NYT's Bilton Finds Vehicle Broken Into Via Wireless Technology
Locking the doors may not be enough to deter would-be thieves now, thanks to wireless technology.
According to Jalopnik, New York Times tech blogger Nick Bilton watched from afar as his Toyota Prius’ defenses — specifically, the door locks — were disabled wirelessly by two youths before they entered the vehicle to steal whatever they could find. Bilton then chased down the two to ask what they used to break into his car, only to come away with nothing but a description and a price tag: a $100 device that broadcasts RF signals to unlock the doors.
Similar instances include a slew of break-ins in 2013 linked to devices pressed against new car doors, cycling through remote-entry codes before happening upon the correct code to unlock the vehicle, and a demonstration at a Blackhat conference with a setup involving a laptop and $1,000 of radio equipment.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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"Bilton then chased down the two to ask what they used to break into his car, only to come away with nothing but a description and a price tag: a $100 device that broadcasts RF signals to unlock the doors." Really? "Hey, I know you just robbed me, but I'd like to ask you a few questions on your technique." "Why sure, I've got loads of free time, especially to educate my victims. Let me show you how it works." That sounds pretty damn suspect, but can you really trust anything published by the clickbait empire?
But wait, autonomous cars are going to be unhackable and super safe. They will save lives, just like locking cockpit doors have.
Market demands wireless lock/unlock capability and wireless start. Journalist freaks out when is car is unlocked wirelessly. Anyone who can operate a zipper can break into a Wrangler. The article was published because it will make the old people have psychotic paranoia attacks, and demand changes from the manufacturers. I can't take it seriously.
One good thing about driving a Saab, the security handshake is probably as overcomplicated as the rest of the car and no thief in their right mind would bother trying to figure it out.