Cars hacked by 'wireless' University researchers

American university students at Rutgers University, and the University of South Carolina have hacked 2 different cars using each car's tyre pressure monitoring sensors, and wireless equipment costing a mere $1,500 USD.

These bright students were able to affect the car's Engine Control Units by accessing wireless signals that were .emitted by the car's wireless tyre pressure sensors.

It seems that the effected cars had wireless tyre pressure monitors, which could be accessed using radio sensors, and special software.

Granted, the signals were short-range, and could only be affected if the transmission device was very close to the car. But, the students were still able to cause lights on the dash to illuminate, and even crash the engine computer completely.

The full details of the study are set to be released at a security conference later this month. But the study does highlight the fact that the electronics in most modern cars do have serious security/firewall issues.