Imagine driving your car when suddenly, without any physical cause, the engine dies, and you begin rolling backward. This isn’t a scene from a sci-fi movie, but a real demonstration of car hacking, as experienced by a writer for VICE. This wasn’t due to a mechanical failure, but a deliberate, wireless attack orchestrated by a security researcher from across a parking lot. This eye-opening event raises a critical question for many in today’s connected world: Where To Buy Car Hacking Tools?
The reality is that the phrase “car hacking tool” might conjure images of readily available software or devices for malicious purposes. However, the landscape is far more nuanced. The individuals at the forefront of car hacking are not interested in causing chaos or accidents. Instead, they are security researchers, often referred to as “white hat hackers,” who are dedicated to exposing vulnerabilities in modern vehicle technology. Their goal is to pressure automotive manufacturers to enhance their security measures and stay ahead of potential threats.
In a revealing episode of “Phreaked Out,” VICE showcased individuals like Mathew Solnik, an information security researcher who demonstrated firsthand the ability to wirelessly control a vehicle. Solnik, using readily available components and his extensive knowledge, invested approximately a month of his spare time to reverse-engineer a car’s computer system. This allowed him to wirelessly send commands, manipulating the engine, brakes, and security systems remotely by tapping into the car’s Controller Area Network (CAN bus).
Solnik’s setup involved off-the-shelf chips, a third-party telematic control unit, and a GSM-powered wireless transmitter/receiver. This additional hardware was necessary to emulate the connectivity features found in newer vehicles, which are increasingly equipped with data connections and, consequently, more potential entry points for intrusion. While hacking a brand new, highly connected car might seem more relevant, the demonstration highlighted that even older models can be made vulnerable with the right expertise and tools.
Another significant figure in the car hacking world is Alberto Garcia Illera, part of a Spanish security research team that developed the CHT device. This tool, comparable in size to a smartphone, is a powerful car hacking instrument that is significantly more accessible in terms of cost than complex setups. The CHT device requires only brief physical access to a vehicle’s CAN bus – around five minutes – to inject packets of data wirelessly from a distance via Bluetooth and GSM.
With the CHT device, researchers can execute a wide range of commands, from benign actions like changing the radio station to critical manipulations such as activating the handbrake at speed or disabling headlights. It’s crucial to reiterate that these capabilities are demonstrated to underscore the weaknesses in current automotive security systems, not to provide tools for illicit activities.
So, returning to the initial question: where can one buy these car hacking tools? The answer is that tools like the ones used by Solnik and Illera, especially the sophisticated CHT device, are not typically available for public purchase. They are primarily instruments for security researchers and professionals in the automotive cybersecurity field. You won’t find them on general retail sites like Amazon or at your local electronics store.
The components Mathew Solnik used are commercially available electronic parts, but the crucial element is the “know-how” – the deep understanding of vehicle systems and networking protocols required to repurpose and integrate these components effectively for hacking purposes. Similarly, the CHT device, while more integrated, is a product of specialized security research and is likely distributed within a limited circle of professionals and researchers.
The purpose of highlighting these tools and researchers is not to encourage car hacking. Instead, it’s to raise awareness about the importance of robust vehicle cybersecurity. The work of ethical hackers like Solnik and Illera is vital in pushing the automotive industry to take security more seriously. Automakers are indeed listening; both Mathew and Alberto are now consultants for various automotive manufacturers, helping to fortify vehicle security against potential future attacks.
In conclusion, while the idea of purchasing a “car hacking tool” might be intriguing, the reality is that these tools are not consumer products. The focus should be on understanding the crucial role of ethical hacking in improving car security and recognizing that the expertise and specialized devices are primarily used to make vehicles safer for everyone on the road. Instead of seeking to buy car hacking tools, the real value lies in supporting and understanding the importance of automotive cybersecurity research and development.
