There are few things more sensitive than our drone technology, especially a stealth drone: Source: IRAN AIRS FOOTAGE OF THE CAPTURED DRONE - Business Insider If someone had a nuclear device and wanted to deliver it, a stealth drone would be an ideal platform. Unlike a rocket, it can't be detected by satellite systems. A difficult radar target, again, all but impossible to detect. At slow speeds, easily GPS guided. The current hypothesis is the Iranians spoofed the GPS signals to get the drone to fly to the capture point. Bob Wilson
Perhaps the title of this post should have been more descriptive, instead of just trying to draw attention. I was giving PC owners a friendly heads up on how easy it is to steal a Prius, not engage discussion regarding international weaponry.
I'm not trying to be difficult but why not a tow truck? The Iranian trick was more impressive. It was done without touching the vehicle until it was captured. The Prius and Escape hacks were more direct with removing of the dash and electrical connections to the vehicle electronics. Now if the Prius hackers do that to a second, stock Prius they are not allowed to touch, I would be impressed. Bob Wilson
I must respectfully disagree. He has a physical connection into the CANBUS. He can't stand outside a random car and tell it to do things. He would still need a tow truck to steal a Prius, same as anyone else.
CAN bus hacking puts all modern cars at risk, but these two examples probably more than most. I think it is very appropriate for Valasek and Miller to give the heads up. But I think they could have just as effective (at their stated goal) by anonymizing things just a bit. I remember many discussions here and Yahoo Prius technical stuff concerning network hacking that was not entirely different. The other old codgers do as well. Seems to me an important issue is what can be done over bluetooth or other wireless portals. That, at least, needs a firewall. With a physical connection to the bus,you could add layers of security, at the expense of making legitimate vehicle maintenance more difficult to perform. +++ Bob, I agree that a large drone could deliver something like a 400 kg W88. Perhaps not a much heavier fission package that rookies might be able to put together. There are many smaller non-fission devices that a rookie could make that I sure don't want dropped on my head. I suppose that GPS spoofing will change in the future when there are 4 parallel networks of geolocating satellites. That's where we are headed, right? India is out of the game? Then one would be continuously checking for consensus.
If you're concerned about weight, just put it in one of those intermodal land/sea containers and have a semi deliver it. Costs around $4,000, gives you a 60,000 LBS capacity. The mark IV GPS spoofer will have four antennas. Possession will be a felony. You'll be able to run it from your smart phone.
