[MississippiMasterpiece]

[brooklin]

There may be viruses in my '67 mustang, but they aren't in the electronics.

[Banjoguy]

..sounds like one of the 'Millenium bug' fear merchants.

[nuconvert]

"rumors that a virus had infected Lexus cars and S.U.V.'s"

Well, that must explain all the accidents, death and destruction done by those nasty SUV's. ;~ )

[Hardastarboard]

an antiskid system, designed to help keep a car from spinning out of control, links sensors in the steering, brakes and throttle, and can effectively seize control from the driver.

The computer takes over my car in an emergency? I don't THINK so. The PC I'm working is untrustworthy as hell just for surfing the net. I'm not trusting my life to a computer to manage my car's steering. Not yet any way.

I will say that when I saw that Microsoft was getting involved in the competition to create auto electronics, the possibility of viruses becomes much more real. You'd have to go to AutoZone to buy anti-virus software if they were involved.

[GBA]

The more we depend upon something, the more vulnerable we become. Cars are one example, but also consider the newer airplanes with all glass cockpits. Almost no mechanical gauges anywhere. All fly-by-wire or fly-by-light controls for all aspects of aircraft control. It's just a matter of time. Not if, but when. It's a common theme in science fiction that will soon be science reality.

Have you ever watched Battlestar Gallactica? The machines, the Cylons, were able to take over because all of the humans' computer systems were linked. When the Cylons attacked, they sent a command over all of the linked computer systems telling them to shut themselves down. Then the Cylons attacked and the humans couldn't defend themselves.

Perhaps the computer virus will be the terrorist's next weapon of choice.

[Enterprise]

I found a computer cutie!

[nightdriver]

This issue should be extended to the much-touted "fly by wire" control systems of modern airliners.

Imagine someone who had been a programmer at an airplane manufacturer turning postal and selling the codes and the method of overriding them to someone like Al-Queda!

They wouldn't even have to be aboard the aircraft to take it over and fly it into a skyscraper somewhere.

"Drive-by wire", or "fly-by-wire" could conceivably have a serious downside.

[Wiz]

It depends on rather the drive-by-wire system is connected to the (car navigation) computer by network and is accessible. It may also depend on the operating system and the computer language it use. If the drive-by-wire is a stand alone system from a network, the chance that it may cause accident is low.

[HangThemHigh]

I think all of the faulty code is between the ears of certain operators. Lke the interlocks which should inhibit drinking and driving.

[CrazyIvan]

SkyNet has become self-aware and has taken over my Jeep!

[null and void]

I think I'll keep my '86 Volvo a bit longer...

[The Great RJ]

Viruses in embedded auto computer...possible. However, look at the source of many recent computer viruses and worms....teenage and twenty something script kiddies and hackers with a PC, Internet connection and lots of time on their hands. It would probably take more than these guys to hack into a car computer system.

[Bon mots]

Must be a slow news day.

OTOH - Now maybe we know what makes SUVs kill!