Cybernews released an eye-opening experiment in which security researcher Sam Curry and automotive hacker BusesCanFly demonstrate how easy it is for cybercriminals to take control of any car. Not only are personal vehicles in danger, but ambulances, police cars, and large commercial fleets, with implications that could possibly cause life-threatening harm.
Modern cars are no longer just machines. They're more like computers on wheels, and the video shows how easy it is to use a custom-built app to track and unlock vehicles with minimal data, even remotely.
“We could get a full copy of someone’s location history in seconds, honk their horn, unlock their car, open their trunk, and view their cameras,”
Car data reveals routes, relationships, and allows vehicle hijacking
According to Curry, alongside improving overall connectivity, the risk of exploiting vulnerabilities grows, including easily accessible personal information, not only from the vehicles, but hacking the car dealerships themselves.
“Some companies will store years' worth of your location history, as we saw after hacking Subaru, where I was able to retrieve over two years' worth of 10-meter precise driving history of my mom's car knowing only her license plate, or email address, or phone number, or even just first and last name,”
The documentary shows that with just a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), it is possible to remotely track where a vehicle was driving and where it is going now. And this can be utilised beyond personal reseasons, reaching political intimidation.
You can find more information here or see the released video here.
