"Right now, there aren't a lot of ways for hackers to remotely attack cars: Bluetooth, wireless tire sensors, telematics units," he added.
And all Mini Coopers, even ones without the run-flat tires, get a standard flat-tire sensor.
They're also asking the community to test for bugs in hardware they own or have access to for testing, like tire pressure sensors and remote keyless entry systems.
Exceptions are the tire-pressure sensors, which will become standard equipment by 2003, and the ceiling-mounted air bags, which will be installed only on sport utilities, Ford engineers said.
Everything else is standard: the traction and stability systems; a five-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted manually; heated power seats with leather trim; xenon headlamps; power sunroof; high-performance tires; and sensors that adjust the air bags' deployment based on the speed of a crash and whether occupants are wearing safety belts.
At Fioravanti, the designer Leonardo Fioravanti works on ideas like tires with sensors built into their treads to assure control even on slippery surfaces, small television cameras in place of rear view mirrors and a gear shift that resembles a computer mouse.
For example, air-conditioning is a must for most of today's buyers whereas fewer people have strong feelings about options such as traction control or remote tire-pressure sensors.
Phones in general are all bad, except payphones, if you can still find such a dinosaur; late-model cars are bad; cars with wireless tire-pressure sensors are bad; what's good are open spaces, in the middle of nowhere, where you can have a conversation in person".
The paper enumerated the attack surfaces, including channels that provide remote access: Bluetooth, in-vehicle Wi-Fi, telematics, remote keyless entry and RFID immobilizers, dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) used to communicate between vehicles and the road infrastructure, global positioning (GPS), satellite radio and even tire pressure monitor sensors.
