#Industry News
CAR-HACKING: TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CARS AT RISK
UK Newspaper Claims That Volkswagen Suppressed Academic Report Into Vehicle Security Flaw
The Independent newspaper in the UK has claimed that car manufacturer Volkswagen actively suppressed academic research that shows a flaw in the security system it and other manufacturers use to immobilize their vehicles. The paper claims three university researchers from the UK and Holland were prevented from publishing their analysis of the built-in security system that is supposed to protect cars from theft, and have only now been given permission to go public with the full details. The security flaw chiefly concerns a Swiss-made security device called Megamos Crypto system, which prevents thieves from stealing a car by immobilizing the vehicle, and will only allow the car to be driven if a key fob is present.
However, the researchers from Birmingham University and the Radbound University in Nijmegen, have discovered that signals sent between the key fob and the car can be intercepted and copied in a relatively short space of time. This is similar to how Sammy Kamkar was able to hack GM’s OnStar System. This most recent revelation is just another example of how the hackers are surging ahead of industry when it comes to connected-device security. The researchers involved in this latest case believe that tens of thousands of vehicles from 26 car manufacturers, including Audi, Fiat, Honda and Volvo are at risk. They recommend car manufacturers upgrade to more sophisticated security systems that are more difficult to hack.
Volkswagen issued a statement that reads, “Volkswagen has an interest in protecting the security of its products and its customers. We would not make available information that might enable unauthorised individuals to gain access to our cars. In all aspects of vehicle security, we go to great lengths to ensure the security and integrity of our products against external malicious attack.”
