“How many ECUs are in this car?” … “Upwards of 35 in this one” ECUs are Electronic Control Units, and they are in ALL the new cars that we drive today. Each control unit is usually located right under the passenger glove box, and each ECU can be hacked to control the car WHILE YOU’RE DRIVING! ECUs control many different operations from brakes, dash control readings, sensors, and other variables that involve digital technology in the vehicle.
In this video, Chris Valasek, Director of Security Intelligence for a company called IOActive, demonstrates the “fun” of becoming a backseat driver of the future with the aid of a laptop and MYFI connection to hack the car. Just watch the video, and you’ll see how a little fun can be interpreted many different ways if you are up on global awareness…