3.5 Trojans and Vehicles
263
with the outside world using two-way communication and, therefore, become more
vulnerable by definition.” With distribution of entertainment and communication
devices, including MP3 and iPod adapters, as well as USB ports, more channels
emerge for penetration of viruses into the electronic system of the vehicle.
The emergence of connection between vehicles and infotainment devices is not a
big problem currently: as long as the multimedia interface is separated from control
computers of the vehicle, the worst thing that can happen is the failure of multimedia
equipment.
However, as soon as these two components are linked, the door will be wide
open for viruses. It will only be a matter of time before hackers manage to pick the
necessary key for performance of their malicious actions.
This problem can spread like a snowball with the beginning of the age of selfcommunicating vehicles. Manufacturers are currently working on these future cars.
Some of the automobile industry giants, such as Mercedes or Volvo, have already
achieved some success in this field. Their new models fitted with such phenomenal
capabilities are already exposed to minor risks.
Car companies understand that their new products are now at risk. They are
working on performing preventive actions and eliminating even smallest possibilities
for intruders to penetrate into the vehicle control system.
However, as we know, there is eventually a key for any lock.
3.6 Exotic Spy Equipment
3.6.1 Data Stealing Through Computer Coolers
Experts from the Ben-Gurion University (Israel) for several years have been developing the ways that would allow stealing data from physically isolated computers.
In 2015, they demonstrated the attack BitWhisper, which uses heat measurement to
obtain information from the systems that are not connected to the Internet. That is,
using heat emissions of the computer, it is possible to transfer data between isolated
systems.
In practice, it is difficult to implement data stealing using BitWhisper, as for
successful information exchange both computers need to be infected with a specific
type of malware, and the distance between system units of computers shall not exceed
40 cm; moreover, the maximum data transmission rate achievable by BitWhisper is
currently within 8 bits per hour (Fig. 3.22).
However, the same scientists have also studied the possibility of stealing data
using computer fans. This team of scientists from the Ben-Gurion university is mostly
known due to creation of the AirHopper program [21], which used FM receiver in the
mobile phone to analyze electromagnetic radiation emitted by the computer’s graphic
card. In addition, the researchers suggested extracting information from machines
263
with the outside world using two-way communication and, therefore, become more
vulnerable by definition.” With distribution of entertainment and communication
devices, including MP3 and iPod adapters, as well as USB ports, more channels
emerge for penetration of viruses into the electronic system of the vehicle.
The emergence of connection between vehicles and infotainment devices is not a
big problem currently: as long as the multimedia interface is separated from control
computers of the vehicle, the worst thing that can happen is the failure of multimedia
equipment.
However, as soon as these two components are linked, the door will be wide
open for viruses. It will only be a matter of time before hackers manage to pick the
necessary key for performance of their malicious actions.
This problem can spread like a snowball with the beginning of the age of selfcommunicating vehicles. Manufacturers are currently working on these future cars.
Some of the automobile industry giants, such as Mercedes or Volvo, have already
achieved some success in this field. Their new models fitted with such phenomenal
capabilities are already exposed to minor risks.
Car companies understand that their new products are now at risk. They are
working on performing preventive actions and eliminating even smallest possibilities
for intruders to penetrate into the vehicle control system.
However, as we know, there is eventually a key for any lock.
3.6 Exotic Spy Equipment
3.6.1 Data Stealing Through Computer Coolers
Experts from the Ben-Gurion University (Israel) for several years have been developing the ways that would allow stealing data from physically isolated computers.
In 2015, they demonstrated the attack BitWhisper, which uses heat measurement to
obtain information from the systems that are not connected to the Internet. That is,
using heat emissions of the computer, it is possible to transfer data between isolated
systems.
In practice, it is difficult to implement data stealing using BitWhisper, as for
successful information exchange both computers need to be infected with a specific
type of malware, and the distance between system units of computers shall not exceed
40 cm; moreover, the maximum data transmission rate achievable by BitWhisper is
currently within 8 bits per hour (Fig. 3.22).
However, the same scientists have also studied the possibility of stealing data
using computer fans. This team of scientists from the Ben-Gurion university is mostly
known due to creation of the AirHopper program [21], which used FM receiver in the
mobile phone to analyze electromagnetic radiation emitted by the computer’s graphic
card. In addition, the researchers suggested extracting information from machines