nav. systems)
Bill Gates is a known Lexus driver. In 1999 he auctioned one for charity.
I can't decide if this a non-sequitir, or a wonderfully subversive way to relate insecurity and viruses with Microsoft/Bill Gates.
Whether it runs Symbian is irrelevant.
No, wait. No it's not. There still doesn't exists a single Symbian VIRUS which could SELF-REPLICATE. Because it should be impossible.
If a phone asks you:
a) Random guy is sending you a file, do you want to receive it?
b) This file is an installable application with name XYZ, would you like to install it?
c) The origin of this application could not be verified, unless you trust the source, it is not recommended to install it. Would you like to install it anyway?
d) Application XYZ want's to use bluetooth interface, do you allow this?
Do you answer YES to each of these questions?
I wouldn't.
Anyway, if this one truely replicates without user intervention, there must exists a way to execute the code. What is the normal way to achieve this on PC? Stack/buffer flaw within a privileged process.
Now, I'm going to say something which will come and bite me in the ass: There is no way to execute code 'accidentally' in Symbian.
If you have evidence to the contrary, I'd be most interested in how it is done...
Sorry about my pompous attitude. I'm sure someone will figure something out in the future, but right now, is there a way?
Bot Assisted Blogging
Windows has always been very secure in it's original intended environment. Attached to nothing but a power source and a printer. It is when it is allowed to communicate with other computers that security is completely lost.
Professional Politicians are not the solution, they ARE the problem.