Driving and texting do not go well together, although in a way different from what one can think. Computer hackers can unlock some car doors and start their engines without key by sending specially designed messages to car’s anti-theft system. They can also spy where you have been tapping GPS system. This is done since car alarms, GPS system and some other devices are connected to cellular networks and receive commands by text messaging.  This allows to change the settings remotely and gives hackers a way in.

Recently researchers from iSEC partners demonstrated a similar unidentified attack on Subaru Outback with vulnerable alarm. Using a laptop on hood, Subaru’s alarm system commands to unlock the doors and to start the engine were sent. Texts are not just about telling friends if they are running late or if they are free for dinner but texts are a powerful means of attack as well. This is because the devices cannot decline texts and commands encoded n them. It is not possible for the users to reject the texts; this can be blocked only by phone networks. So if you come across secret phone number attached o any device, you can block it by sending your own commands via text messaging.

There are network administration programs which allow probing into the networks to see the devices on them. This will help in knowing the type and even the model of the device. This information is used by the hackers to craft attacks against the vulnerable devices. The research from Don Bailey and Mat Solnik is troubling as it says the attacks are on devices using wireless communication chips including ATMS, traffic lights and medical devices. Hackers have already made texts which can disconnect iPhone from the cellular network. Bailey, specialization in cell phone network security, found that such techniques can also be used by few types of GPS system to cough up its location.

This has introduced many more dangers like affecting braking and acceleration as networked electronics are usually coupled with physical machinery. The research became the concerning issue for electric utilities trade group, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. As such it cautioned the use of wireless chips exploited by the pair used at power plants. The vulnerable GPS system made by Zoombak Inc. said that it has made relevant changes to the devices which ensure the outside parties cannot get location data without passwords.