Worlds Most Hackable Cars
If youre wondering whether the most tech-loaded vehicles are also the most vulnerable to hackers, there is now research that shows it. Charlie Miller, a security engineer with Twitter, and Chris Valasek, director of security intelligence at IOActive, studied modern auto models and concluded that the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, the 2014 Infiniti Q50, and the 2015 Escalade are the most likely to get hacked. The key is whether their networked features that can communicate outside the vehicle are on the same network as the cars automated physical functions. They also name the least-hackable cars, and will share the details of their new findings next week at Black Hat USA in Las Vegas.
If you drive a "smart" car — especially a 2014 Infiniti Q50, a 2014 Jeep Cherokee or a 2015 Escalade — then hackers might be able to change the radio, manipulate the GPS or slam on the brakes, even while youre sitting in the drivers seat.
Thats according to Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek, two security researchers who are among the worlds top experts in car hacking. Miller and Valasek plan to present their findings on how to hack into smart cars at the Black Hat and DEF CON security conferences in Las Vegas this week.
MORE: 7 Scariest Security Threats Headed Your Way
The 2014 Infinity Q50 has the dubious honor of being the most hackable car that Miller and Valasek tested. Thats because the cars navigation, Bluetooth and radio functions all run on the same network as the cars engine and brakes, as the researchers told security news site Dark Reading. A hacker only needs to break into one network to seize control of all the cars networked features — and even the car itself.
But not all cars are hacked equally. The 2014 Audi A8 is Miller and Valaseks pick for "least hackable" car in their test, followed by the 2014 Dodge Viper and the 2014 Honda Accord.
What makes the 2014 Audi A8 stand out? Each of its computer components runs on its own network, protected by a gateway, and none of those networks are allowed access to the cars basic components, such as steering and brakes.
How can you protect yourself from automotive hacks? The easiest way is to just get a "dumb" car. The more connections your car has to the Internet, the more avenues of attack hackers have into your vehicle.
Miller and Valasek have also developed a device that can plug into a car and detect network hacks, they told Dark Reading. The researchers will demo this device in Las Vegas as well.
If youre wondering whether the most tech-loaded vehicles are also the most vulnerable to hackers, there is now research that shows it. Charlie Miller, a security engineer with Twitter, and Chris Valasek, director of security intelligence at IOActive, studied modern auto models and concluded that the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, the 2014 Infiniti Q50, and the 2015 Escalade are the most likely to get hacked. The key is whether their networked features that can communicate outside the vehicle are on the same network as the cars automated physical functions. They also name the least-hackable cars, and will share the details of their new findings next week at Black Hat USA in Las Vegas.
If you drive a "smart" car — especially a 2014 Infiniti Q50, a 2014 Jeep Cherokee or a 2015 Escalade — then hackers might be able to change the radio, manipulate the GPS or slam on the brakes, even while youre sitting in the drivers seat.
Thats according to Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek, two security researchers who are among the worlds top experts in car hacking. Miller and Valasek plan to present their findings on how to hack into smart cars at the Black Hat and DEF CON security conferences in Las Vegas this week.
MORE: 7 Scariest Security Threats Headed Your Way
The 2014 Infinity Q50 has the dubious honor of being the most hackable car that Miller and Valasek tested. Thats because the cars navigation, Bluetooth and radio functions all run on the same network as the cars engine and brakes, as the researchers told security news site Dark Reading. A hacker only needs to break into one network to seize control of all the cars networked features — and even the car itself.
But not all cars are hacked equally. The 2014 Audi A8 is Miller and Valaseks pick for "least hackable" car in their test, followed by the 2014 Dodge Viper and the 2014 Honda Accord.
What makes the 2014 Audi A8 stand out? Each of its computer components runs on its own network, protected by a gateway, and none of those networks are allowed access to the cars basic components, such as steering and brakes.
How can you protect yourself from automotive hacks? The easiest way is to just get a "dumb" car. The more connections your car has to the Internet, the more avenues of attack hackers have into your vehicle.
Miller and Valasek have also developed a device that can plug into a car and detect network hacks, they told Dark Reading. The researchers will demo this device in Las Vegas as well.