First off, if you think telematics is the shortcut for ‘telephone mathematics’ then you are not smarter than a fifth grader! It’s actually from the words telecommunications and informatics, which simply means the remote access or control of something with the use of a computer, smartphone or tablet to have it perform specific tasks.

It’s really cool to control something remotely, just like the smarthomes where you can actually turn off home appliances with the use of your smartphone–great for really busy and forgetful people.  And cars are also coming equipped with features that tie to your mobile phone, via an app.  Ford’s cloud-based Sync Services is an automated system that lets drivers use voice commands to look up businesses, directions, traffic updates, and other information, such as sports scores, stock quotes, and horoscopes. Sync Services can even send turn-by-turn directions to your car, ready and waiting for your next trip.  There’s also a Nissan LEAF app that allows users to check the state of battery charge, remotely start a battery charge, and see statistics related to battery charge status, estimated driving range and climate control.

General Motors has the OnStar feature that keeps you safely connected while in your vehicle. With OnStar, you’ll enjoy services like Automatic Crash Response, Navigation, Roadside Assistance and Hands-Free Calling.  And State Farm just launched In-Drive, which features roadside assistance, emergency response, and stolen vehicle location, and also provides alerts and reminders about auto maintenance, like the features we’ve seen on many smartphone apps.

So with cars and homes becoming more like computer extensions, aren’t they more susceptible to carjacking and home invasions?  At the recent Black Hat convention, a couple of iSec Partners in the US used an Android phone to hack into a Subaru Outback’s security system by “war texting.”  They set up a GSM network and, after just a couple of hours, hacked the password and authentication messages sent between the server and the car, which enabled them to open the door and start the engine of the car.  According to Don Bailey, one of the hackers,

“I could care less if I could unlock a car door. It’s cool. It’s sexy but the same system is used to control phone, power, traffic systems. I think that’s the real threat.”

This just proves how vehicles are becoming more vulnerable to carjacking or worse, being manipulated while you’re driving it.  A hack could kill your engine, mess with your brakes and such.   And though it was demonstrated in a Subaru Outback, they also stated that there are more vehicles susceptible to these type of attacks and they will not release the brands until something has been done to resolve the issue.

Michael McHale, Subaru’s director of corporate communications stated that, “I don’t think it’s a Subaru situation.  I think the same technology would work on most cars on the market.”

Technology is great, but when it becomes a threat to one’s safety, people better think about it’s long-term implications.  It’s cool to have a life-size, remote-controlled car, but I don’t think anyone would enjoy it if they find themselves trapped in their vehicle, watching an impending accident.

Though the hackers did not give detailed information how they used a mobile app to break into a car, now that hackers know it can be done, concerns are on the rise, especially in today’s era of increasing mobile and web security threats.  With more devices becoming connected devices, it’s certainly a trend consumers should watch closely.