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With cars increasingly resembling smartphones on wheels, there’s a growing concern over hacks into the centralized systems run by automakers. One recent hacking incident, which probably flew under the radar, has surprisingly put numerous vehicle owners at risk—many of them unaware.
GM is currently investing heavily in autonomous driving technologies.
In a shocking turn of events, a white hat hacker—someone who identifies and reports security gaps instead of exploiting them for personal gain—was capable of remotely unlocking car doors and diving into confidential customer data. What’s just as alarming is that this hacker has chosen to keep the automaker’s identity under wraps.
Locally reported by TechCrunch, the only clue given was that the offending automaker features “multiple well-known sub-brands.” This means players like GM, Volkswagen, and Stellantis are likely among the suspects.
Rather than going after individual vehicles, this security researcher found his way in through an online dealership portal. After breaching the system, he managed to set up an admin account that granted him unfettered access to everything available in the portal.
Not only could he access personal details of vehicle owners and unlock car doors remotely, but he also had the means to track unsuspecting drivers’ locations and more. If utilized by a car thief ring, such tools could spell disaster.
Even in the hands of someone just looking to create chaos, this glaring security issue poses serious risks.
As automakers push their technological limits by integrating advanced gadgets, consumer reactions have been mixed. While many people embrace innovation, the rising security threats, combined with the fleeting nature of tech innovations and the overall complexity of these systems, have sparked considerable backlash.
For years, the automotive community has talked about how mass car hacks could become a reality. Although we haven’t seen that moment come to pass yet, it raises questions as to how long it might be until then.
Image via Tima Miroschnichenko/Pexels
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