Here’s how hackers could crash your car

If someone hacks your computer he can cause you a lot of headaches. But he generally can’t kill you. But getting your car hacked is another story.

Andy Greenberg reports on new research that shows that two recent car models are vulnerable to hacks that could interfere with a car’s steering, dashboard, and even its brakes.

Researchers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek demonstrated the attacks while Greenberg, a reporter for Forbes, was behind the wheel. In one attack, they activated the car’s self-parking feature while the car was driving down the road, causing the steering wheel to jerk from side to side. Because Greenberg was on an empty country road, no real damage was done. But if they pulled the same stunt on a crowded freeway it could have easily triggered an accident.

In another demonstration, they disabled the brakes while Greenberg’s vehicle was in motion. Thankfully, the vehicle was traveling slowly in an empty parking lot, but again the attack could have deadly consequences at higher speeds.

SOURCE: washingtonpost.com