Sensors & Switches

The hackers don't need to...
The idiots who wrote the original software already screwed it up sufficiently.
Del

Aside from the possible dangers to the occupants during a hijacking, I am not worried at all. I have insurance.

Most car manufacturers are dumping more and more technology into their vehicles. The technology, an ECM for example, is not an option you can build into the car, you get it whether you like it or not because the car needs it to run.

And once we get used to things like power door locks, it's difficult to go back to manual.

IMHO, it's more dangerous to leave insurance documents in the vehicle that can lead the crook back to your home. Leaving the garage door opener in the vehicle is risky too.

If planes can be why not automobiles.

If you are using GPS you can be misguided to a corner

It all depends on the age of your vehicle and how much you've let "smart" (??) devices into your life.

In my case, I have an older car that doesn't have On-Star, GPS, or anything like it. One look at the car would, also, make anyone keep going if they were looking for something of value. And I never intend to buy a car with such features. I've bought used cars my whole life and I feel sure that between my age and a car's lifetime, I may never have to own a vehicle that can be tracked or fiddled with remotely. If I do, it will have the minimum remote control that I can find. Since I don't keep up with new car technology, maybe someone else knows... Can you buy a car without "trackable" technology? (In other words, as an option.) And if not, when was the last model year you could avoid it? From what I understand, cell phones have it built-in whether you like that or not.

Another example of "take what you get" technology is DirecTV (and I assume any TV service providers). The software upgrades happen without any control by the subscriber. If you don't like how the new software works, tough. I've called and complained 4 times in the last few days about the latest one. It's so "smart" that it is annoying. If I try to utilize the on-screen Guide to look for programs and "Autotune" any of them, while the signal is passing through my DVR (the TV is set to show that "connection"), the software now tells me that either my TV or my cables are not HD, because it now doesn't "see" the TV on the end of the HDMI cable anymore -- presumably because it has been totally switched off from the HD satellite receiver, or is in a high-impedance mode. And no matter what button you press on the DirecTV remote you can't get past this "warning" screen until you return your TV to be "presenting" to you the HDMI connection. Oh, it will go away after a few seconds, but just press any buttons on the remote and it rears it's ugly head again. It is a fine example of software so smart that it's dumb AND inconvenient. So much technology is crammed down consumer's throats. When "computer chips" first appeared in cars it was very annoying for shade-tree mechanics. Now tools can be bought at auto parts stores to allow people to somewhat work on their own cars, but it pruned a lot off from doing so.

Also, I don't have any high-tech mobile devices that pose a threat, AFAIK. My cell phone is rarely used for anything other than emergency calls and stays turned off unless I'm making a call. My friends know, generally, not to call me on my cell #. The voice mail I may get is usually some ad from the phone service provider. Ditto for any messages.

I haven't had any serious computer infections since I started using Sandboxie. I use it both at work and home. As a matter of fact, I don't recall any. And that's been over 3 years now. Many others have avoided problems just by being smart about their web activity.

BUT, given that the world has become saturated with "smart" devices, it is only prudent to be aware of issues like these. One can't always think of everything. So to be reminded of potential risks with today's technology is a good thing. We all have to regularly assess our vulnerabilities and take necessary precautions. Sometimes we learn the hard way after an "event" occurs.

So, I would say you have to do both -- minimize the use of such technology and think security when it is used. I wouldn't use embedded technology anywhere it really isn't needed. ("Need" is somewhat created by the mgfs. of such equipment.) Exposure to risks is, to a large degree, by choice. If you don't like the risks, don't own the technology. If you want the technology, then accept that there are risks and learn to manage them. I have gotten along OK all of my life without an iPhone or iPad and will do just fine in the future without them. I find the presumed "need" just that -- presumed. Whatever you get used to "seems" like something you need. Not true.

(Sorry for the long post. The downside to "smart" technology provokes me that way.)

They can have mine.

Old News: Scientists Hack Into Cars' Computers -- Control Brakes, Engine

And you'd better not be late on your car payment or it's curtains for you, Batman:

Austin Hacker Disables More Than 100 Cars Remotely