Car Hack Uses Digital-Radio Broadcasts to Seize Control

Car Infotainment System Vulnerable to Hack Attack

According to a leading security company, most of the car infotainment systems tend to become vulnerable to a hack attack which could probably put many lives at risk. NCC Group had stated that the activity could be utilised in taking control of a vehicle’s brakes as well as the other critical systems.

BBC had been informed by the Manchester based company that it had generated a way of carrying out the attacks by sending data through digital audio broadcasting – DAB, radio signals. This coincides with news of a related flaw by two US researchers. Chris Valasek and Charlie Miller had shown Wired magazine how control is overtaken of a Jeep Cherokee car by sending data to its internet connected entertainment as well as navigation system through a mobile phone network.

Chrysler has also released a patch to address the problem but NCC’s work that has been limited to its lab indicated a broader issue. UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders have replied stating that the car companies, `invest billions of pounds to keep vehicles secure as possible’.

Infotainment Systems Process DAB Data for Text & Pictures - Dashboard

Part of its technique had been demonstrated by NCC to BBC Radio 4’s PM programme at its office in Cheltenham. Andy Davis, the company’s research director had used relatively cheap off-the-shelf gears that were connected to a laptop and created a DAB station. Since infotainment systems process DAB data in displaying text and pictures on car dashboard screens, an attacker could send code which could enable them take over the system and once the infotainment has compromised, an attacker could possibly utilise it as a means of controlling more critical system which could include the steering as well as the braking.

Based on the power of the transmitter, Davis states that a DAB broadcast could enable attacker in affecting several cars at once. He further added that `as this is a broadcast medium and if there is vulnerability in a particular infotainment system in a specific manufacturer’s vehicle, on sending one stream of data, one could attack several cars at the same time. An assailant could perhaps even choose a common radio station in broadcasting over the top of, to ensure that they have reached the maximum number of target vehicles’

Modern Cars – Computer Networks on Wheel

Mr Davis had refrained from publicly identifying which of the specific infotainment system he had hacked at that point. Modern cars, in several ways are computer networks on wheel. Mike Parris of SBD, which is another company that concentrates in vehicle security, stated that modern cars usually comprises of 50 interlinked computers that run more than 50 million lines of code and that by contrast, Davis had commented that a modern airliner has around 14 million lines of code.

Such a kind of technology enables the latest cars to carry out automatic tactics, for instance, a driver could make the vehicleparkparallel at the touch of a button.He also said that he had faked his DAB based attack only on an equipment in his company’s buildings since it would have been illegal as well as unsafe in doing so in the outside world.

However he added that he had earlier compromised a real vehicle’s automatic braking system which had been designed in order to prevent it from crashing into the car before it, by modifying an infotainment system which he believed could have been duplicated through a DAB broadcast.

Polite Robots Show Glimmer of Self-Awareness

From past many years we are using robots and now they have many advance technologies as well as artificial intelligence as what we have seen in movies such as; Ex Machina, I-Robot, Surrogate mother, Her and more. But this time three robots have solved a classic philosophical problem to showcase its glimmer of self-consciousness. To do extremely novel experiment these particular trios of robot are composed of three old Nao models and the result were also amazing.

These robots were programmed to think, however two of them have taken the dumbing pill and because of that they were unable to speak (as per technology its only button which have make them silent). But during the experiment researchers were not aware that exactly which two of them had been silenced. And at the end when robots asked to answer that which two had taken the dumbing pill, so all of them tried to respond with a statement that “I don’t Know”.

And since then only one is able to speak the words and it heard as well as recognized its own voice which proves that it was not among the two who had been silenced. After that robot responded, “Sorry and now I know the answer who has taken the dumbing pill and it was not me because now I can speak”. In the entire experiment, not only Nao bots were polite, but also they need give test to accomplish very simple type of self awareness. But all the three robots must be able to get the question as well as they should also be able to recognize their own voice. And they must be able to understand that there are able to speak and they are not among those robots who have received the dumbing pills.

However; the entire test was on the basis of variation with induction puzzle known as; The King's Wise Men. In the scenario of puzzle king have to select the wisest men for new the position of advisor and to do that he invited three wisest men into his court where king was about to conduct fair contest. He asked all the three men to put their white or blue hat on their heads, but they will be not able to see the color of hat. And later kind told them that at-least one of them is wearing the blue hat and whoever; will tell the name of person who is wearing blue hat will be the wise man. In realty, the solution is that they all are wearing the blue hat.

Selmer Bringsjord, who is professor at the (RPI) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York conduct the test on robots where he was working on developing the artificial intelligence systems on the basis of computational logic, however; later his work published at RO-MAN, which is artificial and robotics consciousness conference in Japan. Current, these of this conference is ‘Interaction with Socially Embedded Robots’ and the duration of the conference is August 31 2015 to September 4, 2015.

United Hackers Given Million Free Flight Miles

United Continental Holdings, a US airline has rewarded the two hackers under their bug bounty program because they have spotted security holes in the company website and they disclose the security flaw privately rather than sharing it online.

As a part of reward hackers have received the maximum reward of a million miles on flight, which is worth of hundreds free domestic flights and it is for two people. According to tech experts, its big and very good step in the domain of online security. In conversation with Reuters United Continental Holdings confirmed that they have paid the reward of one millions mile to each hacker, but they didn’t respond on the tweets of individuals which is saying that they have been also paid the small cash reward. This Chicago based carrier is hoping that its bug bounty program will help the company to uncover the cyber risks in the area of airline web security. With the help of bug bounty program web researchers solved the problem before hackers can exploit them and due to that the cost is much less than hiring outside consultancies.

However; all the three major competitors of United have declined any comment on the bug bounty programs and fourth was not available for commenting. Whereas; Trade group Airlines stated that in US all the air carriers should conduct these kinds of tests to make sure that system is secure. United adopted this strategy in the month of May when due to technology glitches they have grounded its fleet more than two times. In one incident company locked its airline reservations system and prevents customers from checking in, however; due to other zapped functionality of the software this air carrier dispatches its entire flight plan. According to spokesperson of United, “We believe that with the help of this program we will continue to provide best, secure and most excellent service”.

Jordan Wiens, who is working on the cyber vulnerabilities, tweeted that last month he received a reward of 1 million miles from United for exposing a security flaw which can allow hackers to control the website of airline. The more he added in an interview that there are not many companies in industry which are doing bug bounty programs, however; according to Wiens it’s normal for big companies such as; United to offer bug bounty program for their websites. Beyond the bug bounty program, United stated that its perfect test system which internally engages the cybersecurity firms to keep its website and online security secure.

According to Dr Jessica Barker, who is security consultant, “Schemes which are rewarding the hackers are perfect way to find and disclose the online security problems in right way and it help us to make the internet safe for all of us”. The more he added that bug bounty programs are common for tech companies because they understand online security and due to certain benefits now other industries are catching them.

Radio Telescope Project Array Pathfinder Picks Up Ancient Signal

Colin Murty

WA radio telescope project picked up signal – Solar System

The Square Kilometre Array – SKA, is a radio telescope project to be built in Australia and South Africa andwill have a total collecting area of around one square kilometre and operate over a huge range of frequencies. Its size will make it fifty times more sensitive from other radio instruments and would be needing a very high performance central computing engines with long haul connections having a capacity that would be more than the current global Internet traffic.

It will also be capable of surveying the sky ten thousand times faster than its earlier performance. The receiving stations spreading out to distance of around 3,000 kilometres from a concentrated central core will achieve the ability of radio astronomy to provide the highest resolution images in astronomy.

 The SKA will be built towards the southern hemisphere in sub-Saharan States with cores in South Africa and Australia, where the sight of the Milky Way Galaxy is greatest and radio interference the least. An innovative radio telescope project in remote Western Australia has picked up signal released before the solar system was born. Six from the 36 dishes of the Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder project, that are located 300 km inland from Geraldton, have captured a wisp of cosmic radio waves that have come from the galaxy PKS B1740-517 towards the southern constellation of Ara.

ASKAP – Detect Galaxies

The latest discovery has astronomers dribbling since the five-billion year old signal which portrays ASKAP, will be capable of detecting galaxies which other telescopes may not be capable of doing so. The signal tends to carry the `imprint’ of cold hydrogen gas, which is the raw material in forming stars and plenty in most galaxies which is passed through on its way here.

Astronomers are capable of detecting a galaxy from its hydrogen gas although its starlight is faint or if hidden by dust. Though it is very miniature, the signal stood our clearly in the ASKAP data. James Allison, research leader of the CSIRO comments that `this catch shows that they are going to bag a big haul of galaxies’.

While several radio telescopes are considered to be bedevilled due to radio interference, unwanted signals which muddle up the spectrum, the ASKAP site is skilfully radio quiet. ASKAP provides astronomers with a huge `net’ to search for signals, a 300 MHz wild chunk of radio spectrum for searching. Dr Allison states that there is more than what most telescopes have and it gives them a better chance in finding something new.

ASKAP Survey Focused in Detecting Galaxies

On the other hand, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Sydney, Elaine Sadler, together with a member of the research team, intends a large ASKAP survey focused in detecting several hundred galaxies. She comments that ASKAP looks at a relatively unexplored section of the radio spectrum, 700 to 1800 megahertz, which means that they will be capable of detecting hydrogen gas deeper into space due to ASKAP’s wide field of view over a much large volume than before.

 They would be hunting for galaxies which are 5 to 8 billion years old which is a timespan that represents a fifth of the history of the universe. Galaxies were making stars around ten times quicker than they did now, some ten billion years ago. On researching on galaxies five to eight billion year old, astronomers expect to comprehend why the rate has reduced.

Professor Sadler states that they want to learn how much hydrogen galaxies had in this period for the formation of stars and till now they had few tools in doing so. The Square Kilometre Array would be 50 times much more sensitive as the best prevailing radio telescopes, comprising of thousands of connected antennas spanning WA as well as South Arica.

Sony Bravia W950c: Impressive First Look

At the beginning of this year, Google had announced its aim of working with major manufacturers to bring Android TV to the consumers. Sony being one of the partners had successfully developed and launched its range of new Android TVs based on the Google’s Android TV Platform in India.

One of a kind Android TV experience

Sony Bravia W950c is an elite Android TV in Sony’s latest range of smart TV with 13 distinct models to choose from. This Android TV greets the users with the familiar Android boot up screen flowed by text logo and comes with the latest Android 5.0.2 version. The interface is extremely pleasant and looks elegant and similar to any other Android interface.

Impressive looks and design

Sony Bravia W950c is extremely slim at 12.6 mm for the most of parts except the rear center bottom portion, which houses connectivity ports. TV possesses matte finish at the sides and bezels, which lend a superior look to the whole design.

Well-defined display

Sony Bravia W950c has a large screen of 50 inches with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It is one of the best displays available in the televisions across all the manufacturers. Sony has incorporated its latest X-Reality Pro picture engine coupled with the successful TRILUMINOS display technology. The amalgamation of these two-advanced technology results in the rendering of superiors colors, high definition clarity and much needed noise reduction, which results amazing viewing experience. The viewing angles are excellent and show vibrant colors as well as do not possess any motion blur at all.

Better connectivity options

Sony has cleverly included a variety of ports in the slim design of Bravia W950c. There are 4 HDMI ports available with one having MHL availability along with dual USB ports, Ethernet cable port and output ports for audio and headphones. It even features a built in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for better connectivity solutions. These best connectivity feature integrated in this television is the presence of built-in Google Cast which allows the users to stream as well as mirror contents directly from the Smartphone.

Do more with Android TV

Sony has almost integrated all the features available at its disposal to give a wholesome experience to its users. Sony Bravia W950c comes loaded with Android TV ON TOP OF Bravia UX, which offers a highly intuitive and simpler user interface. There are large thumbnails which bring better view and navigation of interface is smooth and sublime. Sony gives 16GB storage out of which 8 GB is available for the users to download more apps.

All the downloaded apps and installed games can be seen in the main window itself. There is Opera browser app present to facilitate the web surfing. The animations, interface, navigation and design are impressive and don’t lag at all.

Soothing audio output

Sony has integrated a soundbar style woofer, which brings out crystal clear and ambient sound quality which remains round and clear all the time. Sony has also given dual sub-woofers, which offer impressive bass levels making multimedia consumption superior on this television.