Bill Gates is a known Lexus driver. In 1999 he auctioned one for charity.
So maybe this thing is running Windows? In this case, we already have a solution [mistupid.com].
And shouldn't vehicle have a read-only section just for the essentials? So that even the main system is down, the car will detach the OS and still function like a, like a, car?
I did this a month ago, and my tank is still on full. I took out 4 pedestrians too, a Nissan titan, someone's dog, and a row of mailboxes with no damage.
It almost certainly will still run, unless it's a completely idiotic design. The ECM and/or PCM (engine control module / powertrain control module, whatever these cars call it, the thing that runs the automatic transmission, the injectors, the spark, idle air control, etc.) is almost certainly not attached in any meaningful way to an embedded computer running a known OS. They're all attached to some sort of bus on modern OBD-II cars, but the ECM is usually capable of operating on its own. ECMs and PCMs are usually 8 or 16 bit micros with truly embedded software (read: no conventional OS, written specifically for the application at hand). Modern ones are flash-upgradable, but I highly doubt this would be enabled through any sort of radio interface, and even if it was, it wouldn't be any sort of thing where it could pick up a virus.
Sounds to me like the fancy mapping stuff and maybe some user interfacing is controlled by the affected computer, not the fundamental powertrain stuff. Any car designer that runs his powertrain off anything but a hardened, reliable, embedded micro is just an idiot, and I can't believe Toyota would do something that dumb.
The car has a whole separate computer for essentials. These used to run a single program as a matter of course but some of them are now fast enough to run a RTOS instead, and some of the communications protocols used today essentially demand that you have a real OS on there. The cars actually have several computers in them now, and probably have one each for the engine, transmission, skid control, body management, and maybe even separate units to manage power seatbelts. The airbags might have a computer or just some relays, too. Then, there is a computer that manages stuff like navigation and entertainment, and maybe climate control. Oh yeah, that's anoth computer I forgot, climate control. It even has several of its very own sensors and actuators...
Anyway, all of this stuff is connected together to some degree except the entertainment computer, which probably only connects to the PCM, usually through the BCM, when climate control is managed by it. Seatbelts connect to the BCM, climate control might, airbags will. The ABS will connect to the PCM in cars with traction control and also tell the transmission's computer (connected to the PCM) what to do, as well as modulating throttle via the PCM.
The car already contains a network of computers, and each one typically is designed to work with its neighbor and only powertrain components directly influence units to which they are not attached. The worst thing you might do to a car like this (in most cases) is screw with the climate control settings.
Cabir is transmitted as an SIS file (Symbian distribution file), disguised to be a Caribe Security Manager utility. If the infected file is launched, the telephone screen will display the inscription "Caribe".
The worm penetrates the system and will then be activated each time the phone is started. Cabir scans for all accessible phones using Bluetooth technology, and sends a copy of itself to the first one found.
Anti-virus companies have been warning for some time that mobile networks could be the next targets of virus authors. Mikko Hyppönen, director of anti-virus research at F-Secure, said several months ago that there was a danger of viruses spreading into GPRS networks through USB ports, and that pocket-PC devices would be easy targets for virus coders.
"We do know that car manufacturers are integrating existing operating systems into their onboard computers (take the Fiat and Microsoft deal, for instance)."
Proof that like seeks like when it comes to reliability.
I own an Alfa Romeo 75, a FIAT 126 and run Windows XP so so I must be a real glutton for punishment:D
BTW, in the UK, FIAT have teamed up with Microsoft to offer XBOX branded cars.
http://www.fiat.co.uk/xbox [fiat.co.uk]
Jonathan
It is understood the virus could affect the navigation system of the Lexus models, it transfers onto them via a Bluetooth mobile phone connection. It is still unclear whether the cars in question use the Symbian operating system which has recently been under attack from various worms and viruses.
This is a car that is full of wires and is basically a large chunk of metal. Explain to me why we are using Bluetooth instead of a wired solution. I don't see the advantages here. What I do see are large privacy implications and holes for infection... We are worried about RFID tags and readers installed along the highway? Why they don't even need to add the RFID tags to the wheels. Just have all the car's devices communicating through Bluetooth. The car owners think their sweet, overpriced, GPS navigation system is badass and the government gets to see where you were going, how fast you were going, and where you are going to. Perfect.
"I've even seen screenshots of major commercial aeroplanes with Windows 2000-based operating systems," said Mikko Hypponen, director of anti-virus research at Finnish firm F-Secure. "Cars are an obvious target for viruses. It's okay if you don't use the operating system for the engine and the brakes, but when you do..."
While Windows 2000 is adequate for my home computer to surf the web and read email (after proper precautions are taken) it is absolutely NOT adequate for flying an airplane. I am not worried about worms and viruses infected an airplane running Windows 2000 (and I'm not sure why it was mentioned in the article as it really isn't related) but I am worried about the stability of the OS and the implications it may have.
For now I'm sticking to my handheld GPS and windshield mounts. The only way it can be infected is if I sneeze on it and the only way that someone else could read it from 15 feet away would be with binoculars or a telephoto lens.
BTW, Bill Roehl is a known Saturn owner. He traded one in for another in 2002. That information is about as useful as knowing Bill Gates auctioned his 1999 (non BT equipped) Lexus off for charity.
This is a car that is full of wires and is basically a large chunk of metal. Explain to me why we are using Bluetooth instead of a wired solution. I don't see the advantages here.
The advantage is that the industry doesn't have to spend the next five years haggling over a wired communications standard for mobile phones. Instead they use Bluetooth, which is here right now. Using Bluetooth also means that handset manufacturers don't need to build more than one digital interface into their equipment. One of the devices people want to use with their handsets is a cordless headset, so manufacturers have to support that device. Why would they want to build in an entirely separate, wired interface for cars? (And why would you want to pay for them to do that?)
Using Bluetooth also means that handset manufacturers don't need to build more than one digital interface into their equipment. One of the devices people want to use with their handsets is a cordless headset, so manufacturers have to support that device. Why would they want to build in an entirely separate, wired interface for cars? (And why would you want to pay for them to do that?)
I really don't know what you're talking about as it isn't related. Handsfree cell phone support via bluetooth in the car i
I really don't know what you're talking about as it isn't related. Handsfree cell phone support via bluetooth in the car is one thing. Tying bluetooth to the navigation system is another.
Use bluetooth all you want to keep people from holding their phones and talking while driving and chewing gum. Keep it out of sensitive areas that are built into the car and are basically running whenever the car is on.
Whoah, wait a minute. You sure you're not just freaking out over nothing? Just for reference: On a ca
While Windows 2000 is adequate for my home computer to surf the web and read email (after proper precautions are taken) it is absolutely NOT adequate for flying an airplane. I am not worried about worms and viruses infected an airplane running Windows 2000 (and I'm not sure why it was mentioned in the article as it really isn't related) but I am worried about the stability of the OS and the implications it may have.
If win2k is used in airplanes today and there hasn't be any crashes or problems. Then it i
- When someone calls my cell phone, I can his a button to mute the stereo, answer the call, and use my car stereo (with a mic in the car) for taking the call so it doesn't distract me while driving.
- When Apple finally releases an iPod with Bluetooth, or something similar, just drop it into my car anywhere and start playing tracks off it like it was plugged in.
Those are two quick, easy reasons that I'd want bluetooth in my car, and I'm sure there are more.
Seriously, the FAA isn't that stupid. Go read DO-178B. Critical functions that could cause a catastrophic failure in the event of a malfunction are classified as Level A, and I only know of one off-the-shelf RTOS that's been submitted for approval. Submitted, not approved, last I heard. And an embedded RTOS is orders of magnitude smaller and easier to validate than something like Windows 2000.
Airliners are not being flown by Windows boxes. If there's anything in the cockpit running Windows, it would h
I always thought thoses Sybians were dirty. That they're spreading infection isn't too surprising. Who the heck drives around with one in their car though?
I hope you meant to say: Who the heck drives around with one in her car though?
Bluetooth SIG Mission Statement
Develop, publish and promote the preferred short-range wireless specification for connecting mobile products, and to administer a qualification program that fosters interoperability for a positive user experience.
That definately show interoperability, but I have to wonder if the virus is bluetooth qualified?
Lot of times the HVAC,NAV, Entertainment will share the same computer/board. Problems with the computer/board, can cause the HVAC to stop working which may seem annoying but can be dangerous especially when condensation forms on the inside of the windshield.
Using the code to inspire a car to: - Flash obscene messages in morse code through the brake light - Warn of imminent empty tank, then say 'Just kidding' on the information center display. - Mess with the volume of the radio subtly, if it uses CANbus. - Lock the doors while playing a WAV of cackling laughter through the NAV system's audio interface.
If you avoid the obvious 'rofl make teh car crash like windows lololololol omfg' ideas, there should be lots of fun things you could do with the security hole this virus uses.
well if the virus can infect the cars "operating system" what would stop it from trying to get into the onstar system? It would be pretty nasty to have your car get turned off remotely while driving.
"I've even seen screenshots of major commercial aeroplanes with Windows 2000-based operating systems," said Mikko Hypponen, director of anti-virus research at Finnish firm F-Secure.
Calm down folks. I've seen plenty of cool looking computers built in to aircraft instrument panels. Yes, some of them run Windows.
First, you can be assured that they only update via a firmware media card such as SDRAM. Nobody's going to point a Bluetooth antenna at an airplane and knock it out of the sky.
Second, of the gripes that most of you have about Windows, the majority and the most egregious behaviors have to do with what happens when you network these things to insecure places. Windows has actually become quite stable in the last few releases. In a stand-alone configuration these systems are fairly reliable platforms.
Third, most pilots rarely get in to the down and dirty features of their displays. They don't have the time, nor do most of them care enough to learn any more than they need to get the airplane safely from point A to point B. You can say one thing for certain about Windows: the path is well worn. As long as you are doing relatively conventional stuff, it will serve you well.
Fourth, these are just navigation boxes. There are backup instruments. If a navigation computer dies, there will be other resources to navigate with. There are very few things in the panel of the airplane which do not have a backup of some sort --particularly where the avionics stack is concerned.
I say this as one who really doesn't like using or programming with Windows. Like any tool, it has its flaws; though when properly used, it can be quite safe.
Windows has always been very secure in it's original intended environment. Attached to nothing but a power source and a printer. It is when it is allowed to communicate with other computers that security is completely lost.
I've even seen screenshots of major commercial aeroplanes with Windows 2000-based operating systems
He's (probably) talking about in the cabin. If that's the case, so what? Worst case: passengers can't watch the inflight movie. (I might even be grateful for that)
Cars are an obvious target for viruses. It's okay if you don't use the operating system for the engine and the brakes, but when you do...
... but we don't. This is the Navigational System- and it isn't clear that it was adversely affected by the virus! I'm glad they caught this now, BEFORE it caused major problems.
One of the BIG things drummed into me during flight training was: fly the airplane. It doesn't matter if the nav systems are acting up. The same applies to automobiles. (Though I'm sure there will be accidents "caused" by crashed Nav. systems)
Bill Gates is a known Lexus driver. In 1999 he auctioned one for charity.
I can't decide if this a non-sequitir, or a wonderfully subversive way to relate insecurity and viruses with Microsoft/Bill Gates.
Whether it runs Symbian is irrelevant. No, wait. No it's not. There still doesn't exists a single Symbian VIRUS which could SELF-REPLICATE. Because it should be impossible.
If a phone asks you: a) Random guy is sending you a file, do you want to receive it? b) This file is an installable application with name XYZ, would you like to install it? c) The origin of this application could not be verified, unless you trust the source, it is not recommended to install it. Would you like to install it anyway? d) Application XYZ want's to use bluetooth interface, do you allow this? Do you answer YES to each of these questions? I wouldn't.
Anyway, if this one truely replicates without user intervention, there must exists a way to execute the code. What is the normal way to achieve this on PC? Stack/buffer flaw within a privileged process. Now, I'm going to say something which will come and bite me in the ass: There is no way to execute code 'accidentally' in Symbian.
If you have evidence to the contrary, I'd be most interested in how it is done...
Sorry about my pompous attitude. I'm sure someone will figure something out in the future, but right now, is there a way?
I drive an LS430. The navigation system, phone, audio system, and air conditioning control system are driven by a system made by Denso. I can't say with certainty what operating system it's running, but it looks like an evolution of a design they've had going since at least 1998.
The Bluetooth interface is rather limited. You can use the hands-free capability after pairing it with your phone. You can transfer a phonebook using the OBEX profile. To my knowledge, none of the other Bluetooth profiles are supported--most notably the Object Push Protocol (OPP). In order to get OBEX phonebook transfers to work, you have to put the car phone system into a special mode; it won't just blindly accept transfers--even from paired devices. If this system is running Symbian and is really vulnerable, I wonder if it manifests itself only when attempting to transfer phonebook entries from an infected device.
The same navigation system is used in a number of cars beyond the Lexus LS430 and LX470. The SC430, GX430, and RX330 use the same Bluetooth system, as does Toyota's Land Cruiser and Prius.
Symbianite writes to Ron Condon (SC editor) and David Quainton (article author):
In your article Mobile virus infects Lexus cars by David Quainton a reference is made to Symbian operating system as follows:
" It is still unclear whether the cars in question use the Symbian operating system which has recently been under attack from various worms and viruses. "
Symbian is a MOBILE PHONE operating system and has nothing to do with cars. No car manufacturers are Symbian licensees. This could not have been hard to verify - Symbian's web site (www.symbian.com) clearly lists Symbian licensees.
Further to this, what you refer to as "various worms and viruses" is actually malware. All existing malware for Symbian is not based on bad code exploits but rather on user's explicitly bypassing security and dismissing security warnings.
Please ensure that this error is corrected asap. This is bad press for a good company (Symbian) and I am sure they will not waste time in debunking this ignorant rant.
Anybody have a recommendation for a car that's new enough that you can get parts for it, reliable enough that it's not a Yugo, but predates electronic controls such that it will still start after the EMP?
An oldish Mercedes Unimog will do the trick. The ultimate "survival" vehicle, it has six forward speeds, two reverse speeds, gets about 11 mpg freeway:) and is a diesel. Later but still early models have about 110hp and likely over 300 ft-lb. They were originally sold as a combo tractor and farm truck. I suggest buying two so you have one for parts. They came both as a 4x4 and a 6x6.
Now see here, you bloody colonial; we don't spell correctly, or use correct grammar to "piss you off", but rather because we prefer to use language as a form of civilised communication. One day perhaps you too can evolve and adopt this method of interaction, rather than stomping around the globe spreading violence, obesity, patents and litigation (I'm assuming you're American?)
Funny thing is 'Aeroplane' is exactly the kind of thing a non-native English speaker like myself could say. We may be able to pass for natives (if you can't hear our accents) but sometimes we betray ourselves by using slightly archaic words.
I remember saying 'thrice' to an American once. He thought I was quoting Shakespeare!
Obligatory (Score:4, Interesting)
So maybe this thing is running Windows? In this case, we already have a solution [mistupid.com].
And shouldn't vehicle have a read-only section just for the essentials? So that even the main system is down, the car will detach the OS and still function like a, like a, car?
Re:Obligatory (Score:4, Funny)
Parent
Re:Obligatory (Score:5, Funny)
Up, down, up, down, left, right, left, right, blinkers, horn, clutch, gas.
Parent
Re:Obligatory (Score:5, Funny)
The new Konami ECU rules.
Parent
Re:Obligatory (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Obligatory (Score:4, Interesting)
Parent
Re:Obligatory (Score:5, Informative)
Sounds to me like the fancy mapping stuff and maybe some user interfacing is controlled by the affected computer, not the fundamental powertrain stuff. Any car designer that runs his powertrain off anything but a hardened, reliable, embedded micro is just an idiot, and I can't believe Toyota would do something that dumb.
Parent
Re:Obligatory (Score:4, Funny)
"Magneto Inside"
What's Under YOUR Hood?
(But then the X-Men would chase you everywhere and you'd have to fight off all the yellow spandex crazies.)
Parent
Re:Obligatory (Score:5, Informative)
Anyway, all of this stuff is connected together to some degree except the entertainment computer, which probably only connects to the PCM, usually through the BCM, when climate control is managed by it. Seatbelts connect to the BCM, climate control might, airbags will. The ABS will connect to the PCM in cars with traction control and also tell the transmission's computer (connected to the PCM) what to do, as well as modulating throttle via the PCM.
The car already contains a network of computers, and each one typically is designed to work with its neighbor and only powertrain components directly influence units to which they are not attached. The worst thing you might do to a car like this (in most cases) is screw with the climate control settings.
Parent
Symbian and Cabir Virus (Score:5, Informative)
The worm penetrates the system and will then be activated each time the phone is started. Cabir scans for all accessible phones using Bluetooth technology, and sends a copy of itself to the first one found.
Here is a link Caribe [f-secure.com]
Anti-virus companies have been warning for some time that mobile networks could be the next targets of virus authors. Mikko Hyppönen, director of anti-virus research at F-Secure, said several months ago that there was a danger of viruses spreading into GPRS networks through USB ports, and that pocket-PC devices would be easy targets for virus coders.
Re:Symbian and Cabir Virus (Score:2)
want to bet a tenner that the car getting 'infected' is just the virus arriving in the cars obex inbox, sitting there and doing _nothing_.
the anti virus companies would like their hand on the symbian/smartphone pie.. so they're making these things sound far worse than they are.
Fiat & Microsoft (Score:5, Funny)
Proof that like seeks like when it comes to reliability.
Re:Fiat & Microsoft (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Fiat & Microsoft (Score:2)
Re:Fiat & Microsoft (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Fiat & Microsoft (Score:4, Funny)
Fire extinguisher?
I knew that Microsoft OSes cause computers to crash but I didn't know it caused them to crash and burn.
Parent
Re:Fiat & Microsoft (Score:3, Funny)
4,124 Spiders is about the right number to keep around to make sure that any one of them works at any one time...
So what? (Score:4, Insightful)
This is a car that is full of wires and is basically a large chunk of metal. Explain to me why we are using Bluetooth instead of a wired solution. I don't see the advantages here. What I do see are large privacy implications and holes for infection... We are worried about RFID tags and readers installed along the highway? Why they don't even need to add the RFID tags to the wheels. Just have all the car's devices communicating through Bluetooth. The car owners think their sweet, overpriced, GPS navigation system is badass and the government gets to see where you were going, how fast you were going, and where you are going to. Perfect.
"I've even seen screenshots of major commercial aeroplanes with Windows 2000-based operating systems," said Mikko Hypponen, director of anti-virus research at Finnish firm F-Secure. "Cars are an obvious target for viruses. It's okay if you don't use the operating system for the engine and the brakes, but when you do..."
While Windows 2000 is adequate for my home computer to surf the web and read email (after proper precautions are taken) it is absolutely NOT adequate for flying an airplane. I am not worried about worms and viruses infected an airplane running Windows 2000 (and I'm not sure why it was mentioned in the article as it really isn't related) but I am worried about the stability of the OS and the implications it may have.
For now I'm sticking to my handheld GPS and windshield mounts. The only way it can be infected is if I sneeze on it and the only way that someone else could read it from 15 feet away would be with binoculars or a telephoto lens.
BTW, Bill Roehl is a known Saturn owner. He traded one in for another in 2002. That information is about as useful as knowing Bill Gates auctioned his 1999 (non BT equipped) Lexus off for charity.
Re:So what? (Score:5, Insightful)
Parent
Re:So what? (Score:2)
I really don't know what you're talking about as it isn't related. Handsfree cell phone support via bluetooth in the car i
Re:So what? (Score:3, Interesting)
Whoah, wait a minute. You sure you're not just freaking out over nothing? Just for reference: On a ca
Re:So what? (Score:2)
If win2k is used in airplanes today and there hasn't be any crashes or problems. Then it i
Re:So what? (Score:3, Informative)
- When someone calls my cell phone, I can his a button to mute the stereo, answer the call, and use my car stereo (with a mic in the car) for taking the call so it doesn't distract me while driving.
- When Apple finally releases an iPod with Bluetooth, or something similar, just drop it into my car anywhere and start playing tracks off it like it was plugged in.
Those are two quick, easy reasons that I'd want bluetooth in my car, and I'm sure there are more.
Re:So what? (Score:3, Interesting)
Airliners are not being flown by Windows boxes. If there's anything in the cockpit running Windows, it would h
I always thought thoses Sybians were dirty. (Score:5, Funny)
Ah - "her" car maybe? (Score:2, Offtopic)
I always thought thoses Sybians were dirty. That they're spreading infection isn't too surprising. Who the heck drives around with one in their car though?
I hope you meant to say: Who the heck drives around with one in her car though?
bluetooths mission statement (Score:2)
That definately show interoperability, but I have to wonder if the virus is bluetooth qualified?
New excuse (Score:5, Funny)
Here is the bio on the Lasco virus writer (Score:5, Informative)
This is the guy who wrote the Lasco variant and posted source code online: Marcos Velasco [mobilemonday.net]
Hmm... (Score:3, Funny)
Doubtful (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Doubtful (Score:2)
Sounds like the OS is breaking to me...
Re:Doubtful (Score:3, Insightful)
Here it is folks! (Score:5, Funny)
Ideas for automotive pranks (Score:5, Funny)
- Flash obscene messages in morse code through the brake light
- Warn of imminent empty tank, then say 'Just kidding' on the information center display.
- Mess with the volume of the radio subtly, if it uses CANbus.
- Lock the doors while playing a WAV of cackling laughter through the NAV system's audio interface.
If you avoid the obvious 'rofl make teh car crash like windows lololololol omfg' ideas, there should be lots of fun things you could do with the security hole this virus uses.
Time to head to Costco (Score:4, Interesting)
Seriously, can the infected car infect another car that's sitting next to it at a stop light? Or people who are walking by it in the crosswalk?
is onstar next? (Score:2, Insightful)
Aircraft and Windows (Score:5, Interesting)
Calm down folks. I've seen plenty of cool looking computers built in to aircraft instrument panels. Yes, some of them run Windows.
First, you can be assured that they only update via a firmware media card such as SDRAM. Nobody's going to point a Bluetooth antenna at an airplane and knock it out of the sky.
Second, of the gripes that most of you have about Windows, the majority and the most egregious behaviors have to do with what happens when you network these things to insecure places. Windows has actually become quite stable in the last few releases. In a stand-alone configuration these systems are fairly reliable platforms.
Third, most pilots rarely get in to the down and dirty features of their displays. They don't have the time, nor do most of them care enough to learn any more than they need to get the airplane safely from point A to point B. You can say one thing for certain about Windows: the path is well worn. As long as you are doing relatively conventional stuff, it will serve you well.
Fourth, these are just navigation boxes. There are backup instruments. If a navigation computer dies, there will be other resources to navigate with. There are very few things in the panel of the airplane which do not have a backup of some sort --particularly where the avionics stack is concerned.
I say this as one who really doesn't like using or programming with Windows. Like any tool, it has its flaws; though when properly used, it can be quite safe.
Re:Aircraft and Windows (Score:4, Insightful)
Parent
But is it "Mission-Critical"? (Score:5, Insightful)
He's (probably) talking about in the cabin. If that's the case, so what? Worst case: passengers can't watch the inflight movie. (I might even be grateful for that)
Cars are an obvious target for viruses. It's okay if you don't use the operating system for the engine and the brakes, but when you do...
One of the BIG things drummed into me during flight training was: fly the airplane. It doesn't matter if the nav systems are acting up. The same applies to automobiles. (Though I'm sure there will be accidents "caused" by crashed Nav. systems)
Bill Gates is a known Lexus driver. In 1999 he auctioned one for charity.
I can't decide if this a non-sequitir, or a wonderfully subversive way to relate insecurity and viruses with Microsoft/Bill Gates.
Symbian? (Score:5, Insightful)
No, wait. No it's not. There still doesn't exists a single Symbian VIRUS which could SELF-REPLICATE. Because it should be impossible.
If a phone asks you:
a) Random guy is sending you a file, do you want to receive it?
b) This file is an installable application with name XYZ, would you like to install it?
c) The origin of this application could not be verified, unless you trust the source, it is not recommended to install it. Would you like to install it anyway?
d) Application XYZ want's to use bluetooth interface, do you allow this?
Do you answer YES to each of these questions?
I wouldn't.
Anyway, if this one truely replicates without user intervention, there must exists a way to execute the code. What is the normal way to achieve this on PC? Stack/buffer flaw within a privileged process.
Now, I'm going to say something which will come and bite me in the ass: There is no way to execute code 'accidentally' in Symbian.
If you have evidence to the contrary, I'd be most interested in how it is done...
Sorry about my pompous attitude. I'm sure someone will figure something out in the future, but right now, is there a way?
Additional details (Score:5, Informative)
I drive an LS430. The navigation system, phone, audio system, and air conditioning control system are driven by a system made by Denso. I can't say with certainty what operating system it's running, but it looks like an evolution of a design they've had going since at least 1998.
The Bluetooth interface is rather limited. You can use the hands-free capability after pairing it with your phone. You can transfer a phonebook using the OBEX profile. To my knowledge, none of the other Bluetooth profiles are supported--most notably the Object Push Protocol (OPP). In order to get OBEX phonebook transfers to work, you have to put the car phone system into a special mode; it won't just blindly accept transfers--even from paired devices. If this system is running Symbian and is really vulnerable, I wonder if it manifests itself only when attempting to transfer phonebook entries from an infected device.
The same navigation system is used in a number of cars beyond the Lexus LS430 and LX470. The SC430, GX430, and RX330 use the same Bluetooth system, as does Toyota's Land Cruiser and Prius.
Phil
Arogant ignorance (Score:4, Informative)
In your article Mobile virus infects Lexus cars by David Quainton a reference is made to Symbian operating system as follows:
" It is still unclear whether the cars in question use the Symbian operating system which has recently been under attack from various worms and viruses. "
Symbian is a MOBILE PHONE operating system and has nothing to do with cars. No car manufacturers are Symbian licensees. This could not have been hard to verify - Symbian's web site (www.symbian.com) clearly lists Symbian licensees.
Further to this, what you refer to as "various worms and viruses" is actually malware. All existing malware for Symbian is not based on bad code exploits but rather on user's explicitly bypassing security and dismissing security warnings.
Please ensure that this error is corrected asap. This is bad press for a good company (Symbian) and I am sure they will not waste time in debunking this ignorant rant.
Re:Serves you right (Score:2)
Re:Serves you right (Score:2)
It's like when you buy a old russian mig jet. You buy one to fly, and one for parts.
Re:Serves you right (Score:2)
Re:Aeroplane! (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
Re:Aeroplane! (Score:2, Funny)
[long pause]
Well, uh, see ya.
Re:Aeroplane! (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
Re:Aeroplane! (Score:5, Insightful)
I remember saying 'thrice' to an American once. He thought I was quoting Shakespeare!
X.
Parent