Hundred cars on standstill due to hacking

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» 20 March 2010

The system of a car manufacturer, in conjunction with immobilization, was attacked by a fired employee. Hence, about a hundred of automobiles were affected by this hacking incident, having all of the cars halt in its operation.

Sure method of making a consumer pay

Texas Auto Center, the involved auto dealer, uses a black box system in their business. This works by activating the horn of the vehicle or disabling the motor vehicle if the customer does not pay the agreed payment on the specified due date.

The black box system functions in such a way that there is a device, which has a link with the electronic control system of the car manufactured by this dealer. There is a wireless connection between the manufacturer and the vehicle and this linkage is functions through a page network.

A rebound for a worker’s dismissal

Omar Ramos-Lopez, the alleged ex-employee of the automobile company, attacked the black box system after he was fired. After his dismissal, he accessed Texas Auto Center’s system and did some manipulation on it, which led to the immobilization of about 80 vehicles or more.

Customers suffer for the inconvenience

There was an overflow of protests from Texas Auto Center’s customers after the immobilization incident. The owners experienced being absent from work and classes and they also ended up paying for towing expenses and repairs. As a solution for this problem, the manufacturer changed passwords and also enabled all the halted cars.

Logical tactics is essential to protect consumers

There had been no issues such as this one during the previous years of operation of the said company. According to Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos, it is impossible that one will experience such problematic situation if he or she will not avail vehicles from “cheap-and-chips” manufacturers. Consumers should not purchase automobiles from car dealers who entertain high-risk clients.

This incident taught everyone an important lesson with regards to safety. One should be well aware of the appropriate utilization of password security. As of today, many trading companies are still incapable of practicing this security mechanism. Hence, they still need to become more knowledgeable about this fact.

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