Head Unit = Infotainment System

Aug 13 2015

“Head unit” is the geeky way of saying “infotainment system,” or, the computer and screen in the dash.

The words are synonymous:

Infotainment System = Head Unit = Dash Screen

This is a 2015 Jaguar XJL

Nissan’s New Infotainment System now Tracks You

Aug 3 2015

When the car starts, that screen appears.

Default is ON.

To turn it off: Settings > Vehicle Data Transmission Setting > OFF

I’d suggest turning it off for 2 reasons: to limit wireless traffic coming in and out of your car, and why help anyone track you.

Found on the 2016 Nissan Maxima, the upgraded infotainment system includes the debut of the new Nissan Connect Services – built-in safety & security telematics with SOS, automatic collision calling, smartphone remote access to vehicle including engine start, customizable alerts and maintenance notices.

Review for the paper prints in a couple weeks.

The Birthday & Anniversary Feature

Jul 6 2015

First time I’ve seen this feature – enter your special day, and the car will remind you of it.

Spotted in the 2015 Subaru Impreza.

Don’t Customize your Car’s Home Screen

Jan 19 2015

For the past couple months, I’ve been trying to upload images into the infotainment home screen of whatever car I have each week.

I’ve now tried 5 different manufactures, formatting the USB 3 different ways, using jpegs/bmps, and each time I keep failing.

I can’t get them to talk, none of the five. Strangest thing. So my reasoning is – if that doesn’t work, there’s a problem, so don’t.

Because here is the possible attack:

The Attack

Download image from the internet to USB > there’s flaws in the code that reads jpegs/bmps that could be used to execute arbitrary code on the device > leading to you running bad stuff (malware, virus, etc.)

The Defence

Just don’t. Everything doesn’t need to be customized.

To be clear: I highly doubt this niche attack will happen to you, and if it does, it’s probably because you’re a target and likely have bigger things to worry about.

But it’s not always going to be this way. In the near future, we’ll be adding apps to our cars the same way we now do to our phones. Good habits start now.