Car Hacking: In the Future, Will Your Car Catch a Virus?

[VW NOT V8]

http://gas2.org/2010/05/19/car-hacking-in-the-future-will-your-car-catch-a-virus

As automotive manufacturers are experiencing "Gremlins" in their product line, (ie; Toyota's stuck throttle syndrome) I had commented that with the mandate of OBD-II CAN & the widespread use of "Fly-By-Wire" throttle (used mainly for traction control), that there may be a potential for the introduction of a virus. A virus maybe contracted through the OBD-II CAN interface (mandated emission checks or scheduled maintenance) or possibly by simply playing a CD or DVD that interfaces with the OE system.

I am not in opposition to the OBD system nor the benefits contrived there of, rather I am troubled as to what perils we may be subjected to (safety in mind) by the potential introduction of software viruses.

It would have been simple to explain an accident before the advent of OBD. Now, we must question the validity of the drivers involved as to what really did happen.

So, what is next? FAA contrived black boxes installed in ALL OBD equipped vehicles? BTW, yes I am aware of commercially available data recorders that record events up and after an accident.

A concerned Dad,

Chris Andrews - The Mailman

[turbo_bob]

You bring up a valid point about future problems with new cars and viruses Chris. It could happen because the same people who wreck havoc on computers (because they can OR ego trip) could very well do this to the new cars.

As far as the Toyota deal, everything that I have read and in the years past, as well with the Audi deal, just chalk it up to stupid people and ambulance chasers.

Stay old school, drive a aircooled VW

[youngnstudly]

I still laugh about all the OnStar crap that GM advertises constantly. I always wonder "If they can unlock the door of your car using a global wireless signal, what the hell is stopping them from screwing with one of the drivers in your cars computer (PCM, EEC, etc) or even worse??? Your car could be running fine and GM decides one day that they need more money to bail themselves out so they send a signal to your car and cause a starting issue, or make your power windows roll up and down continuously so you have to bring it into them for repair." Nobody (but me) would be the wiser!!! Ever wonder why only the things NOT covered under warranty are the first to break or fail???

And don't even get me started on the "tattle-tale" function they provide if the car gets stolen or wrecked. What are all the lowlife thieves, drug addicts, drunk drivers, and joyriders supposed to do since they can no longer participate in the hobbies they have enjoyed for so many years? What, get a REAL JOB??? Please, be serious!!!!

Yes, these are some of the paranoid thoughts I have during any given day...I apologize for the rambling...

Stay old school, drive a aircooled VW

Well put!

Andy

[VW NOT V8]

I still laugh about all the OnStar crap that GM advertises constantly.

OnStar parody:   http://www.funnyhub.com/videos/pages/blonde-star.html

The Mailman