Topic: Car Hacking

A report from Consumer Watchdog warns that new car models with internet-connected vital systems are vulnerable to remote hacking. Demonstrations show hackers taking control of steering and braking, leading to calls for a physical "kill switch" to disconnect vehicle computers from the internet.

The narrative of remote car hacking, popularized by Wired magazine, is dismissed as an "inside job" requiring physical access or manufacturer cooperation. Similar skepticism is applied to stories about "hackable" smart rifles from TrackingPoint. The hosts argue these stories are propagated to secure government funding for cybersecurity initiatives.

A Wired magazine report demonstrated hackers remotely taking control of a 2014 Jeep Cherokee's engine and braking systems. The hosts review technical critiques of the hack, suggesting some elements may have been exaggerated or required physical access to the vehicle's firmware. The discussion links the reality of car hacking to the suspicious death of journalist Michael Hastings, whose vehicle crashed at high speed in 2013.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) reports on manufacturers like John Deere using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to prevent owners from modifying vehicle software. Companies argue that allowing access to code could lead to piracy or unsafe modifications. This legal stance challenges the traditional concept of ownership for modern, software-dependent vehicles.

A major data breach at Corporate Car Online has exposed the credit card information and personal profiles of millions of customers, including high-profile politicians and celebrities. The stolen data reportedly includes detailed notes on passenger behavior, such as drug use and sexual activity in the vehicles. This information is viewed as a "gold mine" for potential blackmail or surveillance.

The death of hacker Barnaby Jack and the car accident involving Michael Hastings are linked to a growing media narrative about the vulnerability of medical devices and vehicles. A Forbes video demonstrating car hacking is dismissed as a "staged" promotion for the cybersecurity industry. This "bonanza" of fear is seen as a way to drive billions in government and corporate spending toward "hardening" infrastructure against hackers.

Journalist Kimberly Dvorak appeared on RT to discuss theories surrounding the death of Michael Hastings, claiming his body was cremated without family consent. Former counterterrorism official Richard Clarke suggested the crash was consistent with a "car cyber attack." The hosts analyze these reports as "messaging," noting that while remote control of modern vehicles is technically possible, the current media narrative seems designed to instill fear about the reach of intelligence agencies.

A report from San Diego journalist Catherine Dvorak examines the suspicious death of journalist Michael Hastings in a high-speed car crash. The segment discusses the intensity of the fire and the possibility of remote vehicle hijacking, citing a 2010 University of California study on hacking car systems via iPad.

The hosts present research from the University of California San Diego regarding the vulnerability of modern cars to remote hacking. Researchers demonstrated that they could disable brakes and control acceleration via Bluetooth, cellular signals, or even a malicious CD. This technical context is used to support the possibility that Michael Hastings' car was remotely compromised before his crash.

A former car dealership employee in Austin, Texas, used a remote system to disable over 100 vehicles and trigger their horns. The technology, provided by companies like Paytech, allows lenders to remotely shut down cars when customers default on loan payments. Concerns are raised about the legality and safety of such "credit solutions" that grant third parties control over private vehicles.