Hacker duo demonstrate how they hacked into a Tesla Model S
11 Aug 2015
Researchers Kevin Mahaffey and Marc Rogers were able to hack into the Tesla Model S, an exploit said to be very difficult but not impossible, CNET reported.
The duo remotely unlocked the Model S' doors, started the vehicle and drove away.
They also issued a "kill" command to a Model S to shut down the vehicle's systems, and brought it to a stop.
At this weekend's Defcon digital security conference they showed all in attendance how they did it.
According to the researchers, the $105,000 Model S was an archetype for what ''all cars will look like in the future," which made it their choice for the demo.
They added the Model S was also well designed and secure. In fact, they dwelt upon the many dead ends they encountered as they attempted to crack the Tesla for almost 40 minutes of their 50 minute talk.
Though the researchers were finally able to get inside the Tesla's systems and demonstrate that the Model S was not hack-proof, they said the vehicle's information systems were remarkably well-protected and its defences almost were impregnable to hackers.
Earlier security researchers, Charlie Miller and Chris Valase had hacked into the system of a Jeep Chrysler, takin control of the vehicle while it was on the road. (See: Security researchers hijack cars remotely).