Car Hacking

[breeves002]

Applies to every EcoBoost car and really any car with CAN Bus. Even cars without it possibly for the brakes at least.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/07/24/hackers-reveal-nasty-new-car-attacks-with-me-behind-the-wheel-video/

[SHOdded]

I don't think the industry takes these tech threats seriously enough.  The only reason the military is involved is so they know how to eavesdrop and control automobiles with this embedded tech.  But hopefully this article will lead to more awareness and locking down of vulnerabilities, just like any other IT business.

[breeves002]

I agree. The threats are real now and unfortunately probably nothing will be done about it until someone is injured.

[SoCalSHO]

The way I understand this, there is one of two ways this can happen. 1) Hardwired to our cars and 2)Through the wireless communication system. I do not believe that any of these things can happen in our cars without our knowledge. Looking to the hardwired option, well obvious, you need to be physically wired to, as in this case, a laptop. As far as being being connected wirelessly(sp?), it seems to me to be referring to cars that have the On-star type of system, where there is a separate communication system. For the SHO, you need your cell phone to hook up to Sync. So I guess if they can break into your cell phone, they can then get into Sync, which may may able to get into the rest of your car. I know my phone has it's own security, which I paid for and installed. I do not believe anyone will take the time to break into my phone, to get onto Sync, to tighten my seatbelt (or jerk the wheel/honk the horn).

That is my view of this car hacking thing.

[SoCalSHO]

Nothing will be done until somebody, by their own fault, crashes their car, blames it on hacking. Just like what happened with Toyota and their drive by wire system causing crashes, yet it turned out to probably be floor mats. Once one Californian hears about somebody claiming their car got hacked, causing them to crash, there will be a hundred more. Just the way it is.

I suppose more security couldn't hurt, at least to stem the tide of people making those claims, and to put peoples minds at ease.

[breeves002]

Yeah I was thinking about the drive by wire thing too.

What about bluetooth OBD-II adaptors? They have low profile ones that most people would never notice. Someone in another car near them could easily use their computer to connect to the modules.

[SoCalSHO]

Whenever I hook up to bluetooth, I either need to be looking for, or set it to be discovered. On my phone to Sync, I need to enter a code. But here are some BT ranges:

    Class 1: range up to 100 meters (in most cases 20-30 meters)
    Class 2: range up to 30 meters (in most cases 5-10 meters)

Those are the two most common protocols used in BT. since you are always moving, a car that pulls up next to you, probably would not have the time to hack your BT.

There is also a class 3, but that only has an ~1 meter distance. I do not know what ford uses.

[Larrylu]

Yeah I was thinking about the drive by wire thing too.

What about bluetooth OBD-II adaptors? They have low profile ones that most people would never notice. Someone in another car near them could easily use their computer to connect to the modules.

The MX is pricey but is supposedly encrypted for protection against that very threat. Don't know how much safer it really is but I don't see any other device making any anti hacking claims. Coupled with the extra communication speed which makes the displayed gauges look so much smoother, and the fact that you can leave it plugged in, maybe it's worth the few extra bucks to buy the MX.