Be that as it may here's one reason (of many) I don't like or buy a new car when I want a different ride. Guess I just like to be in control of and responsible for my car's operation.

http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/0...ity/car-hack/?iid=EL

Same here!

I find all the techno-crap in new vehicles to be more of an annoying distraction than a benefit.

Like you, I'll happily do my own driving , thank you!

The article I posted was one of several which shows just how vulnerable we are to terrorists using the same hacking technology. For instance, it is perfectly feasible to take over remote control of governmental limos.

Even more alarming, is that the modern commercial passenger aircraft which have little TVs or computer wi-fi ports have a little controller under each passenger seat which is dead easy to connect to with any lap top computer or smart phone... And via said laptop or phone, it is even easy to hack into and take over the aircraft's controls. And of course, all airlines allow passengers to bring their laptops and smart phones on board with them and clear those devices right through TSA security screening.

Just this last week, the FBI had a flight from Chicago to Baltimore make an unscheduled landing enroute, and took a fellow off the plane for doing just that. Turns out he is an independent security consultant to the NSA who has been warning both the government and the airlines of that possibility for several years now, to no avail. http://www.techweekeurope.co.u...ed-off-flight-166620

This time to prove his point, he did it and tweeted what he was doing every step of the way. Someone reading his tweets on the ground alerted the F BI. It was only when the FBI took him off the plane that they discovered he was a computer security engineer/specialist, not a terrorist.

So far no terrorist is known to have done such a thing, but it is just a matter of time. In fact, I personally wonder if one or more of those missing Airbus airliners from SE Asia may have suffered exactly such a fate.

And with the recent commercialization of computer wrist watches, it will e virtually impossible to keep all passenger mini-computers off of any commercial passenger aircraft.

Scary, eh?

And here is the latest regarding the vulnerability to personal computers by aircraft in flight....

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/r...259840--finance.html

Were I to win the lotto, I'd buy an older SUV turn it over to custom shop and have it completely stripped down and rebuilt with out all the electronics. I want a good dependable truck rather the mobile entertainment center.

Jim

I still prefer my 57 Chevy although I don't drive it that often but parts these days are a problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:
Be that as it may here's one reason (of many) I don't like or buy a new car when I want a different ride. Guess I just like to be in control of and responsible for my car's operation.

http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/0...ity/car-hack/?iid=EL

Funny thing about Bob Simon, I wonder what else he was working on...

I have a 2014 Honda Odyssey. I STILL haven't figured out all the features of the car!
peter

In a similar vein, the UK railway system (railroads)are moving towards to larger, centralised computer controlled signal light systems. The new systems will allow trains to travel faster, overall, while still maintaining an adequate safety time margin between successive trains running on the same track.

This will be achieved, in part, by reducing the time interval needed between trains with the current systems by introducing, new, more efficient computer controlled train monitoring / signalling system. Hurrah!

It was recently reported in the UK that computer security services were none too keen on the idea of over reliance on automated, computerised systems which could be hacked. There still is a lot of sense in having multiple checks and balances in the system, applying human reasoning and control. The recent tragic incident with the German wings flight shows the need for other human intervention and over ride capability of automated systems.