Hacker Disables More Than 100 Cars Remotely

[amy31416]

More than 100 drivers in Austin, Texas found their cars disabled or the horns honking out of control, after an intruder ran amok in a web-based vehicle-immobilization system normally used to get the attention of consumers delinquent in their auto payments.

Police with Austin’s High Tech Crime Unit on Wednesday arrested 20-year-old Omar Ramos-Lopez, a former Texas Auto Center employee who was laid off last month, and allegedly sought revenge by bricking the cars sold from the dealership’s four Austin-area lots.

“We initially dismissed it as mechanical failure,” says Texas Auto Center manager Martin Garcia. “We started having a rash of up to a hundred customers at one time complaining. Some customers complained of the horns going off in the middle of the night. The only option they had was to remove the battery.”

The dealership used a system called Webtech Plus as an alternative to repossessing vehicles that haven’t been paid for. Operated by Cleveland-based Pay Technologies, the system lets car dealers install a small black box under vehicle dashboards that responds to commands issued through a central website, and relayed over a wireless pager network. The dealer can disable a car’s ignition system, or trigger the horn to begin honking, as a reminder that a payment is due. The system will not stop a running vehicle.

Texas Auto Center began fielding complaints from baffled customers the last week in February, many of whom wound up missing work, calling tow trucks or disconnecting their batteries to stop the honking. The troubles stopped five days later, when Texas Auto Center reset the Webtech Plus passwords for all its employee accounts, says Garcia. Then police obtained access logs from Pay Technologies, and traced the saboteur’s IP address to Ramos-Lopez’s AT&T internet service, according to a police affidavit filed in the case.

Ramos-Lopez’s account had been closed when he was terminated from Texas Auto Center in a workforce reduction last month, but he allegedly got in through another employee’s account, Garcia says. At first, the intruder targeted vehicles by searching on the names of specific customers. Then he discovered he could pull up a database of all 1,100 Auto Center customers whose cars were equipped with the device. He started going down the list in alphabetical order, vandalizing the records, disabling the cars and setting off the horns.

“Omar was pretty good with computers,” says Garcia.

The incident is the first time an intruder has abused the no-start system, according to Jim Krueger, co-owner of Pay Technologies. “It was a fairly straightforward situation,” says Krueger. “He had retained a password, and what happened was he went in and created a little bit of havoc.”

Krueger disputes that the horns were honking in the middle of the night; he says the horn honking can only be activated between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

First rolled out about 10 years ago, remote immobilization systems are a controversial answer to delinquent car payments, with critics voicing concerns that debtors could suffer needless humiliation, or find themselves stranded during an emergency. Proponents say the systems let financers extend credit to consumers who might otherwise be ineligible for an auto loan.

Austin police filed computer intrusion charges against Ramos-Lopez on Tuesday.

Read More http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/03/hacker-bricks-cars/#ixzz0iXXLotaj


Didn't someone say recently that Austin was a bastion of libertarian thought?

Well, they may wanna quit thinking and get on the ball...

[tmosley]

Didn't someone say recently that Austin was a bastion of libertarian thought?

Well, they may wanna quit thinking and get on the ball...

I'm not sure I understand. Surely you aren't equating the actions of one person, or one company with the actions of the whole populace...

[amy31416]

I'm not sure I understand. Surely you aren't equating the actions of one person, or one company with the actions of the whole populace...

It was just an offhand comment, don't take it seriously.

[jmdrake]

Didn't someone say recently that Austin was a bastion of libertarian thought?

Well, they may wanna quit thinking and get on the ball...

Is there a libertarian response to this story? The technology wasn't installed by the government but by the dealers. This can't be stopped by repealing a law. You could pass regulation barring dealers from doing this, but that would seem "un-libertarian". People could boycott all dealers using the technology. Maybe libertarians could start dealerships that advertise "We don't install black boxes on your cars" and see if they get more business. Or someone could start a business that disabled the black boxes. Other than that? :confused:

[pcosmar]

Perhaps everyone should rethink their technology.

Do you OWN your computer?
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/eula/home.mspx

Microsoft grants you the following rights provided that you comply with all terms and conditions of this EULA:

as an example ;)

[amy31416]

Or someone could start a business that disabled the black boxes. Other than that? :confused:

Like I said to tmosley, just cracking wise, don't take it seriously.

But I do like this solution the best. :)

[pcosmar]

Like I said to tmosley, just cracking wise, don't take it seriously.

But I do like this solution the best. :)

I smell an employment opportunity. :cool:

[wizardwatson]

I'm more offended as a programmer that the term "hacker" has been watered down so much that it now refers to anyone who is competent enough to use a website. By this definition, everyone on RPF is a "hacker".

[pcosmar]

I'm more offended as a programmer that the term "hacker" has been watered down so much that it now refers to anyone who is competent enough to use a website. By this definition, everyone on RPF is a "hacker".

True, By definition he was a "cracker" not a hacker.

[MelissaWV]

True, By definition he was a "cracker" not a hacker.

Racist!!! :eek:

[Anti Federalist]

This is another reason why the new family car is going to be this:

http://saacollectorcarauction.com/wp-content/gallery/collector-cars/76-ford-ltd-ringstrom.jpg

Fuck a bunch of computer cars.

[Anti Federalist]

The dealership used a system called Webtech Plus as an alternative to repossessing vehicles that haven’t been paid for. Operated by Cleveland-based Pay Technologies, the system lets car dealers install a small black box under vehicle dashboards that responds to commands issued through a central website, and relayed over a wireless pager network. The dealer can disable a car’s ignition system, or trigger the horn to begin honking, as a reminder that a payment is due. The system will not stop a running vehicle.

OnStar sure as shit will.

[Brian Defferding]

This is another reason why the new family car is going to be this:

http://saacollectorcarauction.com/wp-content/gallery/collector-cars/76-ford-ltd-ringstrom.jpg

Fuck a bunch of computer cars.

Just look at that sexy wood paneling. Every teen boy will look forward to landing their first lay in the back of that grocery getting machine.

Where's my jetpack?

[Anti Federalist]

Just look at that sexy wood paneling. Every teen boy will look forward to landing their first lay in the back of that grocery getting machine.

Where's my jetpack?

It's got more "awesome" than a damn computerized mini van.

:D

[AutonomousLiberty]

Is there a libertarian response to this story? The technology wasn't installed by the government but by the dealers. This can't be stopped by repealing a law.


I'm sure there are plenty of laws which subsidize and monopolize the auto industry that could be repealed; laws which have led to greatly reduced consumer choice.

"The auto industry spent nearly $50 million lobbying Congress in the first nine months of this year."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/03/cbsnews_investigates/main4646424.shtml

[angelatc]

I'm more offended as a programmer that the term "hacker" has been watered down so much that it now refers to anyone who is competent enough to use a website. By this definition, everyone on RPF is a "hacker".

I was going to say this. Hacker, to me, implies that someone unrelated to the system managed to gain access.

This was a disgruntled ex-employee having a spot of fun.

[angelatc]

Where's my jetpack?

Damned right.

[amy31416]

This is another reason why the new family car is going to be this:

http://saacollectorcarauction.com/wp-content/gallery/collector-cars/76-ford-ltd-ringstrom.jpg

Fuck a bunch of computer cars.

OMFG, my dad had that exact car, except in banana yellow but with the paneling too. "Jumper" seats in the way-back. It was awesome. :p

I recall climbing on that thing (roof racks rock) while my dad worked on it--he could actually sit IN the engine compartment.

[Anti Federalist]

OMFG, my dad had that exact car, except in banana yellow but with the paneling too. "Jumper" seats in the way-back. It was awesome. :p

I recall climbing on that thing (roof racks rock) while my dad worked on it--he could actually sit IN the engine compartment.

Of course he did.

So did my dad, only it was a really neat deep metallic/forest green color.

The way back rules.

And government/cops/some disgruntled punk can't get on the internetz and shut it down remotely.;)

Looking at one of these as well:

http://www.cars-on-line.com/37300/84chry37387-1.jpg

[Anti Federalist]

OMFG, my dad had that exact car, except in banana yellow but with the paneling too. "Jumper" seats in the way-back. It was awesome. :p

I recall climbing on that thing (roof racks rock) while my dad worked on it--he could actually sit IN the engine compartment.

Holy shite, here is our family truckster:

http://idology.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/1972_ford_country_squire.jpg

What's really freaky...if I'm not mistaken, that's a Chris-Craft Corinthian in the background.

The old man used to sell Chris Crafts.

:eek:

[amy31416]

Holy shite, here is our family truckster:

http://idology.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/1972_ford_country_squire.jpg

What's really freaky...if I'm not mistaken, that's a Chris-Craft Corinthian in the background.

The old man used to sell Chris Crafts.

:eek:

That is awesome...since I'm going through reams of old family docs, if I come across the grocery-getter, I might have to post a picture of it.

Actually, I think that car is more like the one my dad had because it doesn't have the headlight covers.

[Anti Federalist]

That is awesome...since I'm going through reams of old family docs, if I come across the grocery-getter, I might have to post a picture of it.

Actually, I think that car is more like the one my dad had because it doesn't have the headlight covers.

Please do If you find one.

The red one is a 78 and the green one is a 76 if I'm not mistaken.

The old man's was a 76. He traded it for a 78 F-150 super cab in the same color.

I'll stop hijacking your thread now. ;)

ETA...just one more:

My first P/U truck, same color and eveything

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/3349949683_197a7d715c.jpg

[jmdrake]

My dream is to eventually build my own car.

http://www.rqriley.com/00000001_r1_c1.jpg

Or for a family vehicle....

http://www.rqriley.com/imagespln/phx1.jpg

More cool DIY vehicle plans at: http://www.rqriley.com

[pcosmar]

OnStar sure as shit will.

Yup, and you can bet there are more coming soon.

YouTube - "Cop Cam" - OnStar Commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09ZBrIa-hJ0)

[Anti Federalist]

Yup, and you can bet there are more coming soon.

YouTube - "Cop Cam" - OnStar Commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09ZBrIa-hJ0)

The RFID enabled keys on new Chrysler products, going back to 2007 IIRC, can be shut off remotely as well, leaving in the position of not be able to start or open the vehicle at all.

[amy31416]

Please do If you find one.

The red one is a 78 and the green one is a 76 if I'm not mistaken.

The old man's was a 76. He traded it for a 78 F-150 super cab in the same color.

I'll stop hijacking your thread now. ;)

ETA...just one more:

My first P/U truck, same color and eveything

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/3349949683_197a7d715c.jpg

What year is the red truck? 70 something?

Hijack? Pfft...you're still talking about cars. :p

I'm pretty sure the one my dad had was older than a '76...but if I find the pic, I'll be able to figure out what year.

[amy31416]

Or for a family vehicle....

http://www.rqriley.com/imagespln/phx1.jpg

More cool DIY vehicle plans at: http://www.rqriley.com

Hehehehe...you're taking nerd mini-vans to a whole new level...though the eagle thingie on the side makes it bitchin'. :p

[Anti Federalist]

What year is the red truck? 70 something?

That's a 1967 F100.

Mine was the same color, (which is to say dull orange rust) non FWD.

It had a 352cid Y block V-8 (somewhat rare, big power, and the last year that engine was offered in a truck) and came factory equipped with a limited slip rear axle and four speed transmission.

It was an awesome truck that I wished I had never sold.

I sold it to a buddy of mine who wrecked it on the GSP. He was OK, (loose body due to being high as hell) but the truck was a total loss :(

[amy31416]

That's a 1967 F100.

Mine was the same color, (which is to say dull orange rust) non FWD.

It had a 352cid Y block V-8 (somewhat rare, big power, and the last year that engine was offered in a truck) and came factory equipped with a limited slip rear axle and four speed transmission.

It was an awesome truck that I wished I had never sold.

I sold it to a buddy of mine who wrecked it on the GSP. He was OK, (loose body due to being high as hell) but the truck was a total loss :(

Keep an eye out, ya never know when you'll find one cheap. Although in your neck of the woods old cars tend to be pretty rotted from the weather.

My dad sold the wagon to my cousin, dirt cheap, and he promptly wrecked it about two weeks later. :( At least the cousin was okay. My dad also got my brother his first car, a '77 Mercury Cougar...which lasted about 6 months. The thing was a freaking boat, and my brother still misses it. . . at least he wasn't hurt in it's destruction.

It looked kinda like this:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i_AovfzNXgQ/SiRpg-Xo_OI/AAAAAAAAxh0/OVAVQT32D38/s400/cougar.bmp