Hackers could take control of your Chrysler vehicle
Cars are becoming more connected through not only its infotainment system, but also through self-driving tools. These connected cars are vulnerable to being hacked which could cause accidents, and put hundreds of people lives at risk. More than 471,00 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) currently are at risk for remotely being hacked through the cars Uconnect system.
The car manufacturer, which include Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Fiat, Chrysler and Maserati, have released a security patch for cars equipped with its Uconnect infotainment system. Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek spent a year writing a software which exploited a vulnerability in the web-connected system, which works with Sprint’s cellular network. They took to Wired to outline the software and to raise awareness of the security issues with connected cars as they become more common. Miller and Valasek were able to determine the IP address of a car and control all its functions via a remote computer.
Checked patch, looks good. Well done Chrysler! Now, back to a vulnerable version for more testing! pic.twitter.com/RdBOyrRPuc
— Charlie Miller (@0xcharlie) July 20, 2015
Miller and Valasek hacked a 2014 Cherokee driven by reporter Andy Greenberg, shifting the car into neutral while he was on the highway. The two hackers claim they could control the whole car from steering to the air vents. The hack should highlight the issue of automakers placing more advance technology in their cars, but not securing them from these serious hacks.
Tell us what you think about these hackers being able to take full control of Chrysler vehicles through its infotainment system in the comments below.