Hacking a Tesla Model S

Credit: Tesla Motors

Computerisation is a growing trend in motor vehicles. For some, this means the possibility of hacking the system, in similar ways & for similar reasons that other computing platforms are hacked.

Engine management, for pollution control & power management is an important application. Hackers have developed "hot chips" aka "big chips" to increase engine power.

While a reasonable increase in engine power will typically be benign, computers are also used to control anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control & in some cases suspension.

In parallel with computerisation, a growing number of vehicles are also being connected to the Internet. This raises the spectre of hacking by outside agencies.

With the above in mind, the organisers of the SyScan computer security conference in Beijing from 16-17 July are incorporating a hack-a-Tesla competition into their event. Prize is $10,000.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1093211_hack-a-tesla-model-s-and-win-10000

One of the commenters on the item linked above seems to see this as a consumer rights issue. I have no issue with anyone jail-breaking their phone, or modifying the operating system of their own desktop computer, where all of the risks are borne by the hacker & in any case are restricted to a bricked phone or some lost files.

Driving, or riding in, a motor vehicle is the most dangerous thing most of us do on a regular basis. Nor is the danger restricted to drivers & passengers. Pedestrians & even people inside buildings are sometimes killed or injured, by wayward motor vehicles. Inherent danger is one of the major driving forces behind incorporation of computers into cars. Think traction control, anti-lock braking, stability control & suspension control.

Given the inherent dangers, I see no place on public roads for hacked motor vehicles. / hack hacker hacking hacked process cracking software operating system OS computer smart phone smartphone car electric cars challenge hackTesla Model S electric $10,000 prize register registers SyScan conference eligible enter competition rules Tesla Model S experts try their luck learn lessons crack its software entirely-electric Tesla websites central display screen operating major functions of the car from a remote computer web browser 17 inch screen warranty would be void high-tech nature Tesla already takes security very seriously full vulnerability disclosure program allowing users to report any flaws in the car's system ex-Apple security expert Kristin Paget improve digital security research take control of cars hitting brakes jerking the steering wheel fun and games exploited experimentally subtext very sinister advanced hacking virus viruses lessons learned /