Attn Lexus drivers (I'm looking at you Eric)

[Nick Koan]

http://www.infosecnews.com/news/inde...;newsType=News (link with popup)

Mobile virus infects Lexus cars
by David Quainton

Lexus cars may be vulnerable to viruses that infect them via mobile phones. Landcruiser 100 models LX470 and LS430 have been discovered with infected operating systems that transfer within a range of 15 feet.

"If infected mobile devices are scary, just thinking about an infected onboard computer..," said Eugene Kaspersky, head of anti-virus research at Russian firm Kaspersky. "We do know that car manufacturers are integrating existing operating systems into their onboard computers (take the Fiat and Microsoft deal, for instance)."

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.

"At this stage it's still early but it just goes to show that technology has consequences," said David Emm, senior technology consultant at Kaspersky. "It's scary stuff."

Vulnerable operating systems are increasingly moving onto a number of different devices. Last year the Slammer worm infected 13,000 Bank of America ATMs as a result of them moving to a Windows-based operating system.

"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..."

Bill Gates is a known Lexus driver. In 1999 he auctioned one for charity.

When contacted Lexus declined to comment.

[MattR]

Sweet...

[ScottyS]

"No, I can't pick you up...........could we use your ride instead? My Lexus has an infection."

[tysonK]

luckily Eric has Subaru antibodies.

[qksubi]

Great thats all I need is another car I cant drive :shock:

[MattR]

Originally Posted by qksubi

Great thats all I need is another car I cant drive :shock:

Did the Ford take a Ford?

[AtomicLabMonkey]

Originally Posted by nKoan

"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.

Ok, now that is scary in and of itself.

[MattR]

Originally Posted by AtomicLabMonkey

Ok, now that is scary in and of itself.

Seriously, what exactly do you do when your airplane gives you the blue screen of death, i can't imagine that ends well...

[MikeSTI]

Originally Posted by MattR

Seriously, what exactly do you do when your airplane gives you the blue screen of death, i can't imagine that ends well...

attition airline costomers we our experencing some dificulties in the cabin but should be back up in a few minutes...............hopefully the systems rebots before we hit the ground......is the PA still on

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MattR

Seriously, what exactly do you do when your airplane gives you the blue screen of death, i can't imagine that ends well...

I can imagine where those screenshots came from... Photoshop.

I don't believe that you can legally operate a mission critical system with software that isn't auditable. Essentially, since Microsoft won't let anyone see their source code, it can't be used for things like aircraft control. That's why planes like the Boeing 777 run on QNX... the source code is available.

So, if this "security expert" has "seen screenshots of major commercial aeroplanes with Windows 2000-based operating systems" then he saw someone's laptop on the flight deck, or some auxilary system that runs Windows... maybe it's the plane's mp3 player for the cabin radio. Or he simply saw a doctored "screenshot".

On a side note: At least Windows 2000 is the most stable version of Windows to date.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MikeSTI

hopefully the systems rebots before we hit the ground......is the PA still on[/i]

This is fucking histerical!