In a chilling reminder of how connected technology can turn into a security nightmare, a hacker recently uncovered major vulnerabilities in a carmaker’s online portal—loopholes so serious they allowed remote access to vehicles anywhere in the world.
According to reports, the hacker stumbled upon the flaw while exploring the company’s web-based services, designed to let customers lock, unlock, and even start their cars through a smartphone or computer. Unfortunately, poor coding and insufficient authentication checks meant that with just a few tweaks, the hacker could bypass restrictions and control any car linked to the system.
While the hacker claims to have acted ethically—reporting the issue to the manufacturer instead of exploiting it—the discovery raises uncomfortable questions. Modern vehicles are packed with “smart” features that rely on cloud connectivity, but every line of code is a potential doorway for cybercriminals. In this case, that doorway could have been used to unlock cars, disable alarms, and potentially make off with vehicles without ever touching a key.
The carmaker has since patched the vulnerability and assured customers that no malicious exploitation occurred. However, cybersecurity experts warn that as cars become more like rolling computers, automakers must prioritize security testing as much as safety testing.
The incident serves as a wake-up call—not only for manufacturers but for drivers too. If your car offers remote control through an app, treat it like you would online banking: use strong passwords, enable multi-factor authentication if available, and update software regularly.
It’s a brave new world where your next car theft might not involve a crowbar or a slim jim—just a hacker, a laptop, and a poorly protected server. And that’s a reality no driver wants to face.
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