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Cars ECUs Exposed As Unsafe

According to researchers at the University of San Diego, computer systems used in cars could leave owners vulnerable to attack. Professor Stefan Savage’s team carried out an investigation which brutally exposed weaknesses in the defence systems of the tested cars, and warned that the flaws in the vehicles’ ECUs (Electrical Control Units) could be manipulated by criminals to such an extent that they could actually disable the brakes while the owner is driving.

Savage’s team set out to investigate how much resistance the ECUs put up towards malicious hacking, and the researches wrote that “unfortunately, the answer is ‘little’”.

"We are able to forcibly and completely disengage the brakes while driving, making it difficult for the driver to stop.

“Conversely, we are able to forcibly activate the brakes, lurching the driver forward and causing the car to stop suddenly."

Trend Micro’s security analyst Rik Ferguson stated that "In order to carry out a successful attack, you would already need to have physical access to the vehicle. As a break-in or as a mechanic seem the two most likely scenarios."

"As cars, and everything else in life up to and including even pacemakers or fridges, become steadily more connected and externally accessible, research such as this should be taken increasingly seriously by manufacturers."