How to prevent your car from being hacked

[Демитрий]

How to prevent your car from being hacked

In 2015, security researchers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek revealed a new scary reality. While in a house 10 miles from the scene, they used a laptop to remote control jeep Cherokee, when he drove through the streets of St. Louis. The driver was aware of the experiment, although he did not know in advance what to expect. Imagine his surprise when two researchers seized control of his car.

This trick forced Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the owner of the Jeep division, to publish the official notification to prevent remote hacking and send it to 1.4 million car owners.

What jeep equipment was remotely controlled?

For remote control of the car, Miller and Walaszek used the Internet-connected Jeep infotainment system - Uconnect. With her help they controlled:

• Radio
• Digital display
• Air conditioning
• Janitors
• Wiper
• Gearbox
• The brakes

The last two points are particularly terrifying. Hacking showed that from anywhere in the world an attacker is able to disable the car’s gearbox via the Internet, making it uncontrollable. Or his brakes, which makes him ... scrap metal.

A year later - even after Fiat Chrysler Automobiles closed the Jeep remote access flaw - Miller and Valasek managed to physically crack the same Jeep Cherokee through the port under the dashboard. Despite the need for physical access for this particular hack, attacks have become even more life-threatening:

• Car acceleration
• Sharp braking
• Steering

After reading this, you again begin to think about how great it is to ride a bicycle, right?

Is your car trying to kill you?

No, it is not. As automakers continue to take cyber threats seriously and update their software, it is unlikely that anyone will get a remote control for your car. But, as with all computers, hacks are possible. And today's cars are computers on wheels (or potentially evil toasters ) Therefore, it is better to remember this fact.

6 steps to protect your car from breaking

1. Keep in touch with your car manufacturer. Check the site regularly for software updates and possible threats.
2. Update your car software.
3. Store the remote control in a special bag (Faraday bag).
4. Turn off your car’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when these services are not in use.
5. Set and regularly change the complex Wi-Fi password of your car.
6. Remember to scan your USB drives for malware before connecting them to your car.

1. Keep in touch with your car manufacturer

Register on your automaker's website to provide him with your contact information. After all, this is the only way employees of the company can contact you and inform about the availability of software updates or a possible recall of vehicles.

Most likely, you will find your VIN on the driver’s side of the vehicle in the lower left corner of the windshield. If it is not there, check the driver's side door pillar or your car’s registration card.

Figure 1 Look for your VIN from the driver.

1. Update car software

Outdated software may contain bugs that hackers can use to steal your personal data or take control of your car. Same as you check your computer for software updates , Be sure to follow the notifications from your automaker and do not forget to update the car software as soon as the corresponding update is released.

1. Carefully refer to the key fob to open the doors.

In a matter of seconds, thieves can open your car, simulating a signal from your keyless remote control.

Why is this possible? If the car has a keyless entry, when you open the door handle, the car will send a wireless signal to your keyless FOB ( FOB - "(English Free On Board » ) If it is nearby, it will answer and your car door will open. If the FOB is at a distance, it will not be able to answer, and the door will not open.

But here’s ... If the hacker knows where you usually store the keys (for example, in your pocket), he can stand near you, having a device to amplify the signal of your keyless FOB and allow an accomplice to open the door of your car.

But if your FOB keychain is in the Faraday bag, then its signal will be blocked, and criminals will not be able to break into your car.

1. Disable your car’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when these services are not in use.

An open wireless connection can allow criminals to connect to the car’s entertainment system and take control of certain equipment.

Therefore, if you do not use the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi of your car, it is better to disable them.

1. Hide your car's Wi-Fi password

It's simple. If your car has its own Wi-Fi, do not store the recorded password to access it in your glove compartment. The result may be unpredictable.

1. Scan USB sticks before connecting them to a car

An infected USB drive may contain malicious code designed to compromise your vehicle. Therefore, be sure to scan any USB drive before connecting it to the car.

In a nutshell ... Don't panic

As I said, hacking a car is possible, but so far unlikely.

At the moment, just be aware of the risks, update the software of your car and report any suspicious changes in the behavior of your car to its manufacturer.
Source: How to prevent your car from being hacked