EXCLUSIVE: Ultra-wideband radio has been heralded as the solution for “relay attacks” that are used to steal cars in seconds. But researchers found Teslas equipped with it are as vulnerable as ever.

EXCLUSIVE: Ultra-wideband radio has been heralded as the solution for “relay attacks” that are used to steal cars in seconds. But researchers found Teslas equipped with it are as vulnerable as ever.

  • rbn@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    82·
    7 months ago

    I’m neither a tesla owner nor a fanboy and as far as I know this issue affects more or less all modern cars with keyless open. And Tesla at least offers a way to reduce the risk of the entire car being stolen. With PIN to drive a thief may still open the car and steal the stuff inside but can’t easily start the engine.

    • nxdefiant@startrek.websiteEnglish
      3·
      7 months ago

      Even better, every car is vulnerable to the “brick through the window” attack, but at least PIN to drive means the car will still be there.

      • blindsight@beehaw.orgEnglish
        2·
        7 months ago

        True, I suppose, but it’s still a big deal. Walking up to a remotely-unlocked car and getting in then driving away won’t incite anyone to call the police.

        I am getting tired of journalists throwing “Tesla” in every headline, especially for important consumer information like this. How many people aren’t going to read this because they think it doesn’t affect their car?

      • rbn@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        4·
        7 months ago

        Sorry, I’m not a native speaker and so far I thought engine and motor to be synonyms in context of cars. But if you google it doesn’t seem to be completely wrong. It’s just uncommon like that.

        Can we call an electric motor an electric engine? That really sounds wrong, doesn’t it? According to the current definitions in the English language of “motor” and “engine, calling an electric propulsion device an engine is completely acceptable as well. You won’t find us doing that any time soon, however.

        https://www.electrifiedmag.com/news/motor-vs-engine-whats-the-difference-and-why-does-it-matter/