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Hackers Remotely Attack Moving Tesla Model S

Fortunately, the electric car maker acted quickly and has already patched the bugs.

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Did you think only Jeeps were vulnerable to hacking? Think again.

Nextcar Bug artChinese security researchers this week revealed multiple security vulnerabilities that allowed them to remotely hack a Tesla Model S sedan.

The electric car maker has already patched the bugs. But researchers from Keen Security Lab, a division of the Chinese Web giant Tencent, demonstrated their attack in a YouTube video posted Monday. The team was able to gain remote control of the unmodified, fully up-to-date car by hacking into an onboard computer system called CAN bus.

As you can see in the video below, the researchers opened a parked Tesla's sunroof, turned on the steering lights, and moved its seat from their laptop while standing across a parking lot. They also demonstrated how they were able to remotely hack the car's display to make it inoperable and show the Keen Security Lab logo, as well as open the vehicle's door.

Next, they showed what they could do while the car was in motion — like remotely start the windshield wipers, fold in the car's side view mirrors, and open the trunk. Perhaps most concerning, the researchers were able to manipulate the car's brake system from 12 miles away, halting the car with the press of a button.

Achieving the hack took "several months on in-depth research," the team said. They verified the attack vector on multiple versions of the Model S and assume the problem affects other Tesla models as well.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Keen Security Lab said it notified the automaker, which confirmed the vulnerabilities and quickly fixed them. Reuters on Tuesday reported that Tesla rolled out a security patch, and users will not have to tack action.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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