Mobile virus infects Lexus cars

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

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From: <EEkid () aol com>
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 17:43:39 -0500 (EST)
To: <dave () farber net>
Subject: Mobile virus infects Lexus cars

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.

www.lexus.com <http://www.lexus.com/>
www.kaspersky.com <http://www.kaspersky.com/>
www.f-secure.com <http://www.f-secure.com>

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