A pair of automotive researchers prove that cars can be hacked, just like computers. July 24, 2013 5:00 PM PDT (Credit: Forbes) As our vehicles become more like consumer electronics -- more like mobile computers on wheels, a pair of "digital carjackers" demonstrate what happens when all of the tech beneath the sheet metal falls into mischievous hands. More and more components of modern vehicles have begun to fall under the control of computers. And we're not just talking about infotainment and dashboard apps. Think about it: a modern vehicle's engine, brakes, electronic power steering, active safety systems, and sometimes even the throttle filter are ultimately controlled by little electronic brains somewhere behind the dashboard. In the video below, a pair of automotive hackers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek demonstrate to a Forbes staff reporter how they're able to spoof fuel levels and vehicle speeds to display incorrect data on the dashboard, trigger pre-collision system, take limited control of the electronic power steering system, honk the horn, tug at the driver with the seatbelts, and even deactivate the brakes. Scary stuff. To be fair, hacking the Prius in the video wasn't as simple as plugging into the dashboard USB port. Cars are traditionally closed systems, so the hacked vehicle's dashboard had to be almost completely disassembled in order for the demonstrators to access the many electronic control units (ECUs). It also looks like the prankster's laptop has to be wired into (or at least very near) the vehicle to trigger the events. However, as we approach the age of autonomous cars where a vehicle's dozens of ECUs become more centralized and more vehicles start to feature wireless communications, automakers will need to pay closer attention to these vulnerabilities.
A pair of automotive researchers prove that cars can be hacked, just like computers.
(Credit: Forbes)
As our vehicles become more like consumer electronics -- more like mobile computers on wheels, a pair of "digital carjackers" demonstrate what happens when all of the tech beneath the sheet metal falls into mischievous hands.
More and more components of modern vehicles have begun to fall under the control of computers. And we're not just talking about infotainment and dashboard apps. Think about it: a modern vehicle's engine, brakes, electronic power steering, active safety systems, and sometimes even the throttle filter are ultimately controlled by little electronic brains somewhere behind the dashboard.
In the video below, a pair of automotive hackers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek demonstrate to a Forbes staff reporter how they're able to spoof fuel levels and vehicle speeds to display incorrect data on the dashboard, trigger pre-collision system, take limited control of the electronic power steering system, honk the horn, tug at the driver with the seatbelts, and even deactivate the brakes. Scary stuff.
To be fair, hacking the Prius in the video wasn't as simple as plugging into the dashboard USB port. Cars are traditionally closed systems, so the hacked vehicle's dashboard had to be almost completely disassembled in order for the demonstrators to access the many electronic control units (ECUs). It also looks like the prankster's laptop has to be wired into (or at least very near) the vehicle to trigger the events.
However, as we approach the age of autonomous cars where a vehicle's dozens of ECUs become more centralized and more vehicles start to feature wireless communications, automakers will need to pay closer attention to these vulnerabilities.
