[ale] OT hackers steal keyless bmw in 3 minutes

Thu Sep 20 12:21:20 EDT 2012

PS to prior message.  I figured I'd post this since I provided a link to the books below.  I've been reading a number of the reviews for zero day on Amazon.  Many state that the technical aspects are good.  However, several people said that the author has an obsession with including superfluous sex scenes which don't do anything for the story.  Also, one reviewer says the author uses lots of vulgar language.  Just thought I'd mention it for those of you who care about these issues.  I won't be ordering these books after all.

Ron

"Ron Frazier (ALE)" <atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com> wrote:

>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
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>(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
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>Ron Frazier
>770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
>linuxdude AT techstarship.com
>
>
>
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Sent from my Android Acer A500 tablet with bluetooth keyboard and K-9 Mail.
Please excuse my potential brevity.

(To whom it may concern.  My email address has changed.  Replying to former
messages prior to 03/31/12 with my personal address will go to the wrong
address.  Please send all personal correspondence to the new address.)

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
mailing lists and such.  I don't always see new email messages very quickly.)

Ron Frazier
770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
linuxdude AT techstarship.com
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