Auto-Hacking: Car Wars Continue

Detroit took notice when two researchers demonstrated they could hack into a Jeep Cherokee’s radio and take over control of the vehicle. In response, Chrysler announced an unprecedented cyber-recall, calling on 1.4 million owners to turn in their cherished chariots so the automaker could fix a software vulnerability.

There is a serious debate over how seriously to take the threat of auto-hacking. On the one hand, it is hard to make a case that criminals will find auto-hacking worth all the effort. There are far simpler ways to make money from car crime.  On the other hand, malicious actors might come up with some exotic reasons to ruin the ride in your Lexus.  Privacy issues may be an even bigger concern.

Car makers are moving to beef-up cyber security on their products. In part, they hope to preempt more proposed regulatory red tape from Congress.

Anyway, as long as the cars don’t start coming after us like they did in movies such as Christine  and Maximum Overdrive there is probably some time to figure this out.