And I understand that for some reason beyond my understanding the cars now have wifi.
When I purchase a computer I get in there and disable, uninstall and delete items I don’t use like games…extra os and tools I won’t use.
So how do I turn off the garbage that is extra on a new car? Like Wifi? I certainly do not want my car broadcasting anything to the world?
What are people doing out there with these new cars?
Insight would be appreciated.
LOL.....technology shock; that’s all you are experiencing if you haven’t bought a car in a while. Don’t let the gadgetry intimidate you. Much of it is highly useful; some of it....not so much. Well designed cars have such systems with a wealth of information. Others....again, not so much. GPS, satellite radio, backup cameras....all nice. Bluetooth so you can pair your phone (use hands free), etc....not bad, but I don’t use that. Just know there’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it it’s really not that bad.
What it really means is the nail in the coffin of the shade tree mechanic.
The Wi-Fi is very likely a subscription service, requiring active participation on your part. For example, the car could connect to your smartphone via bluetooth and then serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot. This would require you to actively connect and permit this connection via your smartphone.
What bothers me, to no small degree - is this opens your car to a variety of malicious attacks. A car hacker could potentially create a virus that would propagate through the Wi-FI, and infect other cars. If your car’s network is connected to the security system, or the engine/transmission controllers - a malicious hacker could cause your car to shut down, or could hack into the Wi-Fi and set it to unlock with his personal fob - thereby bypassing your key and locking system.
This whole idea of incorporating wireless connectivity and merging this network into an automobile is wrought with peril.
Some ideas are neat; for example the idea of purchasing “Upgrades” via software for your car/transmission (say, winter driving transmission settings dictated by season, exterior temperature, local weather road reports and GPS position) are very neat. But the question I do not know the answer to, is how well is the individual car protected from malicious software. Could a malicious hacker cause your engine to go to full power, the transmission to lock in drive, and lock your steering wheel? Essentially turning your car in to a ballistic weapon? I simply don’t know.
For us, we are ignoring them. For the same reasons we ignore all the airhead smartphone crap. Fashion statements for the pierced generation.
My ten year old Subaru has a digital clock. That is as far as it needs to go. I do fiddle with the engine CPU for more power of course..............
For example,my car has a feature...which was optional and I *very* much wanted...that fully applies the brakes when sensors in the front of the car detect that a collision is imminent.
If the wifi bugs you get the electrical manual and ground out the antenna leads with a jumper wire...its easy to break hi tech with lo tech
Another brilliant manufacturer offers "on the fly" firmware updates over the air. Really cool when your car starts an update in the middle of the night when you're driving across the desert. Somebody forgot to check to see if the vehicle was being operated before doing the upgrade.
You're about to enter a whole new world have having bad guys trying to hack your car as well as incompetent manufacturers dropping bad updates on your very expensive new toy.
Another brilliant manufacturer offers "on the fly" firmware updates over the air. Really cool when your car starts an update in the middle of the night when you're driving across the desert. Somebody forgot to check to see if the vehicle was being operated before doing the upgrade.
You're about to enter a whole new world have having bad guys trying to hack your car as well as incompetent manufacturers dropping bad updates on your very expensive new toy.
The real question is can you buy a car specifically asking that this stuff not be installed.
Do the “Base” modles come with out it.
I had to do a special order on my 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 dump to get manual locks, manual windows, a 6 speed manual trans, and rubber floor, with AM/FM and one CD player.
They looked at me like I was from Mars.
The more computer stuff they put in the more the Gov’t will track you for more taxes etc...
I hope there will be a way to disable any “BlackBox” things they will start puting in cars (if they have not already started doing so). Next will be taxes by the mile.
Google the words ... hack car ECU 2012
Here’s one of the results, written just 3 months ago: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9229919/Car_hacking_Remote_access_and_other_security_issues
Good luck. Many people share your viewpoint/concern.