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Security firm McAfee has hired a man to break into high-tech cars. But fortunately Barnaby Jack will be working to combat rather than promote crime.
The hiring is an attempt to combat an unfortunate result of more vehicles getting high-tech automated systems: as with most computer equipment, they are prone to interference from hackers. Toyota and Chrysler are also known to be working on similar projects.
Exactly how serious that threat is can be disputed: Reuters quotes one source who claims that it’s possible to kill drivers by causing vehicles to crash, though there’s no evidence of such an attack ever happening.
Bruce Snell, who is heading McAfee’s work on car security, refused to rule out the possibility of hackers causing a crash: “I don’t think people need to panic now. But the future is really scary”
There are three main problems beyond the simple fact that autos are increasingly reliant on computer systems to monitor performance and manage features such as lighting. The first is that, with space at a premium, many such systems use wireless communication which opens them up to attack without the need for physical access.
One example of such a “back door” for hackers that has been used in a demonstration is the RFID tags used on tires to warn drivers when the tires are getting worn.
Secondly, automakers want to offer users the convenience of plugging in their own devices. That’s fine with a basic mp3 player, but once you get into smartphones you’re effectively adding an extra computer to the picture and possibly even internet access, both of which increase potential vulnerabilities.
Finally there’s the simple issue that automakers don’t specialize in computers and — as a very generalized whole — the industry doesn’t have as much experience in dealing with viruses and other security threats.
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