KeriBlog

Cars, Security & a Peek into my Life

Had an Epiphany Yesterday

I write the news for the paper on Tuesdays, and wrote about the most hackable cars.

Autonet – the Most Hackable Cars

I pitch these type of stories constantly, and my editor rolls his eyes, okay most people roll their eyes at me, to which I always say “you’ll see”.

Because securing cars is going to be a huge thing soon, especially with all the internet connectivity coming to cars. Chevy is bringing WiFi to dashboards this summer.

The first time a car is breached and lights the news on fire, remember where you heard it first.

The story was well received by both industries (auto & security), then today a infosec buddy even texted me from across the country that his client just quoted it.

So my epiphany is this – I’m going to narrow in and specialize in this. Make myself really good at it. I’ve already decided I’m auto-for-life, and think I could excel in this vertical.

I already have over a year of history online writing about it, a reputation starting with the manufacturers, it brings my 2 favourite things together (cars and security), and I find it so fun. And bet I can find big cheques down the road in it too.

So I spent way too much time today investigating further, and check out my OBD2 reader courtesy of my neighbour!

Here we go guys… PUMPED.

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Questions to Think about Autonomous Cars

When it comes to auntomous cars, I’d like to see these topics discussed more often, especially the algorithm one below.

Questions to ponder:

  • will parking spots become extinct?
  • what about securing something that is more computer than car? Protect the privacy of the vehicle’s whereabouts… or the car’s software from attack, because think that nightmare through.
  • will map-range anxiety replace spontaneous exploration and adventure?

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

Go get lost this coming weekend, while you still can.

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I had a paragraph in there, about the ethics of programming the crash-avoidance algorithm, but it got cut.

What I said:

In an imminent crash involving two vehicles, what are the ethics behind the crash-avoidance algorithm? Aim for the larger object? Now all SUV drivers feel targeted, because they are, so will their insurance increase then? What if it’s programmed to hit the car best known for safety? Volvo owners won’t be happy about that.

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Above Photo

That’s an Audi TTS.

Google gets a lot of press about their autonomous car, but back in 2010 Audi sent the roadster up a 14,000 foot mountain, “Pikes Peak”.

It was even able to register negative obstacles, as in, stuff that wasn’t there, like a cliff without a guard-rail.

Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

WiFi in Cars is Coming this Summer

I’ve written about it at work, but this was my first experience using it in real life.

For more details, read my column from February.

1 – it functions much like the Hotspot feature on a cel phone: car broadcasts WiFi > passengers connect to car > go online

Securing your car will be similar to securing your home WiFi.

2 – choose this option, WPA2
3 – don’t bother with WEP
4 – if you check this, please leave my blog

Because remember, you are legally responsible for Hotspot users.

Blog tag = WiFi Security

 

 

Armoured Cars are Coming into Vogue

There’s a very expensive luxury sedan segment you don’t see advertised, the Security segment.

BMW Security, Mercedes S-Guard, Audi A8 Security,

Take their largest sedan, add plating, ballistic and new windows, cameras with night vision, instantly seal the cabin for gas attacks, and keep it looking like the regular model – security through obscurity.

Read in on Autonet.ca

Favourite line:

Masking the armour beneath factory finishings, so the car looks identical to the non-armoured model.

The Attack:

I’d go for the vehicle’s traffic… follow behind, laptop and antennae on the passenger seat, see what you can capture…maybe steal some passwords, or take some data and hold it for ransom, copy photos for blackmail, you get it.

Related: Wenet armoured car shopping 

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Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index