Report: Automakers Fail To Fully Protect Against Hacking

An anonymous reader writes with news about a report by Senator Edward Markey on the security of new vehicles. "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, a member of the U.S. Senate is asserting. Basing his argument on information provided by manufacturer, Sen. Edward Markey has concluded that "many in the automotive industry really don't understand what the implications are of moving to this new computer-based era" of the automobile. The Massachusetts Democrat has asked automakers a series of questions about the technologies — and any safeguards against hackers — that may or may not have been built into the latest models of their vehicles. He also asked what protections have been provided to ensure that information computers gather and often transmit wirelessly isn't used in a harmful or invasive manner."

Comments

Demo of such on 60 Minutes 2/8/15

[peter303]

DARPA has a car-hacking app. The 60 Minutes correspondant was driving a new car in an empty parking lot. The DARPA rep turned the brakes off, the accelerator off, the wipers on at various times from a Wifi enabled laptop. The driver was flustered.