[ale] OT hackers steal keyless bmw in 3 minutes

[Ron Frazier (ALE)]

I've had similar thoughts.  I don't know about other brands, but for 
Mercedes, you have to go back pre 1985 to lose the computer.  That's 
kind of hard to believe.  I just happen to have a 1981 MB 300SD.  I use 
it for my backup car when my other one is ill.  Many of it's ancillary 
systems (like "vacuum" powered door locks) have failed in the 31 years 
since it was made.  However, the drive train still works.  Of course, it 
could have an expensive failure at any time.  Crossing my fingers that 
it won't.  When it was built, it had all this functional: power seats, 
power windows, power door locks, power trunk lock, power fuel door lock, 
power sunroof, automatic climate control, automatic break lining 
monitor, automatic cruise control, and an accurate analog clock.  It has 
a nice (technologically) but stinky 5 cyl cast iron diesel engine that 
purrs like a big cat and really prefers to be exceeding 70 MPH, although 
the speedometer tops out at 85 MPH.  They even pump the engine oil up 
into the pistons in the engine to improve cooling and longevity.  The 
fuel injector pump is an amazing piece of engineering involving gears, 
pistons, and springs, which delivers the fuel to each cylinder at the 
right moment.  It is, essentially, a mechanical computer of sorts.  The 
car certainly has electronics, some of which may be digital, but no 
computers to be found as far as I know.  A modern car is functionally 
superior in most ways, but I still have a soft spot inside for this 
beast.  As an engineer, I can appreciate it.  I wanted to convert it to 
run on veggie oil but never have.

By the way, check out these fictional but realistic novels about 
computer security.  I haven't read them yet, but they were recommended 
on Security Now as they like to discuss sci fi on occasion.  One of my 
pet peeves is that some novels use foul language which is unnecessary.  
I don't know whether these do or don't, but the stories sound interesting.

Zero Day
      
http://www.amazon.com/Zero-Day-Novel-Mark-Russinovich/dp/1250007305/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1348147302&sr=8-3&keywords=russinovich

Trojan Horse
      
http://www.amazon.com/Trojan-Horse-Russinovich-M/dp/1250024269/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348147302&sr=8-1&keywords=russinovich

Sincerely,

Ron

On 9/20/2012 8:45 AM, Jim Kinney wrote:
>
> Heh, heh.
> The more I learn about computers and their "security" the more I want 
> an all mechanical/electrical car with NO digital electronics of any kind.
>
> On Sep 19, 2012 10:07 PM, "Ron Frazier (ALE)" 
> <atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com 
> <mailto:atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com>> wrote:
>
>     heard this on security now.
>
>     if you have a keyless bmw, think about upgrading the car's
>     firmware. that's a scary thought. i'm sure other keyless cars are
>     NOT immune.
>
>     http://www.zdnet.com/hackers-steal-keyless-bmw-in-under-3-minutes-video-7000000507/
>
>     google hackers steal bmw to learn more.
>
>     i'm going to think twice before buying a car without a mechanical key.
>
>     ron
>

-- 

(To whom it may concern.  My email address has changed.  Replying to former
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Ron Frazier
770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
linuxdude AT techstarship.com

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