Chrysler drivers aren't safe while Uconnect is on

Jul 21, 2015 15:03 GMT  ·  By

In short, hackers could control your car from miles away thanks to an exploit in Jeep's Uconnect integrated software.

An ongoing investigation into the security of Chrysler cars has discovered that outside intruders can activate the car's entertainment system, brakes, steering and transmission using the Uconnect system from Jeep, which plugs into a cellular network and can be easily discovered and hacked.

Chrysler apparently knows about the vulnerability of the car, but it doesn't seem to take it too seriously. It has, however, released a patch to fix the breach but it has to be installed via USB drives or a dealer.

Not only that, but Chrysler blames the researchers at Wired for making this breach public, claiming that “Under no circumstances does [Fiat Chrysler Automotive] condone or believe it’s appropriate to disclose ‘how-to information’ that would potentially encourage, or help enable hackers to gain unauthorized and unlawful access to vehicle systems.” As if it were the researcher's fault for the breach of security.

Car hacks aren't a new thing, as the guys from Motherboard explain how you can do it. However, when half a million cars are in danger of being hacked and people's lives are put in danger, with million others that could share similar weaknesses, it's probably time to consider cars some sort of computers too and make sure they are kept safe not only from accidents but from now on hackers as well.