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Security shortcomings in new cars could nurture a new branch of the infosec industry in much the same way that Windows' security failings gave rise to the antivirus industry 20 or so years ago, auto-security pioneers hope.
Former members of Unit 8200, the signals intelligence unit of the Israel Defense Forces, have banded together to create a start-up developing technology and services designed to protect connected cars from next generation hackers.
Argus Cyber Security has developed an intrusion prevention system "appliance" for cars instead of computers. The Israeli start-up is also offering consulting services to car makers, who it claims are waking up to the nascent threat.
Car thieves are already taking advantage of electronic car entry and ignition systems to steal cars. Recent reports suggest that insurers are refusing cover for keyless Range Rovers in London following the rise of targeted attacks on keyless cars.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 06 2014, @11:44AM
Just don't connect the cars.
Or save yourself money and buy a beater. Yeah a Tesla would be cool but I do just fine when I buy a $1200.00 used car because I'm handy with tools. My latest theory is that I can get a lot more miles out of a beater if I replace everything that's likely to _ever_ fail all at once immediately after I purchase it, rather than replacing parts only after they've already failed. That would involve changing all the fluids - radiator coolant, oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, brake shoes, the solenoid, fuel filter and most of the hoses. Yes this would cost money but if I bought a $1200.00 car then spent a thousand dollars on those new parts and fluids, potentially I could get as many miles out of it as a far more expensive car.
$1200.00 cars tend not to have keyless entry systems.
From time to time I amuse myself by contemplating how I could take control of an entire car sales lot, so that when a salesperson is just about to close a sale, I pop the trunks or roll down the windows of every single car in the lot.
Don't think I couldn't figure out how to do that!
The problem is that the people who design the wireless control systems may not be so much careless or negligent, it simply never occurs to them that security, encryption or what have you could ever be a concern. So for example there may be a very simple way to figure out the right codes just by looking at the Vehicle Identification Number.
It's quite common for military radio signals to activate garage door openers in neighborhoods located close to bases.