Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Using Tire Pressure Sensors To Spy On Cars

Posted by kdawson on from the privacy-under-pressure dept.

AngryDad writes "Beginning last September, all vehicles sold in the US have been required to have Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) installed. An article up at HexView enumerates privacy issues introduced by TPMS, and some of them look pretty scary. Did you know that traffic sensors on highways can be adopted to read TPMS data and track individual vehicles? How about an explosive device that sets itself off when the right vehicle passes nearby? TPMS has been discussed in the past, but I haven't seen its privacy implications analyzed before. Fortunately the problem is easy to fix: encrypt TPMS data the way keyless entry systems do."

7 of 203 comments (clear)

  1. RFID tracking by nguy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Tires already come with RFID tags, which can also be read and tracked remotely. Cars probably also emit all sorts of other unique signals that can be recognized and tracked.

    Of course, cars also come with this thing called a "license plate", which can also be tracked remotely and wirelessly.

    Basically, if you drive, you can be tracked.

    1. Re:RFID tracking by Introspective · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Basically, if you drive, you can be tracked. No. Certain objects attached to the car might be able to be tracked. There is a big difference between tracking tires, license plates, etc. and tracking people. A distinction which most posters seem to have ignored in their paranoia.

    2. Re:RFID tracking by Cid+Highwind · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Mostly because it's a distinction that's sure to be ignored by law-enforcement types too. Ever recieved a photo-radar, red light or toll-evasion ticket? It doesn't matter who was driving, if your car was at the scene of the crime you're responsible for the fine.

      --
      0 1 - just my two bits
  2. Hmmm.... by Otter · · Score: 3, Insightful
    How about an explosive device that sets itself off when the right vehicle passes nearby?

    Outside of Lebanon, I don't see this as being a huge concern. (And calling it a "privacy" issue seems a bit of an understatement.) The local governments aren't sufficiently motivated to fill potholes, let alone install IEDs specifically targeted at me.

    --
    What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
  3. Run flat tires need TPMS by enosys · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The article asks why would NHTSA choose TPMS and not run-flat technology. Run-flat tires cannot be used indefinitely while uninflated or underinflated. Generally, in such situations the sidewall supports the load, and the resulting stress on the sidewall damages it, eventually leading to failure. Furthermore, you might not be able to see that the tire isn't properly inflated. In order to prevent people from driving on underinflated run-flat tires until a catastrophic failure and possible accident, TPMS is required. Oh, and run-flat tires have other disadvantages too.

  4. Huh? by seanadams.com · · Score: 3, Insightful

    There is a big difference between tracking tires, license plates, etc. and tracking people.

    In what way is tracking a person's possessions NOT a damned effective way of tracking the person?!?!

    Do complete strangers drive your car often? So you see no need for concern until a tracking device is implanted directly into your skull?

  5. Re:Part of me feels paranoid now... by AHuxley · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Yes the use of flash triggers is interesting as it was used get the British Army's radio jamming devices
    The real fun is who first thought of it :-)
    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article1530661.ece

    --
    Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"