14 DAY TRIAL // Ok, you can expect to deal with a virus or some other type of computer malware while fiddling with your PC, PDA, recently you could add mobile phones and smartphones to the list, but who would think onboard car computers could be a target for viruses. It's not like you check your email of surf online with one of those, is it?
Still, security company Kaspersky Labs has received such a request, to desinfect car computers that have been hit by computer pests. The cars that suffered such distress are one Lexus LX470, an LS430 model and a Landcruiser 100. And it seems the source of infection was a cell phone. If the cars computer is operating Symbian (which still has to be pinned down) a plain Bluetooth connection could be just the way that viruses found their way into to cars brains and messed with it. Lexus actually features wireless connectivity to the Nokia 6310i (a Symbian-based phone) in its Lexus Integrated Phone System.
It's a bit scary to think that your entire guiding system could be screwed up by some virus and you could drive your brand new SUV off a cliff or get lost and end up in some rough neighborhood. Or better yet, come to think of it, airplanes are guided by computers as well. Got yourself a one way ticked for New York but ended up in Hawaii? Well, enjoy your stay, thanks to virus X