Hackers hijack software in a car and remotely control the steering, brakes and horn using a laptop

Daily Mail ^ | 25 Jul 2013 | VICTORIA WOOLLASTON

[Svartalfiar]

The steering on all cars is a mechanical linkage. They apparently were able to tamper with the power assist. I don’t see any way that they are able to change the direction of the steering.

For most cars that's true, but as more and more models come out with 'parking assist' and such, the computer can take control of the steering.

[roadcat]

LOL my 67 Camaro may be safer to drive than I ever expected....

Same goes for my son-in-law's '49 Ford coupe. It's sitting in my driveway and I need to move it often. No emergency brake, no windows except front windshield, no wipers... And a loose steering column. Pull the steering wheel towards you and it comes off. He manages to drive it somehow. Oh, it's a chopped roof so it would be hard to crawl out the window opening. But I'll take that car over these remote control things they're making.

[Navy Patriot]

Very interesting, this system could completely overrule the driver.

Does anyone else have this already deployed?

[rockrr]

I saw that in an episode of NCIS ;-)

[Charles Martel]

LOL my 67 Camaro may be safer to drive than I ever expected....

I know my '65 Mustang Fastback is out of Skynet's reach, at least for the time being. It's safer than it used to be, too - I installed a collapsing type steering column with a rag joint and ditched the old "spear-o-matic" original. It has a dual-reservoir master cylinder and 4-wheel disk brakes now, as well as a 4-point roll cage with 3-point belts (as befitting its Shelby GT-350 homage paint job).

Subtle, it ain't - but I control every moving part.

[mandaladon]

I’ll keep driving my 1966 Karmann Ghia

[Charles Martel]

Yep, my wife's RX-350 has the electric steering setup you describe. And all the articulated bits and pieces on the inside that require sensors and computers to operate. I'm not a technophobe, but having a computer network between me and the powertrain or steering just creeps me out.

BTW, I'm a Niven fan. Great screen name.

[Charles Martel]

But I'll take that car over these remote control things they're making.

Well put. New cars are more like full-scale versions of R/C hobbyists' model vehicles, with the radio control transmitters hidden inside and disguised as normal controls.

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

Nice car!

[mandaladon]

I paid about $3,700 when I bought it brand new in 1966, while stationed in Germany.

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

Now worth 10X that price?

[FreedomPoster]

Not that I know of.

[mandaladon]

Probably

[Black Agnes]

I’ve got a 1979 Mercedes Benz 240D. Likewise.

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

Additional pension plan!

[arasina]

I’m taking this with a little grain of salt here.

The lights in this vehicle are analog. I don’t see how you turn them on electronically. I don’t see how you control the steering or brakes either.

Perhaps things worked different in 2010, as mine is a 2006, but I’m still shaking my head here.

Are you sure your screen name isn't really DoubtyOne? :-)

[sten]

we’ve heard that the reporter’s death in CA was ‘consistent’ with a automobile cyber attack.

which means, they’ve been doing it long enough to know what ‘consistent’ looks like

[SpeakerToAnimals]

I wondered how long it would take for somebody to recognize my screen name. You win a cookie! Like the Kzin, my strategy has not evolved beyond scream and leap.

[DoughtyOne]

No...

[V K Lee]

Thank you Daily Mail. Not all scandals are phoney. But all of us do need tin foil hats! Hastings’ death just became another CIA/FBI/BHO situation which will need more cover up. No question, we need more pencils and a larger sheet of paper.